Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Raymond Offered Camp Invite; Bridging The Gap, Kessel’s Asking Price?

September 8, 2013, 8:12 PM ET [896 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Per TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Maple Leafs have extended a training camp invite to unrestricted free agent winger Mason Raymond.




The 27-year-old Raymond was a former draft pick of Leafs GM Dave Nonis in 2005 and scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 46 games with the Canucks last season.

*******

The Maple Leafs open their 2013-14 training camp with medical evaluations and media availability Wednesday at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON.

While the first appearance of Jonathan Bernier, David Clarkson, Dave Bolland and others in the Blue and White will be of significant interest, the expected focus of attention will undoubtedly be the status of negotiations with restricted free agents Cody Franson and Nazem Kadri, as well as any news regarding contract talks with team captain Dion Phaneuf and leading scorer Phil Kessel.

Little news was made over the weekend, while most of Leafs management was in Kadri’s hometown of London, ON at the 2013 Rookie Tournament, but the signings of Washington RFA Marcus Johansson and Phoenix’s Mikkel Boedker to two-year bridge deals further the case of Toronto trying to get the 22 year old center to take a similar deal.

The 22 year old Johansson, who scored 13 goals as a rookie and nearly doubled his point total in 2011-12 before slumping to 22 points last season, agreed to a two-year, $4 Million contract, while the 23 year old Boedker completed his fifth NHL season in 2013, scoring a career high 26 points in 48 games. The eighth pick in 2008 agreed to a two-year, $5.1 Million deal.

The reality in any negotiations with Kadri is that the Leafs cannot sign the 2009 first rounder to a long-term deal, because of their lack of available cap space this season, the sticking point is how much money he will make on this short term deal.

The Leafs reportedly are trying to get Kadri signed for less than $3 Million per season, similar to the amount Montreal’s PK Subban agreed to, while Kadri is shooting for a number closer the $3.5 Million that Colorado’s Matt Duchene received on a bridge deal last summer.

Meanwhile on the Kessel front, the Boston Globe’s Fluto Shinzawa reported on Sunday that the 25 year old winger is looking for an annual salary of $8.5 Million per season, which would be a deal similar to Anaheim winger Corey Perry’s 8 year max deal signed last March.

Shinzawa indicates that a figure north of $8 Million per season is what Kessel likely will garner on the open market and based on comments made last week, the Leafs will have to be quick on contract talks with the winger, as he stated his desire not to negotiate during the season.

m It’s fair value for Kessel, and even more so if Toronto can land a legit top-line disher. If Kessel reaches the market, it’s virtually guaranteed he’ll land a seven-year contract with an average annual value north of $8 Million.

*******

The Leafs completed the 2013 Rookie Tournament with a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators at the Budweiser Gardens in London on Sunday night, going 2-1 in the three games.

Stuart Percy, Matt Rupert scored for Toronto, while Shane Prince, Mark Stone and Vincent Dunn tallied twice for Ottawa.

2013 sixth rounder Antoine Bibeau made 27 saves in the defeat.

Defensemen Morgan Rielly and Matt Finn, Toronto’s top two picks from the 2012 Draft, did not play against Ottawa. Rielly was given the night off most likely to give another look at three free agent defensive invitees; Trevor Murphy, Kevin Raine and Zachary Yuen, while Finn was rested as a precautionary measure after suffering a shoulder stinger against Pittsburgh on Saturday.


*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******

For Those on Twitter:

KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.
Join the Discussion: » 896 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Mike Augello
» Matthews Game-Time Decision; 2023 Draftees Update; Leafs vs. Capitals
» Leafs Frustrated And Immature In Loss To Devils
» Practicing Load Management Down The Stretch; Leafs vs. Devils
» Woll Wonderful In Loss To Canes; Keefe Downplaying Samsonov Injury
» Podcast Sunday – Off The Post Radio