Leafs sign Jay McClement (2 years, 1.5 AAV)

[Kin]

In the last 4 years he's ranked 2nd, 1st, 7th and 3rd among all forwards in SH TOI per game .

Seems to be quite durable too, hasn't played less than 80 games since 2005-06.

That might have something to do with the fact that he doesn't seem to block a ton of shots.

 

[Redleaf]

Burke said the Leafs had McClement ranked as the best UFA available.  8)

 

[Etiam Vultus]

If McClement replaces Armstrong on the roster, the Leafs are saving $500,000 (taking into account the Armstrong buyout) per year and have a better player.

Not replacing Armstrong though, they are totally different players.  Looks to be replacing Connoly, Lombardi or Steckel in some capacity.

I was referring to a roster spot, not a spot in the lineup.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Burke said the Leafs had McClement ranked as the best UFA available.  8)

;D

 

[Zee]

Is he better than Dupuis?

 

[KW Sluggo]

THANK GOD!!!

Not THE Jay McClement!!!!???

Where do I begin to express my excitement.

How many other teams did we have to outbid?

A free agent gem, yet another bottom six forward (you can never have too many of them, you know).

Parise, too small.

Suter, who needs him, we are building from the goal out (Vezinas in our future, fer shur) and then from the blueline ( we know from the last 3 years just how well that has gone).

Now we have a centre.

Damn I am so x%#X happy I could cry.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

One of the few UFA's I was interested in the Leafs signing.

He was used in a very defensive role in Colorado, only starting about 35% of his shifts in the offensive zone.  Hope he helps.

 

[Bullfrog]

Sluggo's excitement aside, it does seem like a very smart signing for a decent price. It'll be nice to have a penalty kill specialist on the team.

 

[Leaflifer]

THANK GOD!!!

Not THE Jay McClement!!!!???

Where do I begin to express my excitement.

How many other teams did we have to outbid?

A free agent gem, yet another bottom six forward (you can never have too many of them, you know).

Parise, too small.

Suter, who needs him, we are building from the goal out (Vezinas in our future, fer shur) and then from the blueline ( we know from the last 3 years just how well that has gone).

Now we have a centre.

Damn I am so x%#X happy I could cry.

The best available. Burke said so.

 

[KW Sluggo]

THANK GOD!!!

Not THE Jay McClement!!!!???

Where do I begin to express my excitement.

How many other teams did we have to outbid?

A free agent gem, yet another bottom six forward (you can never have too many of them, you know).

Parise, too small.

Suter, who needs him, we are building from the goal out (Vezinas in our future, fer shur) and then from the blueline ( we know from the last 3 years just how well that has gone).

Now we have a centre.

Damn I am so x%#X happy I could cry.

The best available. Burke said so.

Then it must be true!

 

[Beowulf]

Sorry if it's already been posted but for what it's worth here's Burke's take on how things went down after day 1. Nothing surprising really.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=802&id=183435&lang=en

 

[Redleaf]

THANK GOD!!!

Not THE Jay McClement!!!!???

Where do I begin to express my excitement.

How many other teams did we have to outbid?

A free agent gem, yet another bottom six forward (you can never have too many of them, you know).

Parise, too small.

Suter, who needs him, we are building from the goal out (Vezinas in our future, fer shur) and then from the blueline ( we know from the last 3 years just how well that has gone).

Now we have a centre.

Damn I am so x%#X happy I could cry.

Yeah. I don't mind the signing either. ;D

 

[895]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

 

[bustaheims]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

You don't really understand hockey, do you?

 

[TML fan]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

You know there's 29 other teams to choose from, right? Nobody is holding a gun to your head.

 

[louisstamos]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

...in all seriousness, though - can't that be said about every single free agent, signed by every team?  They all want the players they sign to have career years...

 

[Rebel_1812]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

You know there's 29 other teams to choose from, right? Nobody is holding a gun to your head.

lashing out at someone for using sarcasm here is like giving out speeding tickets at the indy 500.

 

[Frank E]

One of the few UFA's I was interested in the Leafs signing.

He was used in a very defensive role in Colorado, only starting about 35% of his shifts in the offensive zone.  Hope he helps.

I'm just curious as to why you wanted this guy? 

I ask because I know you're into the more modern metrics of measuring performance.

 

[Rebel_1812]

Yay more no-name nobodies expected to have career years.

...in all seriousness, though - can't that be said about every single free agent, signed by every team?  They all want the players they sign to have career years...

Except when they want "comeback" years or "return to form". 

 

[moon111]

There were two things I expected out of this free agent signing period.  One, Burke to sign a much needed bottom-six forward that would be an asset on the penalty-kill.  And second, to hear fans bash Burke for not signing a big name center who would go on to smash all of Gretzky's scoring records.