Richards to NYR

[Monk]

Meh - anyone else see the irony that nyr buys out former dream free agent centre chris drury because his contract was too big/long, and then sign brad Richards to a 9 year 60million dollar deal.


It's too big for the length IMO. Times like this I'm thankful Burke doesnt get caught up in the rush of free agency. Happy to have my GM doing a public service, can say whatever you want, but his priorities are without reproach.

wholeheartedly agree, great job by burke in not giving in to some ludicrous contract demands, too much of a risk to sign richards to that contract until hes 40, no thx, we'll find another avenue to fill our void

[Nick]

Time to re-sign MacArthur.

[Scott]

I'm with you guys..

I was on the "No stupid contract" train with Richards as well. I was all cool with overpaying Richards on the short term. Paying him 6-8 million per season when he's in his late 30s/ early 40s wouldn't be beneficial.

I like the short term contract given to Connolly. Hopefully he can stay healthy and contribute nicely for us.

[bma]

Time to re-sign MacArthur.

Going to arbitration apparently..love the term on the Connolly deal too

[Tony]

Connolly? Mmmkay ...

[KapG]

Perfect move for this organization. Acts as a stop gap until one of Kadri or Colborne takes over.

If the term was any longer I would have had an issue with it. 2 years though? Perfect fit.

[anton]

Perfect move for this organization. Acts as a stop gap until one of Kadri or Colborne takes over.

If the term was any longer I would have had an issue with it. 2 years though? Perfect fit.

agreed. who knows, maybe he works out well and stays on as a 3rd line C in the future. solid pt producer and every buffalo fan i know says he was their best PKer for most of the year. or he produces well and we move him at the deadline a couple years from now.

either way, its a good move to make.

[KapG]

Perfect move for this organization. Acts as a stop gap until one of Kadri or Colborne takes over.

If the term was any longer I would have had an issue with it. 2 years though? Perfect fit.

agreed. who knows, maybe he works out well and stays on as a 3rd line C in the future. solid pt producer and every buffalo fan i know says he was their best PKer for most of the year. or he produces well and we move him at the deadline a couple years from now.

either way, its a good move to make.

This is one thing that I keep reading as well that I didn't really know about Connolly. Perfect because we need help on the PK lol (altho I will argue that its the passive system we use...thats another topic). I also love how he had some other offers but wanted to play for Toronto. I like that.

[MSP4LYFE]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

[anton]

at the very least he will give leaf fans a few "holy fucking shit" moments this year. guy has incredible hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIauE5XrMsk[/youtube]

[MSP4LYFE]

Yep, Conolly is not far behind Datsyuk for best hands in the NHL.

[KapG]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

speak for yourself.

im more stoked with the deal we made with connolly. Of course thats just my opinion though lol.

[shooker]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

thanks kareem. this is what I have been saying the whole day but when I say it I'm told I am a leafs basher.

[MSP4LYFE]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

thanks kareem. this is what I have been saying the whole day but when I say it I'm told I am a leafs basher.

It's not uncommon, or hard to predict. Yesterday a majority of leafs fans criticized the Habs for signing an older, injury prone Erik Cole, but today applaud the signing of Tim Conolly who is more injury prone, and less than two years older. That is not true for everyone, nor am I claiming that to be the case, but it does seem to hold true for the majority.

[MSP4LYFE]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

speak for yourself.

im more stoked with the deal we made with connolly. Of course thats just my opinion though lol.

Ok most*

[shooker]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

thanks kareem. this is what I have been saying the whole day but when I say it I'm told I am a leafs basher.

It's not uncommon, or hard to predict. Yesterday a majority of leafs fans criticized the Habs for signing an older, injury prone Erik Cole, but today applaud the signing of Tim Conolly who is more injury prone, and less than two years older. That is not true for everyone, nor am I claiming that to be the case, but it does seem to hold true for the majority.

Bingo! I am not just saying its leaf fans either. Fans always try to hide disapointment with saying they saw this coming or that they are happy with it. Case in point the same fans that after game two of the cup finals said this is our year and the nucks were taking it in 4 or 5, changed their tune and said I knew we weren't going to win because this was thomas's year. Ahh I hate using that as an example, still bitter about those finals.

I find these kinds of things pretty funny really.

[MSP4LYFE]

I find them funny too, but I would be lying if I said I did not do it as well; I think it is just an instinctive defense mechanism. My favorite is, "this is our year", followed by, "I knew we weren't going to do anything this season, Toronto fails at everything."

[KapG]

I would have paid Richards that contract, it is idiotic to think we could have signed him for anything less.

Had Brad signed in Toronto for nine seasons everyone would be stoked, and supportive of the decision. It is not surprising that the opposite holds true now that NYR has signed him, that said I am not upset with the end result; I am a little disappointed, but at the end of the day the Leafs have two #2 centerman. A definite step up from zero, and a boat load of cap space to utilize in the coming years.

Slow and steady improvement is better than standing pat, and certainly better than the regression we have become to accustomed to in Toronto.

speak for yourself.

im more stoked with the deal we made with connolly. Of course thats just my opinion though lol.

Ok most*

Thank you kareem lol

[anton]

my god HF is such a black hole of shit.

HF leaf fans: we need a center to play with kessel! NOW! BURKE CMON!

Burke: Ok, heres a 60 pt playmaking center with great PK ability

HF leaf fans: NOOO boooo terrible signing, should've saved the money and waited!!!!!!


there is only 1 brad richards and 30 nhl teams. it didn't happen. get the fuck over it.

[Robin Hood]

kareem you're wrong. if Richards signed a 9 year deal with the leafs, it would have been a terrible deal for us. i would have hated it. this team would have made the playoffs but Richards at 35 with a contract that is almost 7M would have sucked. there are other ways. connolly signing is an example of that. its more in the right direction.

and this is not to mention that the leafs can still land Paul Stastny who >>> Richards. IMO.