If you were an NHLer, would you sign with the Leafs?

[hap_leaf]

Name another big name free agent other then Sundin who signed here in the last ten years.

The Leafs have also been a bad team for the last 10 years. If they weren't able to sign food FA's despite being in the playoffs year after year and a great core to build around, then I'd start taking talk of "media pressure" or something else keeping free agents away seriously.

I heard Chef Ramsay wanted a long term deal.

 

[Zee]

I would totally sign in Toronto and let it be known that I'd never ever want to play for the Habs.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I know I wouldn't. A prick coach, clueless management, and a weak team that seems to be in steady decline.

I think that's why the only players the Leafs are able to sign are the old, broken types or these mediocre never-beens coming back for a second time. Even the crap players we had from last season wouldn't re-sign and I'm sure Nonis was ready to overpay for them. If the Leafs hadn't re-signed Bozak I doubt Kessel would have been back.

All in all a depressing time to be a Leaf fan.

Is it July 2nd already?



I'm pretty sure this post happens on a yearly basis.

 

[KW Sluggo]

I would totally sign in Toronto and let it be known that I'd never ever want to play for the Habs.

...but then you take a trade to a last place team in Buffalo.

 

[Bullfrog]

Pay me $3M per year and I'd play for any team in the NHL. Sure, if I had a choice, as I would as a FA, I'd have my preferences. I suspect though, the decision to play or not play in a particular city would have more to do with my family than a particular team.

 

[Optimus Reimer]

You may off not liked my previous post, I dont really care, Clarkson signed here wow, a mistake for us. Name another big name free agent other then Sundin who signed here in the last ten years.

Richards, lacavalier, Nash or St Louis, all good canadian boy who would not play in Canada or Toronto. Good Canadian boys dont want to play in Canada IMO because they dont want to deal with the press pressure.

I am not sold on the pressure thing.  Yeah playing for a Canadian hockey team will put a player in the spot light and the media in Toronto will unfairly be harsh on players for whatever reason.  Kessel scores 80 points and some media people would reverse the Kessel deal in a heart beat.  Us fans too can be unfairly harsh on players.  I thought Phaneuf played rather decently considering the system he and the other players were under, some fans will agree with that and others will not. 

The main reason why high level players will not sign with Canadian teams is they are not competitive enough to be cup contending teams.  Alfreddson signed with the Wings to try to win a cup.  Stasny signed with the Blues to try to win a cup.  Not one UFA in the past decade+ signed with the Leafs because he wanted to win a cup here.  It also does not help when the Leafs had Ferguson as GM, Peddie and Co. running the team, Wilson as a coach, Carlyle as a coach, Burke as an overinflated GM, not having a plan in place to bring the team to a level of success:  a willingness to overpay sub-par players, over-valuing players.  Does anyone know what the current plan is?  Is there a plan in place or a plan that is being developed that will make the team a cup contender within the next 5 years? 

What I would like to see is the Leafs go after a high level UFA, and I do not mean the Clarkson type, but rather players like Mike Green, David Krejci, Bobby Ryan who are all UFAs next season.  Krejci would look good centering the Kessel line, Ryan would be a good 1st or second line winger and Green is a good mobile defenceman who can help on the PP.  Show the top players that the Leafs want to contend and are willing to do what it takes, then the star players will come.
       

 

[Kin]

What I would like to see is the Leafs go after a high level UFA, and I do not mean the Clarkson type, but rather players like Mike Green, David Krejci, Bobby Ryan who are all UFAs next season.  Krejci would look good centering the Kessel line, Ryan would be a good 1st or second line winger and Green is a good mobile defenceman who can help on the PP.  Show the top players that the Leafs want to contend and are willing to do what it takes, then the star players will come.       

As reasonable as that is I still think it's fundamentally backwards. If a free agent is significantly motivated by wanting to be part of a contender then the way to sign them isn't by proving you want to contend or are willing to do what it takes, it's about actually being a contender. If the Leafs want to be able to sign the sort of deals that the Rangers or Lightning or Blues can sign, they can't put the cart before the horse.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Yes!  But my contract must come with free pizza!

....and a box of Baci!