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

[scrubadam]

The leafs have a ton of Rookies and a number of 1 year and done character with the exception of Komarov, Martin.

In this offseason we got:

1.) A potential first line centre
2.) A 1A Goalie
3.) Signed the best Dman not playing in the NHL
4.) we didn't sign old UFA to stupid length contracts for too much money

We still don't really know what we have as a team, better to see how everybody performs and potentially get another lottery pick than go all out before we have a true handle on what we have. They are only into year 2 of this rebuild. Considering we got rid of Clarkson, Phaneuf and Kessel (almost 20 million in cap soace) and all we had to do was retain 1.2 million plus we got Andersen, Rychel, Lindberg, Kapanen and another second I say they have done enough.

Not necessarily disagreeing with you, just saying that if you will sign players they should be players that move the team forward not just because you can get picks at the deadline, that is what will build a winning culture.

I am a habs fan so I have no love for leafs, but I believe that your team shouldn't be tanking anymore. Maybe they don't make the playoffs this year but each move should be about building a winning culture and moving the team forward.

 

[scrubadam]

So, we should give Russell 5x5+?

We just signed Rielly to a long term deal.

The people that invent issues with a 1 year deal on a gritty no 6 dman are out of control

Not so much, but the reasoning behind signing a player shouldn't be because you can flip him, it should be that the player will be able to help foster a winning culture and move the team forward.

I think the leafs should put tanking behind them and focus on winning. You just got the 1 draft pick. Maybe you don't make the playoffs but the team should be building a winning culture and moving forward. Flips and trade were for last year.

 

[New Leaf]

Huh?

Corrado is better than him in every important way other than hits. And he's the guy who's going to fall as a result of this stupid signing.

 

[Mattb124]

It worked out well for Polak last time too. Showed what he brought to other teams while playing for the Leafs, gets traded to a playoff team and nearly won a Stanley cup. Sure he doesn't mind doing the same song and dance again.

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

 

[scrubadam]

They should hire you, you have all the answers don't you!!!

Ha I wish, I'll take the job in a minute.

But I don't have the answers. Just think its better to sign players in the hopes to building a winning environment, rather than thinking about how many picks you can get for them at TDL. Tanking should be behind the leafs they have lots of young talent and a potential number one goaltender.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

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

 

[Hally BlackWood]

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

no the reason why the sharks lost the stanley cup is because the got out played. The team as a whole did not look like the same team that just beat the blues

 

[Alwalys]

I wonder if he's looking at a raise, players that are key contributors to cup wins usually get one.

Underrated post.

Lol very underrated

Was by far the worst defenseman in the Stanley Cup finals. Don't know why Leaf fans are happy about this.

Because you have to make the finals to have the worst defenseman in it!

 

[Incetardis]

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

I watched the series and blaming Polak is a bit of a stretch. He did look a step slow and the puck was a grenade on his stick but that could be said about 90% of the Sharks roster. Pitt smothered them with the fore check and were dominant at winning 50/50 pucks and regaining possession. Its no secret that Polak isn't the shiftiest player in the league and is prone to mistakes when pressured. I have no issues with this signing and actually predicted it. Outside of adding an elite Dman (not likely) the only other sensible move was a veteran physical RHD to play on a bottom pairing.

 

[Funk21]

Not necessarily disagreeing with you, just saying that if you will sign players they should be players that move the team forward not just because you can get picks at the deadline, that is what will build a winning culture.

I am a habs fan so I have no love for leafs, but I believe that your team shouldn't be tanking anymore. Maybe they don't make the playoffs this year but each move should be about building a winning culture and moving the team forward.

If you quoted my post then you know the team did make moves to make the team better. Like I said there is a huge number of Rookies that may or may not play with the big team. Questions like will Marner stick with the big club, what will Nylander be, defenceman Carrick.

The only FA the leafs were targeting was Stamkos and rightfully so, when that didn't pan out I think the team internally decided that it meant another year of staying the course. About the only player I would be interested would be Shattenkirk and I suspect STL will be asking for the world. The upgrade in goal, players we added and another year under Babs should add another 10 points in the standing.

Plus there is still the possibility of signing Vesey.

 

[Halla]

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

team. singular. polak was fine in the first 3 rounds.
the leafs dont need an elite top 4 guy to go up against the best teams.
2.25 is a steal and there will be another team willing to cough up a 2nd and B prospect or something at the deadline.

fin

 

[Steve]

Has Hfboards ever had a 9 page thread complaining about a rebuilding team making a 1 year depth signing at $2.25M before?

 

[Haatley]

Has Hfboards ever had a 9 page thread complaining about a rebuilding team making a 1 year depth signing at $2.25M before?

In all fairness, the first two pages were Leaf fans making jokes about "signing a second round pick".

 

[HockeyGuruPitka]

Roman Polak was one of the reasons the Sharks did not win the Stanley Cup - he and Dillon were exposed big time against the better teams.

Pittsburgh's speed exposed a lot of players in this years playoffs. Lets not forget that the leafs are not going to be competing for a Stanley cup anytime soon. Hes an effective bottom pairing player against most teams in this league.

 

[SprDaVE]

Pittsburgh's speed exposed a lot of players in this years playoffs. Lets not forget that the leafs are not going to be competing for a Stanley cup anytime soon. Hes an effective bottom pairing player against most teams in this league.

I don't like the signing too much but for 1 year... how can anyone be so against it. It's depth and it's really not that big of a deal.

We needed more NHL ready depth and he provides it. That's it.

 

[phillipmike]

Not necessarily disagreeing with you, just saying that if you will sign players they should be players that move the team forward not just because you can get picks at the deadline, that is what will build a winning culture.

I am a habs fan so I have no love for leafs, but I believe that your team shouldn't be tanking anymore. Maybe they don't make the playoffs this year but each move should be about building a winning culture and moving the team forward.

But signing players to one year deals and moving them at the deadline is moving the team forward. You get vets to play with your youngsters and if they play well you get picks for them. Picks give you ammo in trade to get players to make your team better or picks to draft which makes your team better. Why cant it be both? It does not have to be one or the other?

This team is not tanking. That is quite clear by paying the high price to get Andersen and re-signing him. If we were tanking then Bernier would be our starter. We would have also moved vets like JVR, Bozak, Leo and others but we kept them.

The Leafs are doing what they should be doing. Trying to acquire cornerstones; Anderson and Matthews. Taking chances on young players; Zaitsev and Rychel in hopes they grow with your team.

Not everyone on your team is gonna have long term deals [Florida ] you will have expiring deals sprinkled in there. Sometimes it might work in your favor as the players on expiring deals are looking for another contract in the off-season so you might get more out of them which should help you contend.

And then if you dont contend for a playoff spot then you have players on expiring deals to move at the deadline. This is the perfect approach. Outside of maybe Boedker and some smaller signings that wont impact your team all that much there isnt much the Leafs could have done in free agency without paying some ridiculous prices. Polak on a one year deal was great; maybe he gets you another 2nd at the deadline. Maybe he doesnt; but your entire D group from last season is coming back except Phaneuf with Zaitsev being the only new addition. I think that might only help you get the D going as there is only 1 new guy. Polak brings some familiarity and options on a 1 year deal.

These 1 year deals are definitely a plus as it accomplishes many of the things the Leafs should be doing and it give them flexibility if something were able to present itself.

 

[Mad Brills*]

It isn't kris russell.

/shrug.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

I don't understand letting Percy go for nothing. But signing Polak is considered a good move. I think you have to allow young players to grow and develop in NHL ultimately. One year contract is palatable. But I question this move since Polak was not very effective in his first go around as a Leaf. I don't expect it to be different a 2nd time around. Would have preferred they used his ice time developing a younger player.

 

[phillipmike]

I don't understand letting Percy go for nothing. But signing Polak is considered a good move. I think you have to allow young players to grow and develop in NHL ultimately. One year contract is palatable. But I question this move since Polak was not very effective in his first go around as a Leaf. I don't expect it to be different a 2nd time around. Would have preferred they used his ice time developing a younger player.

Guy got you two 2nds at the deadline. Seems to be doing something right.

It is quite simple; have 2 defensemen who are pretty new to the NHL in Zaitsev and Carrick. Marincin who just had his first full season. And Corrado who hasnt played much either. Putting Percy in there would give you 5 inexperienced D out of you 7 to go with a youngish Rielly and Gardiner. Not a good plan at all. Add in the notion that he did not get much opportunity because (maybe) management thought he was not good enough so why keep investing money to fix what you think is not salvageable when you can get an NHL D like Polak who you had on a one year deal who netted you two 2nds just 3 months ago.

So you get an NHL D in Polak to help you now and if you dont contend then maybe you can trade him at the deadline for a 3rd or a 2nd. Whereas you keep Percy in hopes he becomes a bottom pairing D. Better use of assets by letting him go and signing Polak.

 

[buttman*]

Has Hfboards ever had a 9 page thread complaining about a rebuilding team making a 1 year depth signing at $2.25M before?

Seriously. 1 year and 2.25 is wage for a 6-7 Dman. #4-5 Dmen are getting 5 uears and 4.5. Polak as a 6-7 is a good choice and a bargain at one year.

Haters say he played well with SJ and played well in the playoffs except for the finals. They point to that as the reason he is useless. Well, most of the Shark team including Pavelski and Thornton were TERRIBLE in the finals. I guess they are useless to.

Great signing by the Leafs. He''ll mentor and protect the young guys. Solid citizen. He'll then be shipped at the deadline for a pick. Great move.

 

[Mat Fratthouse]

I have to think they like his work ethic and veteran voice which will rub off on the younger guys, you really cant let a bunch of 19-20 year olds run the team you need guys who have have been to the play offs to show the rookies how to be pros all year on and off the ice. Do I think Roman is a long term solution or a top 4 dman...no. but do I think his commitment to being a pro player and ruggedness helps the young guys, yeah.

This crop of free agent Dmen was thin and weak so wasn't really the year to spend top dollars on vets.
as for Percy he has been here for a while now and hasnt impressed anyone so why not let him walk as a RFA and see if he can carve a career somewhere else so we can focus on the new gen of Dmen the Leafs have in the system.

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

Ha I wish, I'll take the job in a minute.

But I don't have the answers. Just think its better to sign players in the hopes to building a winning environment, rather than thinking about how many picks you can get for them at TDL. Tanking should be behind the leafs they have lots of young talent and a potential number one goaltender.

I'll agree with you 100% but also think the Polak signing is more than it appears and could be quite good. Especially if some other teams take shots at our kiddies

 

[buttman*]

team. singular. polak was fine in the first 3 rounds.
the leafs dont need an elite top 4 guy to go up against the best teams.
2.25 is a steal and there will be another team willing to cough up a 2nd and B prospect or something at the deadline.

fin

Everyone on the Sharks sucked in the last round. Some pretty big names on that list.

 

[seanlinden]

To those complaining about this deal, I ask you, what would you have preferred?

It's painfully obvious the Leafs D last year was nowhere near good enough. While yes, it will look similar to what it did last year, with the additions of Connor Carrick & Nikita Zaitsev and subtractions of Dion Phaneuf & Scott Harrington; it's better today with Polak back, as opposed to some rookie taking his place.

In addition to being poor without Polak, this D is also undersized, and lacking of a physical presence. Without Polak, the D had only 2 players over 200 lbs -- Martin Marincin @ 6'4 and 201lbs, and Morgan Rielly at 214lbs.

Is Toronto's D as good as it needs to be with Polak? definitely not, but the reality is, he's not in any way, shape or form, an inhibitor to that, and has absolutely no potential to be given his 1 year deal.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Guy got you two 2nds at the deadline. Seems to be doing something right.

It is quite simple; have 2 defensemen who are pretty new to the NHL in Zaitsev and Carrick. Marincin who just had his first full season. And Corrado who hasnt played much either. Putting Percy in there would give you 5 inexperienced D out of you 7 to go with a youngish Rielly and Gardiner. Not a good plan at all. Add in the notion that he did not get much opportunity because (maybe) management thought he was not good enough so why keep investing money to fix what you think is not salvageable when you can get an NHL D like Polak who you had on a one year deal who netted you two 2nds just 3 months ago.

So you get an NHL D in Polak to help you now and if you dont contend then maybe you can trade him at the deadline for a 3rd or a 2nd. Whereas you keep Percy in hopes he becomes a bottom pairing D. Better use of assets by letting him go and signing Polak.

I think the Reimer deal a week later may have had something to do with that 2nd, 2nd rd pick. It was obviously an overpayment, and the Reimer deal was an under payment. Unofficially the 2 deals were connected IMO. But nevertheless. Polak will be probably good for a 3rd rd pick this year given he was not very good late in the playoffs with SJ.

My point is at most a 2nd and most likely 3rd rd pick this year is worth passing up on for developing a young D man in the NHL. Gardiner is not young anymore at 26, and Rielly is entering his 4th full NHL season with 236 NHL games under his belt. The veteran presence of Dion Phaneuf did not help these 2 IMO. So it is overrated. Infact I thought both were better without Dion. I don't see the value in this move. We will disagree. I think seeing what a Percy could do or Valiev is the more prudent move in a player's development. Young players like this, are more likely going to be a part of the Leafs future than a Polak is for 60 or so games.