Reading it over again. Too many convos are going so hard to figure out what is answering what, etc...

Is your point that you don't see the Hawks, Kings or Bruins doing that Clarkson deal? Or doing a big UFA deal in general?
- charlieb83

The OP said eventually every team has to overpay in free agency...that is the point that I disagree with.

You're right....too many convo's haha.

The Hossa deal isn't a good example. There are 30 other teams in the NHL that would have signed him to that deal.

Bouwmeester.

Just sayin.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Ya and the Flames sucked with him....what's your point haha

1. Iginla/Soderburg are completely different than Clarkson, apples and oranges.

2. Carter and Richards were both signed. I wouldn't call Scuderi or Williams big free agent splash's either.

3. Again, Hossa for 5.25 vs Clarkson is a joke.

OP said every team has to eventually overpay and make big free agent splashes at some point to which I disagreed. None of your examples makes me think any different.
- The-O-G

I'd also say that the "Free Agent Splash" has been neutered by the fact that not too many FAs are of Hossa's quality.

But, to say Scudari and Williams are not big splashes? They were two of the most important players on the team that won the cup.

Iginla and Soderburg are no different at all, it's Boston making big splashes to sign the best players.

And Hossa was signed at 5.25 4 years ago. He'd get 7 or more if he signed today. Signing Clarkson and comparing him to Hossa because the dollar amounts are comparable is horrid logic. Not saying Clarkson's contract is good, but you can't compare it to Hossa.

1. Iginla/Soderburg are completely different than Clarkson, apples and oranges.

2. Carter and Richards were both signed. I wouldn't call Scuderi or Williams big free agent splash's either.

3. Again, Hossa for 5.25 vs Clarkson is a joke.

OP said every team has to eventually overpay and make big free agent splashes at some point to which I disagreed. None of your examples makes me think any different.
- The-O-G

Hossa was considered an overpayment at the time.

Kings offered megabucks to Kovalchuk.

All better than Clarkson but the act is still there. There were times in the past few years that some said Hossa is a bust and not tradeable (that's not a word is it?) and at times (usually) where he is great and well worth his deal. Still is a big splash for huge money.

The OP said eventually every team has to overpay in free agency...that is the point that I disagree with.

You're right....too many convo's haha.

The Hossa deal isn't a good example. There are 30 other teams in the NHL that would have signed him to that deal.
- The-O-G

I think UFA deals need to be looked at differently than extensions or mid-season pickups. All UFA deals are overpayments (at least the bigger names). The question just becomes, can the player play well and be serviceable. In Hossa's case - for sure. In Clarkson's case - not yet.

Also, Williams wasn't a UFA signing. He was traded from Carolina in '09 and has been there since. (I know you're not the one who said he was)

Let's be honest here. Realistically, Burke screwed this team.

Instead of doing a proper rebuild, he cut corners and now we have a system with no top-tier prospects. He put us on the fast-track to becoming a middling team.

Which is what we are today.

I'd also say that the "Free Agent Splash" has been neutered by the fact that not too many FAs are of Hossa's quality.

But, to say Scudari and Williams are not big splashes? They were two of the most important players on the team that won the cup.

Iginla and Soderburg are no different at all, it's Boston making big splashes to sign the best players.

And Hossa was signed at 5.25 4 years ago. He'd get 7 or more if he signed today. Signing Clarkson and comparing him to Hossa because the dollar amounts are comparable is horrid logic. Not saying Clarkson's contract is good, but you can't compare it to Hossa.
- Viktory

Williams was acquired via trade.

I didn't hear anyone saying OMG THE KINGS SIGNED SCUDERI WOOOOOOO (although he is an important player for them I agree)

Iginla for one year? Gimme a break.

Soderburg makes 1 mil per year.

Sure these guys are UFA signings, but apples to oranges when compared to clarkson IMO

Let's be honest here. Realistically, Burke screwed this team.

Instead of doing a proper rebuild, he cut corners and now we have a system with no top-tier prospects. He put us on the fast-track to becoming a middling team.

Which is what we are today.
- jnwood2517

...until a 3 game winning streak and then it's playoffs baby

...until a 3 game winning streak and then it's playoffs baby
- the_cause2000

Let's be honest here. Realistically, Burke screwed this team.

Instead of doing a proper rebuild, he cut corners and now we have a system with no top-tier prospects. He put us on the fast-track to becoming a middling team.

Which is what we are today.
- jnwood2517

Not sure I agree, Kessel (2006), JVR (2007), Gardiner (2008), Kadri (2009), Percy (2011), Rielly (2012) were and are all solid young pieces.

The 2010 draft being the big blemish, other than that there's nothing wrong with that collection of young talent.

1. Iginla/Soderburg are completely different than Clarkson, apples and oranges.

2. Carter and Richards were both signed. I wouldn't call Scuderi or Williams big free agent splash's either.

3. Again, Hossa for 5.25 vs Clarkson is a joke.

OP said every team has to eventually overpay and make big free agent splashes at some point to which I disagreed. None of your examples makes me think any different.
- The-O-G

You bring up Boston...

Remember when they signed Chara to a 7M/year deal?
That was their big UFA splash... he was a piece they had nowhere in the system... almost every team needs to add a big piece in UFA at some point to fill an organizational hole... and when the guys that fill that void appear, there are usually many teams after them, and it bumps up the price.

You bring up Boston...

Remember when they signed Chara to a 7M/year deal?
That was their big UFA splash... he was a piece they had nowhere in the system... almost every team needs to add a big piece in UFA at some point to fill an organizational hole... and when the guys that fill that void appear, there are usually many teams after them, and it bumps up the price.
- Feeling Glucky?

No I don't....that was 17 years ago.

Not sure I agree, Kessel (2006), JVR (2007), Gardiner (2008), Kadri (2009), Percy (2011), Rielly (2012) were and are all solid young pieces.

The 2010 draft being the big blemish, other than that there's nothing wrong with that collection of young talent.
- mykokes

Gardiner was drafted by Anaheim in 2008, had nothing to do with Toronto until he was traded in 2011.

Gardiner was drafted by Anaheim in 2008, had nothing to do with Toronto until he was traded in 2011.
- Conquest

He didn't mean Toronto drafting he just meant those draft years in general. We also didn't draft Kessel.

We lost it. Kind of like game 7 of the Stanley cup finals for Vancouver.
- Yeti1181

ouch burn!!! lol
love it!

How about get some players that play with some grit, are defensively responsible, stop turning over the puck and while they're at it - get a number one center?
- LeftCoaster

Firing Carlyle is easier.

Orr and McLaren couldn't have done that.

Gardiner was drafted by Anaheim in 2008, had nothing to do with Toronto until he was traded in 2011.
- Conquest

He was still young talent that Burke collected along the way.