Bernier signs [2 years, 5.8M, 2.9M AAV]

[cw]

That's about a million more than I thought he'd get.

I felt about the same.

They have $11.4 mil in cap space (ignoring Brennan deal) to sign
Kadri
Gunnarsson
Franson
Fraser
Colborne (no longer waiver exempt)
plus two more forwards to reach 14

The way Nonis is spending his cap bucks, seems pretty unlikely. In fact, it probably can't be done. Someone else has to go and the buyout period is over ....

I'm not keen on the Clarkson contract, that we couldn't upgrade on Bozak or this Bernier deal but I'll wait and see what else Nonis has up his sleeve before passing firm judgement.

 

[mr grieves]

OK but what has Bernier done to deserve it? He only has 62 games in the NHL, and with the cup champs as well, stats are probably inflated a little bit.

Basically the exact same amount that Reimer had done to earn 1.8 before he'd ever played a full season. Paying for potential didn't just get invented by Dave Nonis after 8 shots of Patron.

No... but the extra $1m was probably the Patron.

Adding in the $.5M acquisition fee, these little costs add up. Got to imagine some of the RFAs are moving, can't imagine it's much besides prospects, picks, or depth guys coming back given the limited cap space.

 

[Deebo]

1M less would put him around where Riemer signed 2 years ago, not as highly regarded and less experienced than Bernier is now. I don't think it was realistic to think that he would get that.

 

[Kin]

The way Nonis is spending his cap bucks, seems pretty unlikely. In fact, it probably can't be done. Someone else has to go and the buyout period is over ....

I really can't see Liles sticking around right now. Although with that said I think a ton of trades are going down in the next week as teams try to get under the cap.

 

[Kin]

1M less would put him around where Riemer signed 2 years ago, not as highly regarded and less experienced than Bernier is now. I don't think it was realistic to think that he would get that.

Yeah, but Reimer was a little younger. Anyways, you're probably right. I suppose part of me hoped that Bernier's attitude would be "I'll sign for whatever, I just want playing time and then I'll really earn some bank next contract" and Nonis could get him on the cheap as a result.

 

[brothert]

Sadly if he's any bit decent over the next two years, we are going to have to pay a kings ransom to keep him as he will be a UFA.

 

[princedpw]

I just did a little calculation on capgeek.  If the leafs average $3 million each for Kadri, Gunnar and Franson, and $900 for Colborne, they have just 970K left and only have 21 players signed (12 forwards, 7 D, 2 G).  I'm not seeing how this is going to work unless Kadri, Gunnar and Franson sign for less than I expect.

 

[Kin]

I just did a little calculation on capgeek.  If the leafs average $3 million each for Kadri, Gunnar and Franson, and $900 for Colborne, they have just 970K left and only have 21 players signed (12 forwards, 7 D, 2 G).  I'm not seeing how this is going to work unless Kadri, Gunnar and Franson sign for less than I expect.

Well, that or they only carry 22.

 

[Deebo]

Sadly if he's any bit decent over the next two years, we are going to have to pay a kings ransom to keep him as he will be a UFA.

He'll have one more RFA year.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

That's about a million more than I thought he'd get.

I felt about the same.

They have $11.4 mil in cap space (ignoring Brennan deal) to sign
Kadri
Gunnarsson
Franson
Fraser
Colborne (no longer waiver exempt)
plus two more forwards to reach 14

The way Nonis is spending his cap bucks, seems pretty unlikely. In fact, it probably can't be done. Someone else has to go and the buyout period is over ....

I'm not keen on the Clarkson contract, that we couldn't upgrade on Bozak or this Bernier deal but I'll wait and see what else Nonis has up his sleeve before passing firm judgement.

I would think that a package of Franson, Colborne and a high pick or good prospect should be able to return something of significance. The problem would be that we couldn't add too much salary coming back.

Hopefully some parts will move and help the cap situation (even if it's only Liles, though at his salary and the need of teams to shed salary it may not be him).

 

[ZBBM]

Nonis seems to have been pretty free with the precious cap space he clawed back by dumping Grabs.  :

You know, I'm not a hater of our GM, but these last 2 days have been underwhelming to say the least.

 

[lamajama]

Nonis seems to have been pretty free with the precious cap space he clawed back by dumping Grabs.  :

You know, I'm not a hater of our GM, but these last 2 days have been underwhelming to say the least.

I too am underwhelmed by his past days. I had posted earlier that his untypical aggressive stance didn't bode well (and wondered if Leiweke was driving this attitude) and I think that that has come true.

The Vancouver Nonis (where I live) was far more measured. I think the moves these past days will be come an issue moving forward - particularly
since he seems to be handing out $$ like he has unlimited Cap room.

Clarkson may be a good addition but to get him to come to Toronto he overpaid. UFA season is, as Burke said, where teams make the biggest mistakes.

 

[Kin]

UFA season is, as Burke said, where teams make the biggest mistakes.

Of course, Burke was speaking from experience there.

 

[GoBuds]

Based on what Bishop got seems to be market value.

I think people are going to be more than pleasantly surprised with what Bernier brings. As much as I like Reimer, I believe Bernier will earn and take over the #1 spot by seasons end.

I don't blame the fear people feel, our experience with Raycroft and Toskala plants a seed of doubt that only JB's play can erode.

At the end of the day this Leaf roster is better than others was a few weeks ago.

Thumbs up Nonis.

 

[slapshot]

That's about a million more than I thought he'd get.

I felt about the same.

They have $11.4 mil in cap space (ignoring Brennan deal) to sign
Kadri
Gunnarsson
Franson
Fraser
Colborne (no longer waiver exempt)
plus two more forwards to reach 14

The way Nonis is spending his cap bucks, seems pretty unlikely. In fact, it probably can't be done. Someone else has to go and the buyout period is over ....

I'm not keen on the Clarkson contract, that we couldn't upgrade on Bozak or this Bernier deal but I'll wait and see what else Nonis has up his sleeve before passing firm judgement.

Hi CW,
I totally respect that you've been totally committed to this site, and you made some really great and thoughtful posts. I don't think though you need to be too concerned about the above.

The Leafs have a little more than 10m left  in cap space, and essential three key guys left to get under contract: Kadri, Franson, Gunnerson. Franson has made a pittance so far in his career. About 2.5 million max should get him done. He's thrived under Carlyle (not Wilson) and grew up a Leafs fan. These factors will weigh in (see Clarkson interview). Gunnerson's comparable could easily be an Andrew Ferrence, who just signed for $3.1 m, except Ference has a cup under his belt. Give Gunner $2.8 m and he's good, it's a double on his current salary. Kadri could play a little more hardball simply because the Leafs dragged him through the mill, but a comparable (though not a forward) could be Subban, seen as a definite up and coming, but really unproven long term. Subban got $2.8 M, but give Kadri $3m for alleged pain and suffering. I would give all 3, Kadri, Gunner and Franson 2-year deals for now, though Gunner may look more long term.

That probably means about $2 m left over for Colborne and Fraser, plus a couple of extra forwards (from the Marlies) another 1m or so, which will probably run them over just a tad. Both Holzer and Brennan are showing "on the books" according to Cap Geek, but if they remain the minors those funds could be reallocated.

It will be tight, but they'll be okay.  Plus next year, Tucker, Armstrong buyouts $2m come off the books, enough to give Kessel a raise from $5.4 to $7.4 m (about what it will take).

There is another half mil coming off for Frattin and Scrivens next year, plus the cap is expected to hit around $70 m. Under that scenario, there would be enough funds for 1) phaneuf to resign around the same pay, gardiner gets big hike and Bolland gets a slight raise (all depending on performance).

I think the Leafs are in good shape actually. And, I like the way they are adding quality leadership and grit to the young core. Definitely headed in the right direction.

 

[mr grieves]

Nonis seems to have been pretty free with the precious cap space he clawed back by dumping Grabs.  :

You know, I'm not a hater of our GM, but these last 2 days have been underwhelming to say the least.

I too am underwhelmed by his past days. I had posted earlier that his untypical aggressive stance didn't bode well (and wondered if Leiweke was driving this attitude) and I think that that has come true.

The Vancouver Nonis (where I live) was far more measured. I think the moves these past days will be come an issue moving forward - particularly
since he seems to be handing out $$ like he has unlimited Cap room.

Clarkson may be a good addition but to get him to come to Toronto he overpaid. UFA season is, as Burke said, where teams make the biggest mistakes.

I think Nik's figuring how this will fit as a percentage of the cap in the next few years looks about right. Never a good idea to have bad contracts on your books and all -- they're evidence of bad signings and suggest bad management -- but this one could be managed.

It can't really be this season though... we look pretty hard up against the cap. Unless JML (on the Clarkson welcoming committee) is moved, we've got to be losing either Franson or Gunnarson for whatever we can fit under the cap. Selling the good, young, relatively cheap assets you've managed to acquire and develop low, after letting two guys that could've been turned into something a year ago walk, sort of hurts.

 

[Bonsixx]

I'm thinking (hoping?) that this is some sort of "We'll overpay a little now, and then you give us a deal when you do what we think you will..." kinda thing.

Whatever happens, it seems fairly clear Nonis is a firm believer in Bernier.

 

[mr grieves]

I'm thinking (hoping?) that this is some sort of "We'll overpay a little now, and then you give us a deal when you do what we think you will..." kinda thing.

Whatever happens, it seems fairly clear Nonis is a firm believer in Bernier.

Well, it's clearly not Nik's thing, so let's hope it's this thing.

 

[Jolly good show chaps]

If I've read this right, we can't presently afford to re-sign Kessel this year. Don't want to derail the thread but very disappointed at this.

 

[drummond]

Or Leafs simply trade Liles, if there are any takers, for very low draft pick to create more room.