Summer Signings

If you were in charge of your team this summer what three signings would you make this off-season? Here are my three FA signings for the Toronto Maple Leafs.


Tim Connolly [C]

Having spent many a game injured the Buffalo free agent could provide a good value #1 centre for a team willing to take a calculated risk. Connolly posts decent numbers with 250 points in 302 games since the lock-out and with a proven track record on the power-play his crafty stick play could help Phil Kessel develop into a 40 goal scorer. His arrival would give the Leafs special teams a timely boost with Connolly when fit also able to help out on the penalty kill.


Joni Pitkanen [D]

Joni would add a much needed scoring presence to the blue line. With Dion Phaneuf taking his time to re-emerge as premier blue chip player and Tomas Kaberle departed the Leafs could really do with Pitkanen’s offensive spark. He would also add a wealth of experience to a young D core despite only being 27 years of age himself. His defensive play is a little to be desired but a second line partner like Luke Schenn could help on that end.


Eric Belanger [C]

Being as tough as boots and taking hits as hard as nails would compliment Colby Armstrong’s pest tendencies and help his team mate keep the puck shut down as well as his mouth. Add Darryl Boyce’s emergence as real energy player to the mix and you have the making of an electric shut-down third line capable of chucking in a hundred points to the pot. The Leafs depth forwards aren’t necessarily a major issue but Belanger’s arrival would no doubt make it a roster strength.

4 days to go now! I also wouldn't mind seeing Connolly in Dallas. Brooks Laich interests me too as well as Kevin Bieksa.

I honestly think our most important signings are tying down Talbot and Kennedy

Bieksa is signing today or tomorrow, home town discount of $4m. Salo is resigning for around $2m. Ehrhoff is close to a new deal that matches Hamhuis at $4.5m.

In that case not Bieksa

The three cheapest guys I could find that I needed to fill out my roster after re-signing Leino, Powe, Simmonds and Voracek.

Teemu! Providing he doesn't decide to hang up his skates of course.

Ok so obviously I wrote this before we traded for Liles- though I still wouldn't mind Pitkanen as well!

Jonzee wrote:The three cheapest guys I could find that I needed to fill out my roster after re-signing Leino, Powe, Simmonds and Voracek.

Of course, when I said re-signing Powe, I meant trading him to Minnesota for a 3rd in 2013.

Great. Another Centre/Penalty killer down.

It's like Russian roulette... but with all the chambers loaded

Azzy Luongo wrote:Bieksa is signing today or tomorrow, home town discount of $4m. Salo is resigning for around $2m. Ehrhoff is close to a new deal that matches Hamhuis at $4.5m.

So...Bieksa's deal is apparently $4.6m for 5 years with a NTC. Fine with the term and NTC, but $4.6m? He'd been saying since Game 7 that he'd take a 'discount', but that's not very evident there Mr Bieksa

I will be suprised if The Blues take any part in free agency. Having said that, i was expecting some real movement on trade day. That amounted to shipping a 3rd to NYR for another Peoria bound possibly, maybe, if he reaches his potential.

Including bonuses we are currently at $43.6m for 17 players.
We have made qualifing offers to Oshie, Reeves and Bishop. If these figures are around $3m, $1m and $1m respectively, it would take us to the cap floor, which is where the management want us to stay!!!

I think the only way this will change is if Perron doesn't start this coming season, there is a rumour doing the rounds that any form of physical exercise brings the headaches back. It's not looking great for #57, although the conspiracy theorists are having a field day. One, has Perron sitting out next season and being released, only to start the following season elsewhere!!

I will be watching come the 1st, but, i'm not expecting a Halak style announcement of last season!!

Jonzee wrote:

Jonzee wrote:The three cheapest guys I could find that I needed to fill out my roster after re-signing Leino, Powe, Simmonds and Voracek.

Of course, when I said re-signing Powe, I meant trading him to Minnesota for a 3rd in 2013.

Great. Another Centre/Penalty killer down.

At least you re-signed Nodl? Although he's ruddy expensive, no?

I wouldn't call Nodl's
determination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UqbJka7LTA
finesse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsdYIOIydQY&feature=relmfu
and reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2v3-5bgxL0&feature=relmfu
expensive @ 845K when you consider the increased minutes he will be expected to take on this coming season.

I'm very happy with Nodl at 845k

I read a report that said $1.6m PER, not 'over the full term'. Hence my rumination. $845k is good, he must like playing there...

Jonzee wrote:I'm very happy

Quick! Someone print this out and frame it!

Anyone want chris drury on the cheap? nhl.com saying that he will be bought out by the Rangers after waiving his injury claim!

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=567644&navid=mod-rr-headlines

The FA pickings are slimmer than a post-lunch fat camp buffet.

Hey I don't get it, Dan Carcillo is looking like he will be a FA. Top class there.

Flyers have signed Jagr. Seriously, what is this? 1996?

3.3mil/1 year. Guess that means no more Leino.

Also signed Talbot. Bit happier with that one...

We've re-signed D'Agostini, which I am very happy with. Cracknell and prospect Cody Beach have also signed back on.

The only other player we appear to be tracking is Jamie Langenbrunner. Really hope this is true, he has plenty of experience and still puts up good points. Get him signed and I will be a very happy bunny

10mins later and I am not a happy bunny. For some reason Doug Armstrong has felt it wise to sign Brian Elliott. I can't F****** believe it!!!!

How the hell he thinks that Elliott is better than Conkers is beyond me. How the hell he thinks he's better than Ben' The Beast ' Bishop, is even more beyond me.

Then we have Jake Allen. Last seasons top AHL netminder. He had the best GAA in the league and won the AHL Verzina trophy. How the hell is Elliott better than that!!!

What drugs are you on 'Army?????

Glad to see someone else is not happy with a move their team made!