Heard on Episode 3.43 of AFITC
Every year in the days leading up to unrestricted free agency on July 1, the top free-agent prizes are identified—and then as sure as the sun will come up in the morning, all those top free agents are said to be bound for Toronto.
However, this time around things seem to be much different.
This year’s unrestricted free agent class is a lot weaker than in previous years. Mats Sundin will be this year’s most coveted free agent and it seems like the only place he isn’t rumored to be going is Toronto.
Other top free agents include Marian Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Kristin Huselius and Markus Naslund—none of which would I recommend general managers commit to for the long term or with significant dollars.
Many GMs turn into kids in candy stores at free agency time—eager to spend their money on as much as possible, but in the end wishing they hadn’t when they are left with queasy feelings.
Look at Ryan Smyth, considered to be a top prize a year ago. While he had a decent year with 37 points in 55 games with the Avalanche last season, I highly doubt Colorado GM Francois Giguere is too pleased with a cap hit of $6.25 million for the next four seasons.
Mats Sundin notwithstanding, the Maple Leafs should go after none of these free agents. They will not be a good team next year, and they probably will not be a good team the following year. Burdening themselves down with large, unwieldy contracts at this stage of the game would only hamper the rebuilding process—especially when there are still several players left remaining on the roster whose contracts the Maple Leafs are trying to get rid of.
A backup netminder? Fine. One or two serviceable and inexpensive skaters? Fine. $8 million a season for four years to Marian Hossa? Forget it, Cliff. Now is certainly not the time. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.
20 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Andre Belliveau about 1 year ago
this is a stupid article, no offense but its completely wrong if anything the free agency is stronger now
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
Free agency market stronger this year you say eh? Which players would you sign to significantly larger long term deals if you were a GM. And don't site Ryan Malone as an example in Tampa, not a chance is he worth the kind of money he signed for.
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Mikey Tolvo about 1 year ago
So your saying that this years free agent market is stronger. I would take Drury, Gomez and Briere any day over Sundin, Jagr and Hossa.
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
Precisely Mikey...there are no players who are worth long term committments this free agency season, esepcially from the Maple Leafs
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Derek Harmsworth about 1 year ago
yeah, I like you as a writer Dave but I have never seen a more "have to state the obvious" type article.
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Josh Lewis about 1 year ago
Actually Andre, Dave is bang on. It's a weak free agent market and the Leafs are in no position to shell out big bucks on long-term contracts.
I wouldn't mind seeing them sign a couple of young, second-tier FAs like Brooks Orpik, but nothing beyond that.
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
Exactly Josh. I've heard lots of people who have said if Sundin goes, the Leafs should make a big play for Marian Hossa or Brian Campbell and spend Sundin's money that way. As far as I'm concerned that only sets back the rebuilding process and takes minutes away from young players in the organization who need to get an oppertunity.
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Laine Brown about 1 year ago
I don't think Brooks Orpik is a good idea, hes like another Hal Gill, just faster. They need a Chris Phillips/ Denis Wideman type of player. and one 20-25 goal scorer and 1 or 2 10-15 goal scorers.
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Josh Lewis about 1 year ago
If Hal Gill was faster, he'd be a pretty good defenseman. Besides, Orpik is a MUCH better hitter.
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sean isaac about 1 year ago
Andre...the other has a few good points - in regards to the sheer stupidity of MLSE investing in one of the hot market players, because exactly as he said - the team is rebuilding. If i were fletch, I'd bring in the youngest team the leafs have seen in years, with a few 'inexpensive' veterans, and win or lose, let them play it out and fight it out. Because although winning is great...losing one more year to get another key young player next year in the entry draft (cough maybe tavares?) would be key to the rebuild. Just look at other teams who had 2 or 3 first round picks in consecutive years in the top tier, or nearly consecutive years - penguins? blackhawks? capitals? Wait and see, hopefully Cliff makes the right move - and in this case it would mean no big aqcuisitions - personally.
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j smith about 1 year ago
Andre is bang on.
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Paul Barrett about 1 year ago
I say let the young kids play. Of course spending money on a Hossa or anyone else would be dumb. But why does every media outlet seem to want to write off not just next season, but the one after and the one after.... I say let the young guys run but let's try and give them some confidence. Youth and speed can go a long way as the Oilers of a few years ago proved. Let's have some optimism (even if it is typical Leaf fan false optimism) Why do all the hockey around here compete to see who can paint the most dismal outlook for our team. Go Leafs
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Alan Bass about 1 year ago
great rigamarole, dave, and this was a great episode, too. this is so sad!!! a whole summer without AFITC!!!! noooo!!!
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
haha thanks buddy
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Mikey Tolvo about 1 year ago
I agree Dave. I haven't done research, but this is a weak market, and it would pay off to sit back, sign a few less noticable players and wait till next year.
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Lucas Frankel about 1 year ago
"Mats Sundin will be this year's most coveted free agent...."
At 37, I highly doubt that's the case. I think teams would be much more happy to sign Hossa, Jagr or even Brian Campbell over Sundin, who has a 2 seasons left in him at most.
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
I think from the group of forwards available, to a team looking to strengthen themselves this off season to get in position to be a serious competitor for the Cup next season, Sundin is the guy to go after...Hossa, while a richly talented player has proven time and time again that he cannot be the go to guy on a team (hence the reason he was so successful in Pittsburgh, people looked to Crosby, Malkin and Malone well before they looked to Hossa for production). Jagr and Sundin are at the same point in their careers: limited time remaining. Any team signing either one of those players should be a team with a legitimate shot to win the Stanley Cup next season. If that's the case I would much rather sign a consistent producer, and team oriented player like Sundin as oppossed to a guy like Jagr who only plays when he feels like it (ask people from Washington).
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Rob Ellis about 1 year ago
The Toronto Maple Leafs signing ANY of those big-name free agents for the coming season would be like hiring Denzel Washington to star in a movie about.... I dunno..... DIRT? It doesn't matter how good the actors are... it's a waste of money to hire them for a "movie" script that's badly written!
Besides, signing any of them would add a few wins in the standings and that would seriously screw up the "master plan"..... to get John Tavares! Don't kid yourselves.... Fletcher knows what he's doing... and although it seems they've had their heads up their asses over the past few years.... so does MLSE!
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Lance ross about 1 year ago
Hey give your head a shake...I am not waiting another 40 years...for the leafs...you got three years cliff...Matts is your leader..sign Matts sign...your under paid but...single your rich$$$$ CLIFF sign
Naslund NOW NOW quick...Matts buddy...plus it will be the first time Matts has had a goal scorer on his wing..or put Matts on the wing and Shanny...ya another 35 goal scorer...we cant wait its...CUPTIME inTO do it now!
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Dave McCarthy about 1 year ago
I'm going to guess you dipped into the Canada Day cheer before you posted that beauty Lance? I worry your thinking of Naslund and Shanahan as they once were seven or eight years ago and not the players they are today.
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