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Take It To "The Bridge"; Dunleavy Gets Sabres Play By Play Job

August 8, 2013, 2:26 PM ET [628 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
For those interested in what approach the Maple Leafs will take in signing restricted free agent Nazem Kadri to a new deal in the next few weeks, you only need to take a look at the blueprint the Colorado Avalanche used with young center Matt Duchene.

Duchene was selected four picks before Kadri in the 2009 draft and made the NHL as an 18 year old, while Kadri returned for another year of junior with the London Knights. In his first two seasons, Duchene scored 51 goals, made the All-Rookie Team and played in an All-Star Game before knee and ankle injuries limited his production in 2011-12 to 28 points in 58 games.

The Avs had some leverage after Duchene’s subpar numbers and were able to ink him to a two year, $7 Million bridge deal. His response was a bounce back year in 2013, with 17 goals and 26 assists in 47 games. With three solid years of production under his belt, Colorado opened up their wallet and signed the 22 year old to a 5 year, $30 Million extension.

This off-season there are five unsigned RFA centers who are in a similar position as Duchene was last summer. Kadri, Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers, Adam Henrique of the New Jersey Devils, Cody Hodgson of the Buffalo Sabres and Marcus Johansson of the Washington Capitals.

Based on a comparative of their production as opposed to Duchene’s after the completion of his entry level deal, none of these players should earn more than $3.5 Million on a short term deal.

Matt Duchene, Colorado(drafted 2009) NHL Totals: 219 GP, 65 G, 85 A, 150 Pts = Points Per Game Avg: 0.68*
*= after 2012

Stepan(drafted 2008) NHL Totals: 212 GP, 56 G, 84 A, 140 Pts = PPG 0.66

Kadri(drafted 2009) NHL Totals: 99 GP, 26 G, 37 A, 63 Pts = PPG 0.63

Henrique(drafted 2008) NHL Totals: 117 GP, 27 G, 40 A, 67 Pts = PPG 0.57

Hodgson(drafted 2008) NHL Totals: 139 GP, 35 G, 42 A, 77 Pts = PPG 0.55

Johansson(drafted 2009) NHL Totals: 183 GP, 33 G, 62 A, 95 Pts = PPG 0.51


Stepan has been solid in three seasons with the Rangers and should earn close to Duchene’s salary. Hodgson scored 41 points as a rookie split between Vancouver and Buffalo and 34 points in 48 games as the primary playmaker for Sabres sniper Thomas Vanek, while Johansson scored 13 goals as a rookie and nearly doubled his point total in 2011-12 before slumping to 22 points in 2013.

Kadri and Henrique have put up just one season of significant production, which should limit their leverage in asking for anything north of $3 Million. Henrique scored 51 points in a wonderful rookie season which saw the Devils make the Stanley Cup Final, but scored only 16 points in 42 games in his sophomore campaign. Kadri scored only 19 points in 51 games spread over three seasons before getting regular playing time in 2013 under Randy Carlyle and finishing second on the Leafs with 44 points.

If any of these teams pay a figure over and above the bridge deal Duchene signed, then the other four teams will feel the repercussions.

*******

Congratulations to broadcaster Dan Dunleavy, who has been hired as the new play by play announcer of the Buffalo Sabres.

Rick Jeanneret, who was awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2012, has signed a three year contract extension, but will broadcast a reduced amount of games over the length of the contract before retiring at the end of 2016 and turning over the duties to Dunleavy at the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

“This decision was obviously very difficult for me to make,” Jeanneret said in a Sabres press release. “It has become a yearly deliberation, deciding if the coming year would be my last or what season I would finally step away. I initially thought doing a full year of games this coming season and then retiring was the way to go. After discussing it with my family and with the Sabres, we all thought signing this new deal was the right choice. I get to continue to do what I love while slowly reducing my workload and eventually turning the reins over to Dan, who I greatly respect and believe Sabres fans will grow to love."

Dunleavy replaced Dennis Beyak for the 2013 season as the Leafs radio voice when primary play-by-play man Joe Bowen handled television duties for Sportsnet, partnering with color commentator Jim Ralph on Sportsnet FAN 590 and TSN 1050 and was the voice of the Toronto FC Major League Soccer franchise.

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