Maple Leafs Sign Finger, Give Defensemen A Huge Raise
The Toronto Maple Leafs only made two moves so far during today's free agent frenzy. The Joseph one I'm fine with. I'll speak more about him a little later, but right now I want to discuss Jeff Finger signing with the Maple Leafs for 4 years at $14 million dollars.
What...The...Hell.
Now, don't get me wrong Jeff Finger is a good kid. He is a tough, physical defenseman who loves to block shots and will stick up for his teammates. That's the good. He is also only 28, meaning with only 94 games under his belt, he has a lot of room to improve his game.
Now the bad. Well, did I mention he is getting $14 Million dollars?! Like I said, he is a good guy I am sure, but wow, and some fans thought four years of Kubina was a bad thing?!
Now, I should go back a little bit, because I won't throw this guy under the bus before he even laces up his skates and pulls his Blue and White jersey on. I couldn't do that to him.
But this really is the type of signing the Maple Leafs did not need.
The term is too long. The dollar amount is too large. Simply put, this is a high risk signing to be sure.
Although admittedly, Jeff Finger is for the most part a relative unknown to a lot of hockey fans, only having basically one full season under his belt in the NHL.
For all we know, he could turn out to be a hell of a pick up. Last year he blocked 100 shots, and he is a career plus 22.
But he is also receiving a massive raise. Last season Finger pulled in $475,000.
All in all I would say this is a very risky move, and Cliff Fletcher and the entire front staff better hope this deal pays off for them.
If it doesn't we are more or less back where we started. With an under performing, yet overpaid player. He doesn't have a NTC, but making 3.5 million a season, he may as well.
Joseph Back In Blue And White Makes Perfect Sense
Well, maybe not perfect sense, but it isn't a bad signing, or a step forward like some are suggesting.
Joseph is a stop-gap. Maple Leafs top prospect Justin Pogge needs another year in the AHL where he can be the full time number one guy.
With the Leafs adding Cujo, Pogge will be given that time, after all there is no need to rush Pogge, this team likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Joseph will back up Vesa Toskala this upcoming season and will likely make 15-20 starts. At year's end he will likely retire, possibly accept a position in the Maple Leafs staff, and open the door for Pogge to back up Toskala and cut his teeth in the NHL.
Final Thoughts
Well, the day isn't done. Neither is the frenzy. That is more or less just getting started.
The Maple Leafs will open the regular season October 9th against the defending champion Detroit Red Wings.
That means that Cliff Fletcher and his office staff have about three months to make this up to us Leafs fans.
With all due respect to Finger, and even though we will all welcome Joseph with open arms, this had to be a pretty disappointing day.
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3 months ago
I read on TSN the $3.5 number—I thought it was a 4 years/$3.5 mil deal. Needless to say that's what he earns per season.
I'm with you in the "um....what?" sense.
Is he the kind of defenseman they need on the Leafs? Hell yes, he's mobile and plays a good defensive game....but please do not tell me that we were swindled by a guy who made 400K last year. Seriously Fletch?
If this guy came up to me and said "I'll play for you for $3 million a year", no matter how I felt about him, I'd have to say pass.
Remember when we signed Anders Erickson? Yea, that was pretty sweet too wasn't it?
BT
3 months ago
There goes my headline haha. Looks like we'll have 4 years of 'the finger' jokes in T.O.
3 months ago
this is ridiculous did cliff take the wrong meds?????is jeff finger blackmailing cliff??strange, jfj leaf consultant??hey cliff i can play defence too....
3 months ago
Instead of getting Curtis Joseph, and Jeff Finger the Leafs could have instead picked up Ty Conklin and Mark Streit, or even Kurt Sauer (basically the same defenseman) for the same money, or less.
3 months ago
Ya cliffy was out drinking too long when he signed that deal. It didnt even make sense. 1 million per season woulda made his day let alone 3.5....ya ok. I dont get that at all. Curtis Joseph was a great sign for the leafs. He's just a back up goalie no big deal. Who wouldnt want Joseph as a back up goalie. I sure as hell would. Pure solidness between the pipes every game now. If I saw Raycroft play one more game id start taking anti depressants so lets all just be happy that joke of a goalie is gone. Boy the front office of the avs are gonna be in for a surprise when he gets in a game and falls asleep during a break away. I like how he just doesnt care...what a clown act. BYE RAYCROFT! As for a disappointing day thats a bit of a stretch to say the least. Its one day, they are doing fine and so is cliff fletcher (aside the finger signing of 3.5) Be thankful JFJ is gone and CLiff is taking care of business and is doing what is needed. Aside from that we need to start picking up some players out there. It seems like everytime there is a player for us we dont get him. We get no namer's year after year.... SOmeone in the front office be bi polar?
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