Confirmed with Link: Joe Thornton to Leafs [1yr/700k]

[ItsFineImFine]

I'll go ahead and say it, I don't like it. I think Dubas did half the job. He saw we needed a change so he wisely shipped out Kapanen asap for a good deal and got something done for Johnsson too, he let Gauthier walk and looks like he's doing something similar on defence by seeking to trade one of Holl/Dermott. He recognizes the team has a problem and you can't keep going with the same lineup so he proactively made some changes.

The problem is what he's brought in. The bottom six looks bad. I don't think they just needed to add vet leadership or a big tough guy. I think they needed players like Janmark or Calvert or Paquette or Cousins who are hard-nosed players that can skate and defend and withstand physical fast-paced playoff hockey in 2020 and possibly kill penalties or an actual game. He needed to sign at least one guy like this which imo he has not yet and he needed to acquire another via trade. Maybe things work out well with Simmonds/Vesey/Thornton but I don't think that these guys will provide us with the hockey we need, they are not going to be versatile players for us, and they seemed like easy targets rather than what we actually needed.

 

[phillipmike]

Matthew's is gonna be pissed when JT passes the cup to Thornton, then Thornton passes it to Spezza...

I wonder what Paul Marner would do if Marner doesnt get the cup exactly when Matthews gets it.

 

[hotpaws]

He did not say each. You're adding that. And no, that wasn't a reasonable expectation for either JT or Matthews

on a 5 yr term Mathews cap hit is very reasonable , JT isn't worth any more than about 9m but ufa's can shop themselves to the entire league so they usually get overpaid for what they bring

 

[Dreakmur]

I wonder what Paul Marner would do if Marner doesnt get the cup exactly when Matthews gets it.

Paul will be in the ice to intercept.

 

[hotpaws]

Next time Mathews is caught with his pants down will jumbo tell him to avoid telling management like patty Marleau

Marleau wasn't with the team so the word was it was the Capt that told him to keep it to himself .

 

[WWB]

Asking the real questions: What number will he wear?

19 and 91 are taken.

97 as he did with Team Canada I suppose.

97 is my guess

 

[Antropovsky]

Or what if we did this:

Matthews - 1st overall center
Tavares - 1st overall center
Thornton - 1st overall center
Spezza - 2nd overall center

Pathetic, the best we could do is a former 2nd overall center on our fourth line. Dubas.... what the heck?

 

[Cobra777]

Depth means nothing. Quality depth means something. Signing older players is a gamble not matter how much they cost. We just traded 2 big pieces of our bottom six and got significantly slower and older.

yea cause we had sooo much success with what we had. Our team was a bunch of talented teens who now are surrounded by future hall of famer, big, outspoken and has over 1500 pts who still can play the game by being one of the best passers in the league, also a mentor center man for Austin Mathews all for 700K can't find a bargain like that anywhere. Then the other signings you add a few guys who can play and add much needed toughness to support you guessed it our young guys so they can play knowing Wayne and Bogo has their back. I also will claim that Wayner will have a comeback as a good solid player and surprise(just a good feeling). Bogo just takes nothing from no one and more than willing to rough anyone up. I remember coaches corner in 2013 when Kadri sitting in chair and Orr, McClaren I think Mark Frazier standing behind him all sporting a shiner and Kadri sayin yup these are my boys proudly like they were mafia hit men lol. So these signings will give our young core confidence both mental and physical which we were sorely lacking

 

[Sherpaderp]

Looks like we'll be able to handle a lot of injuries this year.

 

[blue stick]

I don’t hate it.

 

[A1LeafNation]

 

[Coachcorner]

yea cause we had sooo much success with what we had. Our team was a bunch of talented teens who now are surrounded by future hall of famer, big, outspoken and has over 1500 pts who still can play the game by being one of the best passers in the league, also a mentor center man for Austin Mathews all for 700K can't find a bargain like that anywhere. Then the other signings you add a few guys who can play and add much needed toughness to support you guessed it our young guys so they can play knowing Wayne and Bogo has their back. I also will claim that Wayner will have a comeback as a good solid player and surprise(just a good feeling). Bogo just takes nothing from no one and more than willing to rough anyone up. I remember coaches corner in 2013 when Kadri sitting in chair and Orr, McClaren I think Mark Frazier standing behind him all sporting a shiner and Kadri sayin yup these are my boys proudly like they were mafia hit men lol. So these signings will give our young core confidence both mental and physical which we were sorely lacking

Oh how much can a real leafs fan love THIS post sire. YOU GOT IT. That last kadri quote is so key...... that team is my favourite team since like 2009 or something like that. I loved that playoff team with those guys Orr, Mclaren, Frazer, even Brown played for us a while, just got traded in the end though. That was a real tough thug team. We almost beat the bruins then in seven games. Now we have that chance again sire We might actually do it this time with our current vets and thugs! Its gunz in the air time again baby!

 

[kilowatt]

So what are the lines gonna be?

 

[Superstar]

Another dinnertime signing.

I guess Dubas wanted this appetizer first.

Welcome home Joe .. Can't complain about this centre depth for $700k

Jumbo shrimp for appetizer?

 

[dubey]

You’re laughing now and you’ll cry later when you see the opposition skating circles around our 3rd and 4th lines.

Cry now...cry later

Only tears so far are from you lol

 

[Dayjobdave]

I wonder what Paul Marner would do if Marner doesnt get the cup exactly when Matthews gets it.

They’ll have a mini one for him

 

[Superstar]

Marleau wasn't with the team so the word was it was the Capt that told him to keep it to himself .

Leafs didn't have a captain then.

 

[Pi]

Not a "tough guy" but nobody gives Joe a face wash An interesting thing I have heard about him is that he is always the loudest guy in the dressing room and does not have a great filter (since Nazim scored his beard). Vocal isn't a thing you hear about the Leaf's locker room. Maybe that's something they need.

I'd call playing in the playoffs with an ACL and MCL injury pretty tough.

Having a guy who has high IQ and elite passing ability against 4th line pluggers that most teams ice should be beneficial.

Our depth has gone missing in the playoffs in the past years where if we don't get goals from guys like Matthews/Tavares etc, we don't get them at all. Really feel like Thornton would help guys like Robertson come along and get attention when on the ice to free up those wingers.

 

[Bushfire31]

You guys think he’s going to make his Leafs debut clean shaven?

 

[Cor]

Going to be absolutely wild when we acquire Marleau at the deadline for a 7th.

 

[Superstar]

You guys think he’s going to make his Leafs debut clean shaven?

Lou is no longer here, and Kadri is not around either to yank his beard off, so I think he keeps it.

 

[hockeywiz542]

LeBrun explains how Maple Leafs' pursuit of Thornton finally came to fruition - TSN

The Maple Leafs have been targeting Joe Thornton for several years now and it may have played a role in his decision to ultimately sign with Toronto. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBun explains the Leafs' courtship and he joins That's Hockey along with Dave Poulin to weigh in on his potential impact on the team.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

I’ve long maintained that Kyle Dubas tried some “new age” technique where he would be “friends” with his players and create a sort of “family” atmosphere. Maybe it even worked with the actual players. But their shark agents (and in some cases parents) were having none of it. Mr. Nice Guy then got taken to the cleaners in negotiations.

The result of this failed experiment was a country club atmosphere where the players cared more about their social media persona than their hockey persona. Where they flaunted their money and acted immature in “captain underpants” situations. Where they refused in embarrassing fashion to show up when rookie Kuskuo player his first game. Refused to show up when their freaking Zamboni driver was in net. Refused to play for a coach that held them accountable.

And, to his credit, it looks like Dubas (or maybe other members of the front office... Shanahan?) are trying to address it.
Surround these corrupted prima Donna spoiled brats with players like Spezza, Simmonds, and Thornton. Players that can hopefully change the dog shit care free persona of these egotistical narcissists.

And I freaking love to see it. I’m excited for the upcoming season. I’m not sure if it will work. Dubas may have ruined the core beyond repair. But at least they’re giving it a fighting chance.

 

[al secord]

Leafs didn't have a captain then.

Minor detail.

 

[fahad203]

So the answer is to trade a 26 year old #3c under control for 3 more seasons, and replace him with a league minimum 41 year old in steep decline?

Anyone care to answer me as to what happens next year? Just keep hoping for more 41 year olds?

I like the signing, but people really need to put on their thinking caps here. Most appear to be lost or stolen. Logic has left the building.

Kerfoot may not be traded. Also he's expensive for what he provides.

If Hollander projects to be what he's supposed to be, he should be ready by next year and same with Brooks.

With current cap situation you are going to see a lot of 3rd liner like Turris available. I'm not worried about that position

Our weakness has been board game and front of the net. Hence we got Vessel, Simmondds and joe.

I am not gonna cry if we lose Kerfoot.