Polak Signs 1 Year Deal

[McGarnagle]

Another kick at the can with Polak, a million times better than the rumoured interest in Russell, seems fine for a year and maybe another draft pick.

Good point, hopefully this means the rumored interest in Russell is over. I see this as a similar situation to Winnik returning last year - clearly they liked the fit in the room, and figured there was enough interest at the last trade deadline to get another asset the following year.

 

[L K]

This makes me think that Hunwick-Rielly being a thing again is more likely, so I'm guessing our blueline looks something like this right now:

Hunwick-Rielly
Gardiner-Polak
Marincin-Zaitsev
Carrick-Corrado

Meh if it makes it easier to rotate youngsters in and out of the line-up as they break into the NHL, but...
Doesn't this make it pretty likely they'll lose one of Carrick or Corrado? Aren't both potential top-4 guys?
Are the Leafs so well stocked at D that they can afford losing potential top-4 contributors to play guys who might not be bottom pairing on a good team..?

Hard to say what they've got cooking but I never really saw top 4 in Corrado, Carrick maybe. They might be planning on carrying 8 D.

You kind of run into a similar problem on the forward ranks then:

Kadri, Bozak, Matthews, Laich, JVR, Lupul, Komarov, Greening, Michalek, Martin, Holland, Nylander.  Then you have Marner, Hyman, Soshnikov, Rychel, Leivo, Leipsic fighting it out for 1 spot.

I think I would sooner see them unload a guy like Hunwick so you can justify Marner as your 13th/swap in forward to save him another year of playing in the OHL.

 

[KadriFan]

I bet the top 20 players out of camp will start the season.  Nobody will be guaranteed a spot.  Of course that's just my opinion though...

 

[herman]

I keep thinking about how Babcock has constantly stressed a few things, echoed by Shannahan and Lou as well:

- needing a core of highly professional veteran players to set an example for the kids in terms of how to be what Babcock refers to as "a man"...the work ethic, dedication, etc., both on and perhaps even more importantly off the ice...Polak is a prime example of that kind of player

- needing there to be stiff competition for spots...the kids shouldn't just be handed roster spots...they need to take them away from veteran players...if a kid can do that, they'll find a way to make room for them even if it means burying a pro contract in the minors

- the Detroit model where their rookies routinely seem to be made to almost overripen in the farm system before they get their break, and when it comes it's in the form of protected minutes on lower lines or defense pairings for the first year or two until they essentially force themselves higher up the line-up

There's a real need to erase that "entitlement" attitude in the Leafs and being a bit over-stocked at all positions means you really have to bust your butt just to get a spot, and then keep busting it to keep it because there's so much competition for the job.

The Polak and Martin signings do add some grit and toughness to the lineup, but I suspect the most appealing thing about them is their work ethic and the kind of example they'll set for the kids, not that they'll "protect" the kids from any rough stuff. I don't know that Lupul or Bozak or Kadri would be poster-children for that kind of example in the way that Laich or Polak (and by reputation also Martin) are.

I can get behind this if it's truly a meritocracy.

Add Holl to the logjam.

 

[Tigger]

This makes me think that Hunwick-Rielly being a thing again is more likely, so I'm guessing our blueline looks something like this right now:

Hunwick-Rielly
Gardiner-Polak
Marincin-Zaitsev
Carrick-Corrado

Meh if it makes it easier to rotate youngsters in and out of the line-up as they break into the NHL, but...
Doesn't this make it pretty likely they'll lose one of Carrick or Corrado? Aren't both potential top-4 guys?
Are the Leafs so well stocked at D that they can afford losing potential top-4 contributors to play guys who might not be bottom pairing on a good team..?

Hard to say what they've got cooking but I never really saw top 4 in Corrado, Carrick maybe. They might be planning on carrying 8 D.

You kind of run into a similar problem on the forward ranks then:

Kadri, Bozak, Matthews, Laich, JVR, Lupul, Komarov, Greening, Michalek, Martin, Holland, Nylander.  Then you have Marner, Hyman, Soshnikov, Rychel, Leivo, Leipsic fighting it out for 1 spot.

That was already a problem but yeah, it still is one. Marner has to bring it, so there's that possibility either way, and Lupul is kind of in limbo right now too. If Holland gets dealt and Lupul can't go that opens it up a bit. It sure seems like something's gotta give in a trade.

 

[Peter D.]

This signing, just like Martin's, is pretty meh to me. But if anything, it shows that since the Leafs won't have much talent again, at least they'll work hard and make teams earn their victories.  If their work ethic rubs off on the young kids, then the value from this and Martin's signings will be seen in the long run.

 

[Tigger]

This signing, just like Martin's, is pretty meh to me. But if anything, it shows that since the Leafs won't have much talent again, at least they'll work hard and make teams earn their victories.  If their work ethic rubs off on the young kids, then the value from this and Martin's signings will be seen in the long run.

I agree. The only move that I'm not really crazy about is the Andersen trade and signing, and maybe I'm a little huh on some of the draft choices but really, things went the way I wanted them to more than not. If I'm not entirely on point with some of the moves it's in a completely different realm than the way I disagreed with past regimes, so far at least.

 

[dappleganger]

Better than signing Kris Russell to 5yr $20m contract. Agreed?

Also brings a bit more toughness.

Yes, very much agreed. Was thinking the same thing.

 

[ZBBM]

And he can skate.  I know I got ripped for saying this but I don't think my eyes deceive me THAT much.  Polak is tough and mobile, so if he's back as a 3rd pairing it's all right by me.

(Heh, I see tsn disagrees.)

 

[Tigger]

And he can skate.  I know I got ripped for saying this but I don't think my eyes deceive me THAT much.  Polak is tough and mobile, so if he's back as a 3rd pairing it's all right by me.

If he could, did, sort of, kind of bottom 6 for the Sharks in the finals, he can pretty much do what he likes in Toronto. But yeah, bottom 6.

 

[ZBBM]

And he can skate.  I know I got ripped for saying this but I don't think my eyes deceive me THAT much.  Polak is tough and mobile, so if he's back as a 3rd pairing it's all right by me.

If he could, did, sort of, kind of bottom 6 for the Sharks in the finals, he can pretty much do what he likes in Toronto. But yeah, bottom 6.

Misty had some good points in her post upthread.  This signing and Martin points to Lamoriello wanting some role models for toughness in the room.

 

[L K]

You can never confirm truth on stuff, but something like this concerns me as to where the mindset is in the front office:

https://twitter.com/HackswithHaggs/status/749433160165892096

 

[Fletch]

With Polak back, can we all agree to pretend that he was never traded away, and therefore, agree to pretend that Raffi Torres was never a member of The Maple Leafs?

I know Torres never suited up for the Leafs or even Marlies, but man, I hate that guy, and hate that he was even technically a member of the organization that I love.

 

[McGarnagle]

You can never confirm truth on stuff, but something like this concerns me as to where the mindset is in the front office:

I'm wondering if mgmt's concern at this point is about developing talent in a badly losing environment? A bottom five finish is likely with all of the kids, but a bottom five while getting blown out isn't good for anyone. I'm guessing because we have such limited veteran talent, they feel the need to get a body or two on the back end in particular, and would also explain the goaltending upgrade.

 

[herman]

You can never confirm truth on stuff, but something like this concerns me as to where the mindset is in the front office:

I'm wondering if mgmt's concern at this point is about developing talent in a badly losing environment? A bottom five finish is likely with all of the kids, but a bottom five while getting blown out isn't good for anyone. I'm guessing because we have such limited veteran talent, they feel the need to get a body or two on the back end in particular, and would also explain the goaltending upgrade.

I think Dubas is on vacation.

 

[bustaheims]

It's a one year deal, so it's not the end of the world - as long as it doesn't cost the Leafs one of their young defencemen via waivers or to a dumb "we'd lose him on waivers any way" trade. I just don't get the need. The Leafs already had 7 defencemen that were likely to crack the opening night roster.

At least, he'll probably bring back a decent pick or two at the deadline, but, still, a bit of a head scratcher.

 

[groundskeeper willie]

Any word on how much he signed for? Haven't seen that number anywhere yet.

 

[Deebo]

I just don't get the need. The Leafs already had 7 defencemen that were likely to crack the opening night roster.

How many teams only played 7 defenders last season?

 

[Tigger]

Any word on how much he signed for? Haven't seen that number anywhere yet.

2.5 from what I can tell.

 

[bustaheims]

How many teams only played 7 defenders last season?

Not many, sure, but you sign depth guys you can stash in the AHL for that, not guys that put you in a situation where you likely have to expose a quality young player to waivers.