PTO: [TOR] F Steven Lorentz, Max Pacioretty, and Jon Gillies sign PTOs with the Maple Leafs; 21 others invited to camp

[Jeune Poulet]

Im surprised Max still has gas left in the tank. He hasn't been able to stay healthy the last 6 seasons.

Pretty sure the only gas left in Pacioretty is the same kind I have when I gobble extra spicy enchiladas.

I'm sure Kyle Dubas shares some responsibility in past failures but it's pretty obvious now that the problems run deeper and the same pattern is emerging under Treliving. Top-heavy offense, and hiring high profile players who are completely cooked.

 

[Caps8112]

Like the player but he’s pretty much done.

 

[seanlinden]

I feel like part of the "thought" here... is that Matthew Knies kind of ran out of gas mid-season, while Bobby McMann was a little bit of a flash in the pan.

Pacioretty is a guy, that is 2 years removed from 19 goals in 39 games, and 24 goals in 48 the year prior.

Pacioretty is somebody that could seemingly slot into either of those top 2 LW spots on occasion.

 

[Commander Clueless]

This offseason is going according to plan for the Maple Leafs!













The plan is to get older and slower right???

It fits our identity.

The fans are getting tired. The players might as well play tired.

 

[KPower]

40 goals easy.

 

[VeteranPresence]

That's one way to look at it.

Another would be that he improved a team that finished top ten in the league last year. Did any of the nine teams that finished ahead of the Leafs also improve? As much as the Leafs? Anyone?

The Leafs projected opening night line up this year has the following changes from last year on opening night.

OUT --> IN

Bertuzzi --> McMann
Minten --> Paccioretty
Gregor --> Holmberg
Reaves --> Dewar
Brodie --> Tanev
Klingberg --> OEL
Giordano --> Benoit or Hakanpaa
Samsonov --> Stolarz
Keefe --> Berube

Any other top teams have this good of an off-season?

You do know the arrow is supposed to go towards the thing that is better, right?

 

[conFABulator]

You do know the arrow is supposed to go towards the thing that is better, right?

I actually think the "greater than sign" (>) means better, and we see (>>>>) as much better than. I think (--->) is an arrow, meaning "this to that".

 

[Bourne Endeavor]

He signed the right one agreed but 6 yrs to a guy that will turn 35 in December. Tre is counting on someone else being GM for the back end of that contract.

Toronto was desperate for a defensive specialist. It's worth the risk. Tanev's game doesn't rely on speed or physicality which are usually what diminish with age. The only real downside is it's relatively buyout proof. But 4.5M in 4-5 years won't seem that big a deal even if he becomes more of a 4th defensemen by that point.

 

[VeteranPresence]

I actually think the "greater than sign" (>) means better, and we see (>>>>) as much better than. I think (--->) is an arrow, meaning "this to that".

Okay, this better thing to this worse one, got it.

 

[Leaf Fans]

Toronto was desperate for a defensive specialist. It's worth the risk. Tanev's game doesn't rely on speed or physicality which are usually what diminish with age. The only real downside is it's relatively buyout proof. But 4.5M in 4-5 years won't seem that big a deal even if he becomes more of a 4th defensemen by that point.

For sure, the risk for the Leafs is that he plays so well in camp and another team signs him to an SPC or that he earns a contract with the Leafs. Other than that it is risk free.

 

[conFABulator]

Okay, this better thing to this worse one, got it.

Not even that. This "former" thing to this "current" thing is probably what I was going for.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

Completely washed. Desperation low risk signing in hopes that he'll somehow bounce back a bit and provide some good depth for the bottom 6 and PP. But if they're counting on him to fill a hole on this roster then they're in for a rough surprise.

 

[Dog]

Patches was absolutely abysmal in Washington. Guy looks done but I'd still play him over Ryan Reaves

I rather put Reaves out when needed for physical!

Completely washed. Desperation low risk signing in hopes that he'll somehow bounce back a bit and provide some good depth for the bottom 6 and PP. But if they're counting on him to fill a hole on this roster then they're in for a rough surprise.

Limited role if he makes it through try outs.

 

[Leafs87]

PTO is as expected and much for appropriate

 

[theMajor]

4 goals in 47 games as a 1-dimensional scorer who can't defend or hit doesn't sound good. 36 in 2 months.

However, I'm sure it's for small money, where if he sucks, his contract can be buried in the AHL with no cap it.

Really, no risk for Leafs.

hes a good leader, aside from that idk what the Leafs will benefit from by signing him. he is on the wrong side of 30 and has a pretty serious injury history

 

[Leaf Fans]

Completely washed. Desperation low risk signing in hopes that he'll somehow bounce back a bit and provide some good depth for the bottom 6 and PP. But if they're counting on him to fill a hole on this roster then they're in for a rough surprise.

They are counting on him to go to camp and attempt to earn a contract.

 

[Dog]

They are counting on him to go to camp and attempt to earn a contract.

Maybe he can help youngsters at least! Vet presence at tryout might be good!

 

[Leaf Fans]

Maybe he can help youngsters at least! Vet presence at tryout might be good!

Sure, that is something he likely can do. If he impresses he might get a contract for the year.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

That explains all those "We're Number 8!" chants I've been hearing in the city.

Alright that made me chuckle

 

[CDN24]

Toronto was desperate for a defensive specialist. It's worth the risk. Tanev's game doesn't rely on speed or physicality which are usually what diminish with age. The only real downside is it's relatively buyout proof. But 4.5M in 4-5 years won't seem that big a deal even if he becomes more of a 4th defensemen by that point.

Realistically on a contender he is a 4th D-man at this point. He will start his 5th year at age 38 and turn 39 3 months in. Not many D-men can still be a top 4 d-man at that point. Here are the list of D-men who played at age 39 last season. (ages below are last year ages)

Mark Giordano - Age 40 status Cooked
Ryan Suter - started season at age 38 turned 39 mid season - bought out by Dallas at end of season ( signed to league min contract with the Blues) Cooked
Brent Burns - started season at age 38 turned 39 mid season - Still effective as a top 4 PP
Alex Goligoski Age 38 - pretty much cooked (no contract this yr)

Thats it, that is the list of guys who played as a 38 yr old or older at some point last year.

The 37 yr olds
Jack Johnson - played for league min last year with Avs (still effective in a bottom pair role) with columbus on league min this yr
Marc Staal Played 35 games with Philly last year. Status done - retired

The back end of that contract will be ugly, only 6 guys played last year at the age he will be in year 4 of his contract, only one Brent Burns was still a top 4 D man.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Realistically on a contender he is a 4th D-man at this point. He will start his 5th year at age 38 and turn 39 3 months in. Not many D-men can still be a top 4 d-man at that point. Here are the list of D-men who played at age 39 last season. (ages below are last year ages)

Mark Giordano - Age 40 status Cooked
Ryan Suter - started season at age 38 turned 39 mid season - bought out by Dallas at end of season ( signed to league min contract with the Blues) Cooked
Brent Burns - started season at age 38 turned 39 mid season - Still effective as a top 4 PP
Alex Goligoski Age 38 - pretty much cooked (no contract this yr)

Thats it, that is the list of guys who played as a 38 yr old or older at some point last year.

The 37 yr olds
Jack Johnson - played for league min last year with Avs (still effective in a bottom pair role) with columbus on league min this yr
Marc Staal Played 35 games with Philly last year. Status done - retired

The back end of that contract will be ugly, only 6 guys played last year at the age he will be in year 4 of his contract, only one Brent Burns was still a top 4 D man.

Yea, it’s a bad contract. Somehow Leafs went from dumb to dumber as far as their GMs go. Tre has not proven that he is a smart or savvy GM yet.

 

[CDN24]

Yea, it’s a bad contract. Somehow Leafs went from dumb to dumber as far as their GMs go. Tre has not proven that he is a smart or savvy GM yet.

He is still effective but given is age I don't see how you could go past 4 years. There is no bonus money so a buyout of last 2 years is manageable. assuming they buy him out after year 4 ( before 2028-29 season) then its a 1.5M cap hit over 4 years. That has to be the out plan here.

Anyway enough hijacking the Patches thread. If healthy, Patches can probably help esp given lack of LW depth. No risk if you end up signing him for 1 year at an amount that can be buried in minors or LTIR.

 

[ranold26]

Zadorov is going to test out the stanchions in Toronto now.

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

Completely washed. Desperation low risk signing in hopes that he'll somehow bounce back a bit and provide some good depth for the bottom 6 and PP. But if they're counting on him to fill a hole on this roster then they're in for a rough surprise.

I don’t think it’s as desperate as it is “we will because we can”, but ya, don’t really see the fit. I feel like Utah, Calgary, Washington, those would be better options, but oh well.

 

[Sniper99]

Wanted Pacioretty on the Leafs about 10-12 years ago. Now? shrugs.