Confirmed Signing with Link: [TOR] Roman Polak (1 year, $2.25M)

[The Winter Soldier]

And you have missed mine. I am not advocating for 1 point of keeping Polak, i have several;

1. Leadership and experience
2. Familiarity
3. A great plan B; can be trade for a 2nd at the deadline

You are just focusing on 1 of my points when there are several pros. If we went with keeping Percy then we would have had roughly 1250 games played from our 7 defensemen. Leafs have a VERY VERY inexperienced D. Outside of Rielly, Gardiner and Hunwick we have 282 NHL games played from Marincin, Corrado, Carrick, Zaitsev and who you have been advocating for Percy compared to Polak's 559 games. Only player out of that group to play a full NHL season was Maricin and that was only 65 games. If that isnt inexperienced then i dont know what it. Rielly and Gardiner only played March and April without BOTH Phaneuf and Polak. Wait until we had to play a full season with 3 only 3 D who had regular NHL minutes and in my opinion i think Rielly and Gardiner are still developing. Would have been a disaster.

"Draft/Develop/Promote" - great! love it! i want the Leafs to do that all the time. But i think it is very clear management didnt see much in Percy. They didnt draft him and he didnt have much in the form of AHL numbers. They are developing and they are spending their time and efforts developing players they think can help their NHL; Marincin, Carrick, Zaitsev and Corrado. Polak > Percy no matter how you put.

Leafs had leadership and vets last year. IE Dion, Hunwick, Polak, and even before this with Robidas.

I believe they had guys they could have promoted now that Rielly is 22 and Gardiner is 26. Remember Brown, Toews and Crosby were 23, 21, and 21 when they became Captains of their teams. None of those teams suffered. It is time to let the younger vets lead as Pitt, LA, and Chicago did with their younger players.

In the end, It's not worth a major discussion since Polak in the grand scheme of hockey is not a big signing. But again, to reiterated my first post. It was a signing the miffed me for a team that was going to rebuild with youth. IE draft/develop/promote. We disagree. Time to move on. Nothing more worth adding to this.

Percy, Harrington, Valiev, Loov, ect... may all not be ready for the NHL. But then again, you never know unless they were given a chance. This is the point.

 

[Liferleafer]

Leafs had leadership and vets last year. IE Dion, Hunwick, Polak, and even before this with Robidas.

I believe they had guys they could have promoted now that Rielly is 22 and Gardiner is 26. Remember Brown, Toews and Crosby were 23, 21, and 21 when they became Captains of their teams. None of those teams suffered. It is time to let the younger vets lead as Pitt, LA, and Chicago did with their younger players.

In the end, It's not worth a major discussion since Polak in the grand scheme of hockey is not a big signing. But again, to reiterated my first post. It was a signing the miffed me for a team that was going to rebuild with youth. IE draft/develop/promote. We disagree. Time to move on. Nothing more worth adding to this.

Percy, Harrington, Valiev, Loov, ect... may all not be ready for the NHL. But then again, you never know unless they were given a chance. This is the point.

You don't think MLSE employs people who can watch development? By the way, Percy is gone (Pittsburgh) and Harrington is basically an AHL caliber Dman.

Sometimes it's just the flip flopping that gets crazy on here...if a contender signed Polak, it would be called a good depth signing....nobody would be talking about giving rookies a chance. People on this site have been telling us (Leaf fans) that you can't run a team of rookies....and yet now you are saying the opposite.

Oh...and...that Dion leadership thing?

 

[Stickpucker]

Babcock loves some Polak - he brings stability to a blue line where guys like Gardener and Reilly just aren't ready for yet.

It's short term, small cap hit and he addresses a need.

What's the problem????

Wasn't the knock in Detroit that Babs only likes 1 or 2 skills in the lineup and the rest some good corsi grinders?

 

[AvsGuy]

Surprised to see so many Leafs fans happy with this - he got exponentially worse as the playoffs went on, good luck getting even a 4th round pick for him this time around. There are younger players in Toronto who should be getting his ice time anyways.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

You don't think MLSE employs people who can watch development? By the way, Percy is gone (Pittsburgh) and Harrington is basically an AHL caliber Dman.

Sometimes it's just the flip flopping that gets crazy on here...if a contender signed Polak, it would be called a good depth signing....nobody would be talking about giving rookies a chance. People on this site have been telling us (Leaf fans) that you can't run a team of rookies....and yet now you are saying the opposite.

Oh...and...that Dion leadership thing?

You said it yourself. Do you notice your own statement and your own contradiction? Leafs are on a much different path than a contender.

Youth and development is their focus.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

You said it yourself. Do you notice your own statement and your own contradiction? Leafs are on a much different path than a contender.

Youth and development is their focus.

I find it odd you are able to point this out in others, but have a track record of being oblivious to it when doing it yourself.

 

[Raymoondo]

Surprised to see so many Leafs fans happy with this - he got exponentially worse as the playoffs went on, good luck getting even a 4th round pick for him this time around. There are younger players in Toronto who should be getting his ice time anyways.

Even if we get nothing for him this trade deadline I still like the deal. The Leafs can't rely on only young players for the entire season. He provides a veteran presence in the locker room and has good work ethic. It's only a one year deal lmao

 

[Mike Martin]

You don't think MLSE employs people who can watch development? By the way, Percy is gone (Pittsburgh) and Harrington is basically an AHL caliber Dman.

Sometimes it's just the flip flopping that gets crazy on here...if a contender signed Polak, it would be called a good depth signing....nobody would be talking about giving rookies a chance. People on this site have been telling us (Leaf fans) that you can't run a team of rookies....and yet now you are saying the opposite.

Oh...and...that Dion leadership thing?

Harrington was traded to Columbus a few weeks ago.

 

[sparxx87]

Surprised to see so many Leafs fans happy with this - he got exponentially worse as the playoffs went on, good luck getting even a 4th round pick for him this time around. There are younger players in Toronto who should be getting his ice time anyways.

Such as?

People act like he's going to be logging big minutes. He won't be, he's an insurance policy. That's it. If the Leafs have 6 better defenseman he'll be in the press box... He's a decent bottom pair defender, that's it.


Incredible that a minor signing has garnered this much attention and discussion. There's several bad contracts just signed, this isn't one of them.

 

[mashedpotato]

Wasn't the knock in Detroit that Babs only likes 1 or 2 skills in the lineup and the rest some good corsi grinders?

I'm not sure what the knock was; To be fair though, the Leaf's only have 2 skill players on the blueline at this point; The rest are pretty much grinders; It's not like they've traded away skilled blueliners.... That's just what the Leaf's have in the way of assets on the blueline but not by design.

 

[Mattb124]

I thought he played decently until he faced the Penguins who just had way too much speed and exploited his below average skating

He really didn't. I don't generally like +- to assess players, but in this case it aligns with the eye test and is rather telling. Through the entire playoffs, Burns/Martin were a +29, Vlasic/Braun were a +19, and Polak/Dillon were a -10. Even prior to the SCF, that pairing wasn't holding its own in limited minutes.

He's a bottom pairing defenseman, but I have a sense that is not how Toronto will use him. And I do not think it is his skating that is so much the issue, but rather his decision-making. He is simply prone to making bad plays with a minimum of pressure.

 

[phillipmike]

Leafs had leadership and vets last year. IE Dion, Hunwick, Polak, and even before this with Robidas.

Exactly; They had leadership last year. Lost most of it in Phaneuf and Polak (others to injury). So they brought some leadership back in Polak. Always need leadership even if you lost with those guys. Leadership doesnt equal winning. Its like having another coach back there. Polak brings exactly what our d-corps didnt have; tough hitting, RHD with experience. Corrado and Carrick are the only right handers. Polak is everything Percy isnt. Isnt hard to see why they would take Polak over Percy. Its like arguing why the Leafs didnt sign Radulov over Martin. two completely different players and styles.

I believe they had guys they could have promoted now that Rielly is 22 and Gardiner is 26. Remember Brown, Toews and Crosby were 23, 21, and 21 when they became Captains of their teams. None of those teams suffered. It is time to let the younger vets lead as Pitt, LA, and Chicago did with their younger players.

Those are all forwards. Defensemen take much longer to develop. You selected teams with that were stanley cup winners. There are much more teams that had young teams that havent had much success let alone make the finals. You insulate your guys as much as possible especially on D.

In the end, It's not worth a major discussion since Polak in the grand scheme of hockey is not a big signing. But again, to reiterated my first post. It was a signing the miffed me for a team that was going to rebuild with youth. IE draft/develop/promote. We disagree. Time to move on. Nothing more worth adding to this.

Percy, Harrington, Valiev, Loov, ect... may all not be ready for the NHL. But then again, you never know unless they were given a chance. This is the point.

I dont get why it is hard to see. The Leafs are doing that they just believed that Percy wasnt anything special. Its simple, same thing happened with guys like Frattin, Bailey, Sam Carrick, Harrington etc. Dont think they can contribute then you let them go and find players that can and you can invest your time and effort on them.

You dont need to give someone time in the NHL if you dont think they are good enough. Didnt have great AHL numbers hence why he didnt get on the Leafs consistently - we had better players than him, why would he get a spot on the Leafs in 2016? You couldnt think that the Leafs would go into the season with 4 of their 7 defensemen with Marincin, Corrado, Carrick, Zatisev and Percy? That is nuts. Too much inexperience. You are setting yourself up for failure. The coaching staff his limited hours. I am sure they would rather work with 2 young players in Zaitsev and Marincin on a given night than 3 if you didnt sign Polak and went with promoting someone. Its simple math; you have a better chance at developing a smaller number of players because you can spend more time with less players - in a perfect world you have 5 experienced D and 1 you are developing. I can understand if Percy was seen as something much more but he was a 6th or 7th D at best on this team and even lower on the depth chart. Polak is a very different player than Percy; you arent swapping one out for the other eventhough Polak is better. Polak brings things to the table that Percy cannot.

Surprised to see so many Leafs fans happy with this - he got exponentially worse as the playoffs went on, good luck getting even a 4th round pick for him this time around. There are younger players in Toronto who should be getting his ice time anyways.

People said the same last deadline about Polak and the Leafs got a 2nd and more. Like it or not you just need a decent season out of him. He is exactly what teams look for at the deadline; RHD, tough, experienced, competitor etc. Same thing happened with Winnik; tough, can play centre and win draws, "playoff guy" etc. GMs make those moves looking for these type of guys all the time. As long as Polak is healthy and playing like he normally does + he is available then the Leafs will get at least a 3rd and likely a 2nd.

 

[Kurisu]

Surprised to see so many Leafs fans happy with this - he got exponentially worse as the playoffs went on, good luck getting even a 4th round pick for him this time around. There are younger players in Toronto who should be getting his ice time anyways.

I'm happy with it because it pretty much kills us from paying Russell.

 

[Rude Dog]

I'm happy with it because it pretty much kills us from paying Russell.

This multiplied by 10. Russell made zero sense for the Leafs. I was so happy when I heard they re-signed Polak because hopefully it meant they were out on Russel. That signing would have been as bad as Clarkson's. I always liked Polak. Brings decent leadership and some size.

 

[Liferleafer]

You said it yourself. Do you notice your own statement and your own contradiction? Leafs are on a much different path than a contender.

Youth and development is their focus.

And here is where you contradict yourself....you don't "develop" young defensemen by giving them 6 minutes a night on the bottom pair of an NHL team. You see, it is actually a rebuilding team that should be signing vets like Polak to 1 year deals...we won't be competing for a playoff spot anyways, and the kids can develop in the AHL.

 

[Redline]

Smart move by the leafs bringing Polak back. A physical veteran presence that is already familiar with their program.

 

[hawksrule]

When he gets moved at the tdl this year, I don't think he'll return more than a 5th. He pretty much sucks.

 

[buttman*]

When he gets moved at the tdl this year, I don't think he'll return more than a 5th. He pretty much sucks.

Filed under your 2 cents.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

And here is where you contradict yourself....you don't "develop" young defensemen by giving them 6 minutes a night on the bottom pair of an NHL team. You see, it is actually a rebuilding team that should be signing vets like Polak to 1 year deals...we won't be competing for a playoff spot anyways, and the kids can develop in the AHL.

Polak averaged 19.44 TOI with the Leafs. I am not sure where you pulled out 6 mins a night from? Carrick and Marinchin benefited when Polak was traded by averaging 16:32 to 16:46 mins of ice time. Didn't they develop well late last year as 2 young D men when room was made for them on the roster?

 

[Neutral Hockey Fan]

So some posters (we all know who, it's the same poster that has NEVER once said anything positive about the leafs) are saying the leafs should be playing young rookies bigger minutes instead of insulating them with vets.

Good idea!!! The Edmonton Oilers model. Geez, how could anything go wrong there?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

So some posters (we all know who, it's the same poster that has NEVER once said anything positive about the leafs) are saying the leafs should be playing young rookies bigger minutes instead of insulating them with vets.

Good idea!!! The Edmonton Oilers model. Geez, how could anything go wrong there?

Not sure if that was directed at me or another poster. But Just a FYI. This is the Main Board not any particular team's board. Posters that post on the main board are free to post their opinions. Maybe replying to a post and explaining how Carrick and Marinchin benefited in playing time and development when Polak was traded would be a start to a better discussion. This is evidence that the insulating with vets angle is much over emphasized. Carrick and Marinchin played very well down the stretch to almost everyone's surprise and with the opportunity they were given when Polak was traded, they are now considered a part of the Leafs future. Is this not the point?

 

[enuck]

I don't see this as a bad acquisition. The brass would be aware that his foot speed became an issue. He slots in easily bringing leadership and familiarity and will be solid. Not a bad career at all for a 6th rounder.

 

[Liferleafer]

Polak averaged 19.44 TOI with the Leafs. I am not sure where you pulled out 6 mins a night from? Carrick and Marinchin benefited when Polak was traded by averaging 16:32 to 16:46 mins of ice time. Didn't they develop well late last year as 2 young D men when room was made for them on the roster?

Because Babcock is not going to play a rookie 19+ minutes? And giving kids a bunch of minutes in games that don't matter isn't the same as playing them in games that do. Again, this is 1 year....2.25 million....not at all an issue. If our staff thought they had enough qualified Dmen, they wouldn't have made this signing. I trust them to make that evaluation....it's the reason Reimer wasn't resigned....Andersen was acquired....and Kessel/Dion were moved. Pretty sure they know what they're doing.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Because Babcock is not going to play a rookie 19+ minutes? And giving kids a bunch of minutes in games that don't matter isn't the same as playing them in games that do. Again, this is 1 year....2.25 million....not at all an issue. If our staff thought they had enough qualified Dmen, they wouldn't have made this signing. I trust them to make that evaluation....it's the reason Reimer wasn't resigned....Andersen was acquired....and Kessel/Dion were moved. Pretty sure they know what they're doing.

We know Babcock played Carrick and Marinchin played 16+ mins last year when Polak was traded. Not 6 mins a game. I think most would agree they developed fine when they were given the chance on the NHL roster. So well, they are now considered a part of the Leafs future where Lamoriello even said Carrick is one of the team's A prospects. An opportunity they probably would not have had if Polak was still on the team. This is what I am saying, and why I first posted this signing was a questionable one to me.

 

[Brewsky]

Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev, Marincin, Polak, Hunwick.

Corrado odd man out as always. Robidas is on Lou Island never to be seen again.

I really wish we can retool our D the next year either via draft or FA (too bad no Hedman).