Leafs sign Mike Komisarek...

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

...to a 5 year, $22.5 Million deal. They also traded Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton to Atlanta for (D) Garnet Exelby and Colin Stewart. This freed up cap room and added some serious toughness on defence. Oh, and they signed tough guy Colton Orr too.

The leafs are going to be a lot nastier to play against this year. Particularly on the back end. Both Komisarek and Exelby are seriously not fun to play against.

I like what Burke is doing so far.

[SilentJay]

I agree - they definately needed some grit. That said, hopefully all this grit clears the ice a bit for the few "finesse" players they have.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I agree - they definately needed some grit. That said, hopefully all this grit clears the ice a bit for the few "finesse" players they have.

I agree. Adding some high tier skill players will be the next piece of the puzzle, but I like how the foundation is being built. Let's see if Kaberle gets dealt for a skilled forward, which is what Burke has been aiming at. Expect Anton Stralman to fill in for the loss of Kaberle's skill-set and also more playing time for Ian White. At the very least, the Leafs will be a much tougher team to play against next year and will certainly make opposing players pay a price when in the Leafs end. Something that has been lacking for years now.

[SilentJay]

I was just sifting around the TSN URFA list - there is a decent amount of scoring talent available. C'mon Burkie, make good on your promises!

[b.rabbit]

I'm impressed with the moves that the Leafs, Habs, and Rangers have made.

[S.F.W.]

I think the craziest/stupidest deal of the day is another Glen Sather signing, Marion Gaborik 5/37.5 . Guy was injured most of last year, misses a chunk of games every year..
Yikes.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I'm impressed with the moves that the Leafs, Habs, and Rangers have made.

I'll preface this by saying that yes, I am perhaps biased. However, I think the Habs have not really addressed any of their key deficiencies at all. Their biggest problem as a team was an overabundance of small and skilled forwards that lacked grit and toughness. All they did was add more of the same thing in Gomez, Cammalleri and Gionta. Small and skilled forwards all. They also lost the physical backbone of their defence in Komisarek to the Leafs and a very physical, heart and soul, not to mention, vastly under-rated player in Chris Higgins. Adding Gill and Spacek is also difficult to understand. They would have been better off pursuing Francois Beauchemin once they lost Komisarek.

The only way these deals make any sense for Montreal is if they still manage to trade for a big, physically imposing number one center such as LeCavalier. However, based on the money they have already thrown around, I can't see how they will be able to manage it. $5M a year for Brian Gionta and picking up Scott Gomez's monster contract???!!! These are ludicrous decisions that smack of a desperate GM.



I think the craziest/stupidest deal of the day is another Glen Sather signing, Marion Gaborik 5/37.5 . Guy was injured most of last year, misses a chunk of games every year..
Yikes.

If Gaborik manages to stay healthy for even 70 games while playing under Torterella who utilizes his star players a ton and loves high tempo offensive hockey, well, Gaborik is going to put up some very sick numbers. This is the one guy in the NHL that can threaten Ovechkin for the goal scoring title. I agree it is a lot of money, but this signing is a high risk/high return type of scenario. Gaborik is a dynamic player who will love the big stage N.Y.C. will offer and he will be happy to get away from years of playing under Lemaire and his trapping brand of hockey. I guess time will tell whether this goes down in the annals of stupidity, or as one of the biggest bargains in the NHL.

[JamesCL]

...to a 5 year, $22.5 Million deal. They also traded Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton to Atlanta for (D) Garnet Exelby and Colin Stewart. This freed up cap room and added some serious toughness on defence. Oh, and they signed tough guy Colton Orr too.

The leafs are going to be a lot nastier to play against this year. Particularly on the back end. Both Komisarek and Exelby are seriously not fun to play against.

I like what Burke is doing so far.

No way?!??! This is great news! cant wait for the season to get started.

[2 HUGE]

finally they get rid of kubina... they should have never gotten rid of belak either... he was the only one that stuck up for the team out there... the fans loved him

[Go_Habs_Go]

As a Habs fan it hurts to see Komisarek go, but for a guy who honestly brings nothing to the table offensively (2 goals, 9 assists last year), I think 4.5 million a year is a little much.

However he will definitely be missed on the Habs blueline and I'm sorry to see him go. :-((

Good luck to you Mike in TO but I will boo you mercilessly every time you play at the Bell Centre! :chuckle

[RallyPlaya]

Its a Decent Blue line Aquistion but if you leafs Fan think this will greatly improve the team, dream on, Better make some Offensive aquisitions and get the goaltending set up before the team can think about playoffs

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

As a Habs fan it hurts to see Komisarek go, but for a guy who honestly brings nothing to the table offensively (2 goals, 9 assists last year), I think 4.5 million a year is a little much.

However he will definitely be missed on the Habs blueline and I'm sorry to see him go. :-((

Good luck to you Mike in TO but I will boo you mercilessly every time you play at the Bell Centre! :chuckle

Hey GHG,

Yah, it is a lot of money for a defensive defenceman. No argument there at all. However, there aren't too many of them in the league that offer the consistent physical element and puck blocking skills that Komisarek does. However, in a bidding war, it was probably inevitable that they would overpay... Also, the way GM's contininue to throw money around, this may not look like an overpayment of money 2 years from now. I remember everyone chastising then Leafs GM John Ferguson for signing Kaberle to a $4.25M a year deal a number of years back. He basically was ripped a new a-hole by the media and fans at the time. Guess what, that contract now is one of the bigger steals in hockey, as defencemen of Kaberle's offensive, puck-moving skill-set are all in the $5.5M to $7M a year range. i.e Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell etc.

The Leafs are at least, to date, an improved club over where they were last year and are certainly going to be much nastier to play against. This said, this is just one small part of the rebuilding and isn't likely to get them in the playoff's next year. They still need to upgrade upfront and add some true top 6 forwards and also shore up their goaltending by adding a true back-up that can push Toskala (who was playing injured most of last year...). I'd still like the Leafs to get a top 5 draft pick next year and then start adding the rest of the puzzle from there. At least Burke seems to have a plan and is building the club from the back end out. I expect to see Kaberle traded for a top 6 forward which will be the first step to increasing offence.

When I look at the Habs, I don't see an improvement. At best, I see status quo. You subtract Komisarek and add Gill and Spacek. The Habs are paying over $6M per year on these 2 players and combined I don't think they are an upgrade on Komisarek. I'd rather pay $4.5M for one Komisarek or Beauchemin thanks... P.S.- remember Patrice Brisebrois? Well, welcome Jaroslav Spacek... :chuckle

At forward, they have lost Chris Higgins, Saku Koivu (he will not be resigning after the deplorable way he has been treated) and likely stand to lose Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang and possibly Alexei Kovalev too (he is supposed to re-sign).

Cammalleri is a very good player and I like that signing, even if $6M is a lot for a career year of one point per game a season. I don't think Gionta and Gomez are much of an upgrade from Tanguay, Koivu and Lang. Again, they are just different variations of small, skilled players that are somewhat younger and with much, much bigger new contracts.

It will be an interesting season in Montreal to be sure. :)

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Its a Decent Blue line Aquistion but if you leafs Fan think this will greatly improve the team, dream on, Better make some Offensive aquisitions and get the goaltending set up before the team can think about playoffs

Greatly improve? Nope. However, it does start changing the character and identity of the team and these are great starting points to build around. The Leafs lack top 6 offensive talent and while they still scored a lot last year, they will win games for now at least by being competitive and playing solid D, by being nasty to play against and by working hard.

Give Burke time to add the rest. It won't all happen overnight or even this year for that matter. That said, I like the direction he is going and unlike some recent GM's, he seems to have a solid vision and plan.

[b.rabbit]

I don't think Gionta and Gomez are much of an upgrade from Tanguay, Koivu and Lang. Again, they are just different variations of small, skilled players that are somewhat younger and with much, much bigger new contracts.

It will be an interesting season in Montreal to be sure. :)

I agree. It will be interesting to see this new-look Habs team, with all the old veteran leaders of the team gone (Koivu and Kovalev). I think Koivu should go to the Wild and play with this brother. :P

In any case, I think what Gainey was trying to do (or at least part of what he was trying to do), was reunite Gomez and Gionta. Apparently they had career best seasons when they played together the year before Gomez left for the Rangers. So here's hoping they reignite that chemistry they had when they played for the Devils.

[Go_Habs_Go]

When I look at the Habs, I don't see an improvement. At best, I see status quo. You subtract Komisarek and add Gill and Spacek. The Habs are paying over $6M per year on these 2 players and combined I don't think they are an upgrade on Komisarek. I'd rather pay $4.5M for one Komisarek or Beauchemin thanks... P.S.- remember Patrice Brisebrois? Well, welcome Jaroslav Spacek... :chuckle

At forward, they have lost Chris Higgins, Saku Koivu (he will not be resigning after the deplorable way he has been treated) and likely stand to lose Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang and possibly Alexei Kovalev too (he is supposed to re-sign).

Cammalleri is a very good player and I like that signing, even if $6M is a lot for a career year of one point per game a season. I don't think Gionta and Gomez are much of an upgrade from Tanguay, Koivu and Lang. Again, they are just different variations of small, skilled players that are somewhat younger and with much, much bigger new contracts.

It will be an interesting season in Montreal to be sure. :)

I've had a tough time digesting all the moves Gainey made in the last few days. $107 million US in contracts yesterday alone!

BUT...if you look at each move individually and the price paid, then Gionta is really the only one I don't agree with too much. But even there it makes sense when looked at from on overall perspective. Let me explain.

1. The Habs needed to get bigger and better at centre.

Gainey has been trying for months to get Lecavalier from TB but the ownership situation there has been a disaster and they have been unable to agree on what to do with Lecavalier. Recently Len Barrie put his foot down and declared that he would not be trading Lecavalier, so that put an end to any trade possibility. What did that leave Montreal in terms of big, talented, first line centres that were available? Well there was status quo with Koivu but it was obvious Gainey was looking in another direction. There was the possibility of getting the Sedin twins but I think there too Gainey realized that the Sedins would either stay in Vancouver or go to TO to be reunited with Burke. Gainey would have had to have offered them a MASSIVE contract to get them to sign with the Habs. Briere was available from the Flyers but I agree with Gainey for staying away from him (injuries)...so what else really? There just wasn't much out there. So he decided to go with Gomez. Is Gomez equal to Lecavalier as a first line centre? No way. BUT, he has won 2 cups, is a great playmaker and still has good years ahead of him. AND while he does have a massive contract, it's only for 5 more years whereas Lecavalier was just about to start an 11 year extension. Both contracts have cap hits of about 7.5 million so in the end the Gomez's contract is far easier to accept. In the end I think Gainey made the right move here since Koivu (as much as I love him) needed to move on, the Sedins ended up re-signing with Vancouver and Lecavalier was not going to happen. So in that context I'm not unhappy with this move. What I don't like is that we gave up McDonaugh (young d-man). As for Higgins, he WAS supposed to be the heart and soul of the team but it just never happened. Trust me, from someone who follows the Habs very closely, it just never happened with Higgins that way.

2. Mike Cammaleri over Kovy, Tanguay, Gaborik, etc

If you look at last year's point production, I think Cammaleri was only second to Hossa in goals scored (40 to 39) for available free agents. He was also first or second in points. He's also had another season of 30+ goals (just 2 years ago) and he is only 27. I like this signing because I think he will complement Gomez. When you look at Gaborik at 7.5 mil a year and Havlat at 5 mil a year, the contract is not out of whack. Sure Hossa has a cap hit of only 5.25 mil a year or so but for 12 years!!! And the problem is, you HAVE to overpay guys to get them to play in Mtl with our tax burden.

I think Cammaleri was the right choice over Kovalev (love the guy but just TOO inconsistent) and Tangauy, Gaborik, etc but time will tell.

3. Brian Gionta.

Ok, this one I don't like too much. 5 mil a year is too much for this guy, even if he is only 30. BUT the x-factor is his (hopeful) chemistry with Gomez based on past success in New Jersey. Also a cup winner so that helps to have in your locker room. As I said above, not too crazy about this move because of the dollars involved, but if he works well with Gomez then it will be worth it.

Another point to make here: all this never happens without the Gomez trade. If Gomez isn't a Hab, then there is no way Cammaleri signs here and there is no way Gionta signs here either.

4. Spacek and Hill.

Yes, bring on the insults!! :chuckle I'm not overjoyed with this, why didn't the Habs go after Beauchemin??! At the same time he is still unsigned, so the Habs may still land him. Also Scuderi from Pittsburgh is still available. Anyway, I would definitely have preferred Komisarek to Gill and Spacek. The only thing I can say is that Spacek will help on the PP. On to the next point.

5. POWER-FREAKING-PLAY!!!

Think of this PP. Markov and Spacek at the points. Gomez, Cammaleri and Gionta up front mixed in occasionaly with Andrei Kostitsyn or Latendresse for size. I like this a lot. I think the Habs PP returns to where it was 2 years ago, best in the league.

6. SIZE or as I like to say: WHAT THE F**?!!

Yes. We have no size up front. Not sure what to even say here LOL! Hello Gainey!!

Ok, lots more I could say but this post is long enough!! :-)

[Unoriginalusername]

goal tending = achillies heel for the leafs imo
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rjo0411l.jpg

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

You make some good ponts GHG.

You're also right that Higgins never became the heart and soul player he could have been in Montreal, but I think that has more to do with his injuries over the past few years and the combination of coaching/management and fan regime in Montreal. If he was French canadian, it would likely be a different story. See the vastly over-rated Latendresse. Higgins will become a heart and soul player for another team. I was hoping the Leafs would get him and we almost did on a few occasions.

Losing McDonaugh was also a lot to give-up for Gomez. Time will tell if he becomes the player he is projected to be, which is a very good one.

The only signing I really like and can understand is Cammalleri. It is a lot of money for a player who has not consistently put up big numbers, but he has undeniable talent, is fiesty and can play a 2 way game. I don't think he'll repeat the same output as last year though playing in Montreal. He played with Iginla for almost all of last year and that provided him a lot of extra space and time that he will not have the luxury of with the Habs. Agree it is a lot of money, but again, a few years down the road it may be considered a good deal.

As for Gomez, he's a natural number 2 centre. He is also not as good of a puck distributor as a lot of people seem to think. Gomez likes to keep and control the puck through the offensive zone and distributes the puck near the net down low. He has almost always had a top tier sniper playing with him that plays a style where the sniper doesn't like carrying the puck and then finds a hole for Gomez to get him the puck. This is why Jagr didn't gel well with him and why he struggled in N.Y. for his brief stay there. Unfortunately, Cammalleri also likes carrying the puck which is why he worked well with Iginla, so it will be interesting to see if they gel on the ice.

What I don't see from Gainey is any semblance of an overall plan. If he couldn't get LeCavalier or trade for another number one center, why pull the trigger to get Gomez and then overpay to get Gionta hoping they can reunite the first post-lockout season magic, when most defenceman and players were still trying to figure out the new game and flow. You are essentially replacing Koivu with Gomez and Tanguay with Gionta at a significnantly higher cap hit. Is this the rebuilding plan?

In my opinion, he would have been better off just signing Cammaleri, pursuing Beauchemin or Scuderi to fill the hole left by Komisarek and then adding some role players or continuing to pursue the trule need for a big number one center.

The moves by Montreal and Gainey look like desperation and job protectionism. Both characteristics not usually applied to someone of Gainey's stature, so hopefully he still has a long range plan yet revealed... In the interim it just looks like he is making a big splash for the new owners and the fans, who are so bitterly dissapointed about the previous centennial year.

If you remember, Tampa Bay made similiar moves and signings last year to a lot of fanfare and excitement. We all know what happened there when they completely failed to address their real needs and then the players they signed were all too similiar in style, i.e. Vrbata, Prospal (apart from Malone) and failed to gel on the ice.

Anyway, the upcoming season is still a long way away and many things can happen. I the interim, I love this time of year and armchair GM'ing. :)

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

goal tending = achillies heel for the leafs imo
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/rjo0411l.jpg

Maybe... we'll know this season.

Toskala was very good to sensational in his first year with the Leafs on a very bad defensive team. He was not very good for most of last year, but was playing hurt, so perhaps not the best indication of his ability. They need to upgrade overall in net, but this will be the year, provided he gets the chance, for Toskala to prove if he is a capable number one, or not. It should be all the more telling now that the Leafs finally have a defensive corps that should be up to NHL standards.

In the interim, Burke is in Sweden courting 'The Monster' Gustaffsson as a free agent goalie and there has been a lot of talk about J.S. Gigurere coming to Toronto now that they signed Francois Allaire (the dean of butterly goalies everwhere...) as the Leafs goalie coach. I hope they don't trade for Giguere. I'd keep Toskala instead.

[Go_Habs_Go]

Hey ZZB,

I agree, there was definitely a hint of desperation in some of the moves. I wonder if Gainey reacted to the criticism he faced over the last few years where the fans and media got on his case for what they perceived was a case of him just not doing enough. He wasn't able to sign Briere a few years ago (though I'm glad he didn't!) and then he couldn't get Hossa at the trading deadline 2 years ago (went to Pittsburgh instead) and he couldn't get Sundin to come to Montreal last summer. But he still made some good moves to get Lang and Tanguay and if Lang doesn't go down last year with a torn Achilles who knows what would have happened with the way he was playing (18 goals in 40 games, stabilizing the center position for Mtl, reducing the number of minutes Koivu had to play, etc). But it's all speculation!

Either way, I think Gainey felt the pressure to make some big changes and that's what he did. Where they the right moves...? Time will tell but even as a die hard Habs fan, I'm not holding my breath!!!

In my mind, it will all come down to 1 player for the Habs: Carey Price. How will he bounce back after last year's 2nd half meltdown? If he fulfills his potential, then the Habs will be ok, even with a half decent defensive corps. If not, it doesn't matter if the Habs would have signed Maurice Richard and Larry Robinson.

You can't go anywhere without goaltending so we'll have to see how Price bounces back.

As you said, it's all armchair GM'ing at this point anyway. :)

What do you think of the Grabovski signing? 3mil a year? I like his speed and nose for the net but he's pretty small...would fit in better on the Habs lol!

[b.rabbit]

Sens just got Kovalev and the Leafs got Beauchemin.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Awesome news on Beauchemin.

Looks like Burke also managed to sign 'The Monster' too. Should be complete by end of day today. Really, really, really like the direction he is taking the team.

Leafs cage Monster
By ROB LONGLEY, SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 7th July 2009, 10:02am

It appears that the Monster will officially be a Maple Leaf by early this afternoon.

Swedish free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is believed to be working out the final details of his deal to come to Toronto on a one-year entry level contract that would give the Leafs a solid backup for Vesa Toskala and a potential No. 1 goaltender for the future.

Reached in Sweden this morning, Gustavsson's Swedish-based agent, Par Larsson refused to confirm the deal but suggested that it would be finalized by this afternoon. Another source in Sweden, said the deal is done, however.

"We will talk (about the details) when everything happens and is (final)," Larsson said from Sweden.

The acquisition of Gustavsson would cap a busy week for Leafs GM Brian Burke, who yesterday signed free-agent defenceman Francois Beauchemin from Anaheim.

Gustavsson, who played with Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League was in hot pursuit by four NHL teams. Burke may have sealed the deal by visiting the Monster personally this past week.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

What do you think of the Grabovski signing? 3mil a year? I like his speed and nose for the net but he's pretty small...would fit in better on the Habs lol!

I actually like the signing and the player too. Also, based on the money thrown around, the $2.9M is very decent and will be a steal if he continues to get better and improve upon his rookie year.

Besides, being realistic, the Leafs don't have much choice either. We are seriously lacking in top end offensive talent at the moment and Grabovski is likely the best pure skill player on the team. On a team with more depth, he's likely the #2 center, but for now, he's our top skill player.

There were a lot of question marks about him as a player when he came from Montreal and he did disappear for like 16 games, which is not that uncommon for a rookie or also if your name is Alexei Kovalev :chuckle (sorry, had too...). Wilson benched him for 3 games and also apparently sat him down and told him what it would take to play on his club. Grabovski was a completely different player after that point and really was very impressive at times. I also loved the way he fought back and reacted in those games with Montreal where he was being targeted. The little bastard atually has some grit and he didn't back down at all. I think that also impressed his team mates and the Leafs management. Anyway, at the very least, Grabovski will get a lot more room to play this year based on the Leafs new acquisitions and I dare a team like Montreal to go after him now.

The other player on the Leafs that I think has top 6 potential is John Mitchell. This kid can play and I think will be a very, very good 2 way, top 6 forward for a long time. I'm excited to see how he progresses this year.

[Iceman_F1]

Woo...sounds like it should be an interesting season to see if things start to fall in place...

[SilentJay]

I still like Jiri Tlusty - like Grabovski, I think he'll flourish with some room now.

[Unoriginalusername]

bit more fire power and we're looking good. all this spending, wonder how much cap room is left

[RedRaptor]

The Monster...good job Burke. If anything else, this will put pressure on Vesa to perform as #1. I love the fact that Burke didn't overpay for 2nd tier forwards like Havlat, Camelleri and Galbrik (by 2nd tier, I mean they are 30 goal - 70 points a season, and not 100+ points like Crosby and Ovechkin.).

We should be around the .500 mark again this season but at least we'll be a lot tougher to play against esp with the monster D.

[cwp_sedan]

I'm on bored with what he's done thus far. Great job compared to Ferguson Jr. It will take a little more time but soon we'll be able to grab some offense and be an all around good team again!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

It's now official. :)

GUSTAVSSON MAKES DECISION, SIGNS WITH MAPLE LEAFS

Swedish free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has decided to call Toronto home.

Gustavsson, who is nicknamed "The Monster," has signed a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $810,000, including a signing bonus of $90,000, to back up current starter Vesa Toskala.

The 24-year-old Gustavsson visited several NHL clubs before choosing the Maple Leafs; Colorado, San Jose and Dallas being the others interested in signing him.

Labeled the best goaltender outside of the NHL last season, the 6'3", 181 lb backstop was the top goalie in the Swedish Elite League last season while playing for Farjestad. He posted a 1.96 goals against average and a save percentage of .932 in the regular season, and led the team to the league championship this spring.

[BiG-ED]

our big gritty acquisitions on the blue line and between the pipes should really reduce our goals against allowing our offense to muster some counter attacks.

now its time for us to sign / trade for a top6 forward. we have about 13 Dmen on our active roster, and the whole speculation about kaberle on his way out troubles me
because even though we picked up solid defencemen, none of them are playmaking/quarterbacking players.

ALso, what bothers me is that the gustavsson signing is only a 1yr deal. next year, if we want to keep him depending on his play, we're gonna have to give him a way bigger salary than 810k +90 just when the proposed salary cap reduction hits.

just my $0.02

[RedRaptor]

ALso, what bothers me is that the gustavsson signing is only a 1yr deal. next year, if we want to keep him depending on his play, we're gonna have to give him a way bigger salary than 810k +90 just when the proposed salary cap reduction hits.

just my $0.02

I agree, I would like to keep Kabarle as well but he really is our only tradable asset to get a good forward.

A lot of people are saying we should have signed the Monster to a 2 or 3 year deal. What if he tanks? How many goalies have had potential but failed? Eric Fauchaud comes to mind. Justin Pogge?

A one year deal will motivate the Monster to play harder because he knows he's playing for a long term contract. If it works out, we dump Toskola and sign Monster to a long term deal worth $3-4 million and deem him our #1. If he tanks, we lose nothing.

[midnightfxgt]

^^^ Bingo!

The Monster wants to play in T.O. If he has a year worthy of re-signing, I dont think he will go anywhere. We are rebuilding, so you dont want to take him on long term, and he tanks. your stuck with $$$ invested for nothing.

-John

[cwp_sedan]

I thought they "could" only sign him to a 1 year contract anyway because of the Collective Bargaining Agreement? That's also why they are only paying him $900,000? Or is that just the minimum they can offer?


ENTRY LEVEL PLAYERS

How much can Entry Level players make?

Entry Level players will be subject to a maximum annual salary (plus signing and games played bonuses) of $850,000 for 2005 and 2006 draftees; $875,000 for 2007 and 2008 draftees; $900,000 for 2009 and 2010; and $925,000 for 2011 draftees.

The maximum combined signing bonus will be limited to 10% of the player's maximum annual compensation in any year.

Entry Level players may negotiate for performance bonuses up to a maximum of $850,000 in individual "Schedule A" bonuses per year (maximum of $212,500 per bonus). A player may also be eligible to earn individual "B" bonuses for League-wide excellence, which will, as a general matter, be paid by the League. In addition, a player will be eligible to negotiate with his club "excess" individual "B" bonuses, subject to a maximum aggregate of $2 million in any year.

How long will a player be in the Entry Level system?

Players who sign their first contract at age 18-21 are required to sign three-year Entry Level contracts; players age 22-23 will be required to sign two-year deals; and players age 24 will be required to sign a one-year Entry Level contract.

How much can unsigned players from the 2003 and 2004 Entry Drafts contract for?

Clubs may sign 2004 draftees to a maximum salary of $984,200 and 2003 draftees to a maximum salary of $942,400. These salaries are based on a 24% rollback to the maximum salary under the previous CBA for the players' respective draft years. Additionally, draftees from prior years may negotiate for a signing bonus not to exceed 30% of his maximum annual compensation. Performance bonuses may be negotiated as per new CBA rules.

http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/cba/index.html

I agree though because if he tanks, why would we want to be locked in for 2+ years.

[RedRaptor]

I am sure JFK would have signed him to a 3 to 5 year contract if he was still GM.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

our big gritty acquisitions on the blue line and between the pipes should really reduce our goals against allowing our offense to muster some counter attacks.

now its time for us to sign / trade for a top6 forward. we have about 13 Dmen on our active roster, and the whole speculation about kaberle on his way out troubles me
because even though we picked up solid defencemen, none of them are playmaking/quarterbacking players.

ALso, what bothers me is that the gustavsson signing is only a 1yr deal. next year, if we want to keep him depending on his play, we're gonna have to give him a way bigger salary than 810k +90 just when the proposed salary cap reduction hits.

just my $0.02

Good points. Burke seems to be repeating in Toronto, what he did in Anaheim. He built from the goalie and defence out and then added scoring depth. He made Anaheim a defensive team primarily, that was physically tough, mean and difficult to play against.

Beauchemin is very underrated offensively. He can move the puck well and can also be utilized on the point in a powerplay. He also has a great shot from the point. However, he didn't get much of a chance with Pronger and Niedermayer in front of him in Anaheim. If the Leafs trade Kaberle for a top six forward and I really hope they do, Ian White and Anton Stralman are both puck moving defenceman and can fill in that hole. Also, Luke Schenn may be a defensive defenceman, but he is no slouch at making good outlet passes from his zone. The Leafs will be fine in that regard and I don't think Kaberle will be missed very much. I know I certainly won't miss him defensively.

[b.rabbit]

I am sure JFK would have signed him to a 3 to 5 year contract if he was still GM.

With a no-trade clause. ;P

[cwp_sedan]

I am sure JFK would have signed him to a 3 to 5 year contract if he was still GM.

Without a doubt! :chuckle

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Without a doubt! :chuckle

Don't forget he would have also given him a no-trade clause too... :chuckle

Edit: Looks like b.rabbit already beat me to the punchline... LOL

[Go_Habs_Go]

Well I gotta say, I'm not looking really forward to playing the leafs next year. They are going to be one tough SOB team. I was really hoping the Habs would sign Beauchemin and I am not happy the buds got him instead. The leafs are going to have an impressive defence next year. Komisarek, Beauchemin and Schenn?! Maybe Kaberle too?!! That's a serious top 4. Goal scoring will be a challenge for the leafs but maybe that's where Kaberle can be used as trade bait to get a top 6 forward and draft picks in return. Kessel might not have been a bad deal for the leafs but maybe Burke can go get more for him.

Good luck with your squad guys, looks like Burke is making the right moves so far...

Despite the fact that I said I'm not really looking forward to playing the leafs next year...I actually can't wait for the first Habs-Leafs game next year!!!! :)

Let the rivalry live on!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Despite the fact that I said I'm not really looking forward to playing the leafs next year...I actually can't wait for the first Habs-Leafs game next year!!!! :)

Let the rivalry live on!

Huge +1.

[b.rabbit]

In other news, Joe Sakic is retiring today. :(

He was my all-time favourite.

[Aceius]

In other news, Joe Sakic is retiring today. :(

He was my all-time favourite.

:( Shed a tear watching the press conference, my favourite player of all time as well.

[Go_Habs_Go]

In other news, Joe Sakic is retiring today. :(

He was my all-time favourite.

I always liked Joe. Would have been great to see him at the Olympics in Vancouver but it's also nice to see him go out on his own terms.

20 years in the NHL!!! 1st ballot Hall Of Famer in my humble opinion.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I'm sorry, love the job Burke has done so far, but this is way too much to pay for Phil Kessel. If he becomes a consistent 40+ goal scorer year after year, than I eat my words, but for a team that is supposedly rebuilding, trading 2 first round picks over the next 2 years and a 2nd round pick for a one time 36 goal scorer who played with Marc Savard for a good portion of the year, just doesn't make sense...

Bruins trade Kessel to Leafs for draft picksFriday, 09.18.2009 / 11:13 PM / News By Brian Hunter -
NHL.com Staff Writer It was a difficult deal to get done, but Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke stuck with it, and on Friday night he got his man.

Burke continued his revamping of a franchise that hasn't made the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2003-04 season, acquiring 21-year-old center Phil Kessel from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a pair of first-round draft picks and a second-rounder.

The trade was contingent on Kessel signing a contract with his new team, which he did by agreeing to a deal TSN was reporting is worth $27 million over five years.

"Phil's a dynamic player," Burke told reporters following the trade. "I've had him with the U.S. National Team. He's got great food speed, he's a good power-play specialist, he's good in the shootout and he's a solid kid, so for us, it's an important day for the Leafs and we're very pleased Phil Kessel's coming to Toronto (on Saturday)."

Kessel, who turns 22 on Oct. 2, has already overcome testicular cancer and emerged as a future star in just three NHL seasons. The fifth pick in the 2006 Entry Draft debuted with the Bruins the following season and had his breakthrough year in 2008-09, scoring 36 goals as Boston finished first in the Eastern Conference.

A restricted free agent, Kessel was looking for the sort of contract the Bruins, already up against the salary cap, couldn't afford.

Toronto's interest in Kessel dates as far back as this summer's draft, when the Leafs were reportedly set to send defenseman Tomas Kaberle to the Bruins in return. Miscommunication over a draft pick to be included in the trade was blamed for it eventually falling apart, but Burke remained dogged in his pursuit. On Friday, he praised the job done by his counterpart in Boston, Peter Chiarelli, in getting the most he could in the deal.

"I think Peter Chiarelli's done as good a job as any general manager in our League the last two years," Burke said. "He was very patient and drove a very hard bargain on this. It's a very high price, but it's one we feel makes sense for us."

In the end, the Leafs will give up first- and second-round picks in the 2010 Entry Draft and another first-round pick the following year. The return for a team coming off four straight non-playoff seasons could be enormous.

Kessel has registered 66 goals and 126 points in 222 regular-season games.

His new coach, Ron Wilson, addressed the trade following Toronto's 4-3 preseason win at Pittsburgh.

"I just talked to Phil and he's very excited," Wilson said. "He was bubbling on the telephone."

The Leafs didn't have a 30-goal scorer last season. Jason Blake led the team with 25 goals.

"He's going to add some speed. He's a sniper. Obviously, if there's an area that might be lacking at the moment it would be a proven goal scorer, somebody who can make things out of nothing," Wilson said. "And that's not underestimating what I think a guy like Jason Blake can do this year or [Niklas] Hagman ... we do have 20-goal scorers in the mix. But it's nice to have somebody who's really on the upside of things, scored 36 goals last year. He only averaged 16-and-a-half minutes a game. If I can get him up in the 20-minute neighborhood, always out on the power play, I think he can be quite successful."

In 15 playoff games with the Bruins, Kessel recorded nine goals and 15 points. Boston coach Claude Julien scratched him from three games in a first-round loss to Montreal in 2008, but Kessel came back to score three goals in the series and his production took a big leap forward last season.

"Claude told me that if I play good two-way hockey, if I'm good in the defensive end, I'll get good chances in the offensive end," Kessel said midway through the season, addressing the benching and his relationship with his coach. "It was a tough situation. You never want to not play. I want to be out there, but it's his decision.

"I don't think it has changed my game, but he has distilled more good defensive awareness for myself and my line. Our whole team is playing good two-way hockey, and that's creating chances for us. The big change is I'm not cheating on the defensive side. Claude explained that it's important not to give up goals. I want to score, but we can't be giving up goals."

Rotator cuff surgery in the offseason has Kessel sidelined until at least November. He was previously awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance and dedication to hockey after returning to play in the 2006-07 season following the battle with cancer.

"I've never, ever wanted to miss a game," Kessel said last season. "I love it so much, even the bumps and bruises. I'm fortunate to not have any bad injuries so far. I just go out and play and hope nothing happens.

"You always love the game, but you don't realize how much you miss it until it is gone. You don't know what to do. I was so bored. When I look back, I couldn't be someone who doesn't play hockey. I love it so much and I missed it so much. I had to get back right away."

[Iceman_F1]

Seems pretty steep yes. However you can look at it this way. If they aren't finished with their rebuilding yet, there could be trades into the draft pick still. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out to see if it was worth the cost. Burke seems to think so.

[Unoriginalusername]

they have a young team now as it is and salary cap room, my as well score a few proven names. burke must know what hes doing so fingers crossed

[cwp_sedan]

This is Burke's big move. He always does it. He's probably not even finished yet as there are still a few extra dispensable defensemen that could be used to get another good forward or whatever. So far this is the biggest "intelligent" improvement the Leafs have had in years, and it is getting be quite excited about the upcoming season.

[Unoriginalusername]

you have to think he's still considering ditching karbrle

[1flycdnM3]

ok, i follow the Leafs just as closely (if not more) than a lot of people and just to set the record straight, Kessel drove a hard bargain, indeed! But Burke wanted him and worked even harder to get him than he did with Gustavsson. Basically he made a decision that today was his final day and he threw out all the stops. Why?? because he is rebuilding the team the way he thinks it will work (and has in the past, which most Leafs fans know about already). Truth be told, he has LOTS to work with still on the team and what he wants to do (like in his past) is build something from nothing. Sorry, I am a HUGE Leafs fan, but, let's face it, no playoff-run in 5 seasons, something has to give here. If the Leafs make it to the first round (or more), then mission accomplished... and Burke can fiddle/move/shake things up again to get what he needs (in this case, a first round draft pick). Defense is stronger than before, goaltending will be arguably better (we hope) and goal scorers with the addition of Kessel, Kadri, Bozak with Blake and Grabovski returning, should make for an exciting season. To say the least.

Incredibly impressed with what Burke has done with the team so far from skeptical beginnings since starting with the Leafs....

GO LEAFS GO!!!

[WLS ZMZM]

really if you think about it.. Leafs fans should be happy about this.. not trashing Burke... 2 first rounders and 1 second for the rights to Kessel.. is a pretty good deal... The key here is Burke locked him up for a while.. hes another young gun who should turn into quite an excellent player... while he doesnt really have the same supporting cast that he did in boston.. I think it was a great idea to bring him here... another young guy to help grow into the position, and possibly even a future leader... again.. have to look at the bigger picture... no miracle turn around for this year... just stockpiling for the next few years its how the pens did it... through young talent.. besides Burke knows what he's doing... and so far I think he's done a great job and Im a habs fan!!!

[kid_icarus]

After some careful thinking I've changed my initial reaction.

At first I agreed I thought it was a little too steep.

However i'm on board with the mentality that, when it comes to draft picks, you never know what you "might" get.

Kessel is super young, he might not be 18 like Crosby was, but he is still far far far from being anywhere close to "middle" aged.

Kessel is well proven (unless that 1 year was a total fluke) but I'm putting my money on Burke's eye for "talent".

If the leafs do WELL, they won't have a high enough draft pick to have any real "guaruntees" anyways.

I doubt the leafs are going to finish in the bottom 8 this year "crossing my fingers".

The only "issue" i might have is giving up "2" x 1st round draft picks in back to back years. (vs maybe 2010 and 2012) etc...
However, it's my belief that Kessel is a sure shot vs anything that may or may not come in the future. There are Tavares or Crosby/Malkin coming up.

I think this was the best move to get the Leafs jumpstarted.
And as some have already stated, the leafs are DEEP with young talent now, as Burke has recruited some of the best "gambles' out there.
If all plays out according to Burkes "investment" and "scouting"

We can all be in for a suprise.