I didn't pay attention to him to be honest. He is here mainly to mentor Barkov and Bjugstad. We didn't have a third line center and he fits that bill... I don't see him playing out the full term of his contract anyways.
- Panthers88

Problem is, historically he's not even been good enough to play as a 3LC, he should be a 4th liner if in the NHL at all.

He's basically replacement level, but because he played on a loaded chicago team, and scored one huge goal on a good playoff run, people assume he's worth a ton to any franchise.

(frank) that. This guy is another Fernando Pisani, but nobody has figured it out yet because he's constantly hurt.

Why would you believe a 32-year old player is more likely to improve after leaving a team than not?

Why would you even believe it's a coin flip?

I'm honestly curious.
- Travis Yost

I'm in no way condoning this signing. Had it been a million dollars less a year, most people wouldn't be talking about this. Odds are, at best, he'll be the same player playing a slightly greater role. All I'm saying is with a different coach and system, he may surprise or not. What I have a problem with, is people judging players before they even play a game for another team. When the Flames traded for Russell from St Louis, he was an average dman playing a limited role and now he's thriving g with Calgary. Granted not the same player and Engelland is older, but hey, I'm just a fan who tries to be positive about his team.

I'm in no way condoning this signing. Had it been a million dollars less a year, most people wouldn't be talking about this. Odds are, at best, he'll be the same player playing a slightly greater role. All I'm saying is with a different coach and system, he may surprise or not. What I have a problem with, is people judging players before they even play a game for another team. When the Flames traded for Russell from St Louis, he was an average dman playing a limited role and now he's thriving g with Calgary. Granted not the same player and Engelland is older, but hey, I'm just a fan who tries to be positive about his team.
- trevy

Right.

I'd love to know what other team was competing for Engelland at those $$$?

Same goes for Orpik? - What other team was offering him 5 million over 5?
- RoloTahmasee

Sabres were looking for Vet D + leadership. I wonder if they bid the price up a Orpik... a little.

I don't understand the Bolland signing. Paying for England's toughness? I don't know.

I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here and suggest that the yotes signing dubs for more than $1 per year will go down as the worst signing in the nhl this year. What were they thinking?

- JetsAvs

probably that they could run circles around Edmonton in the defensive zone and that was the biggest contributing factor to his regression. I think they are boned, but its a cheapish cap hit.

I'd love to know what other team was competing for Engelland at those $$$?

Same goes for Orpik? - What other team was offering him 5 million over 5?
- RoloTahmasee

Calgary was likely way over the other offers. Gotta pay big when your team will probably halt his career. This contract is likely equal or a little more than he would make signing one years that aren't guaranteed to be there.

probably that they could run circles around Edmonton in the defensive zone and that was the biggest contributing factor to his regression. I think they are boned, but its a cheapish cap hit.
- Jay Uller

Spoken like a Leafs fan....

It really feels like there is no logic whatsoever in what a player will sign for...

At the end of the day a player will be paid what the team can and wants to pay him. It doesn't matter what that player deserves to be paid at all, based on the contribution he makes.

Spoken like a Leafs fan....
- Iggysbff

We Leaf fans are authorities on knowing what it looks like when the opposing team runs circles around your d-zone.

The best signing was Ottawa and Legwand. 3 mil per for him is a bargain I I ever saw one. Wanted the rangers to get him

No mention of Tanner Glass as one of the worst forward signings?

Right.
- Travis Yost

So what Travis? You aren't writing the cheque, Murray Edwards is. They needed to get to the cap floor & weren't giving longer than 3 year terms to anybody. Limited the UFA's we could attract. Expectation is that this contract is a waste of $$$ but we have so many new ELC players coming on board the next few years, your going to get a few stupid contracts to get to $51mill. Now if this contract meant we couldn't keep a particular skilled player, different discussion. Next year we have to bring the wheel barrel of money for Brodie & Backlund, I don't expect too many of these charity contracts from here on.

probably that they could run circles around Edmonton in the defensive zone and that was the biggest contributing factor to his regression. I think they are boned, but its a cheapish cap hit.
- Jay Uller

And he was also terrible in nashville because....?

You really know your stuff bud!

I don't think so. He was used well in NY and fit in.. Now everyone is going to look at him for big O numbers in EDM and it most likely wont be there.
- Babalu88

edm prob has to overpay by at least 500k-1mil right off the hop to entice free agents.

Then considering how badly we needed size, along with some offensive skill (regardless of his numbers- pouliot both is a good skater and has decent hands) and just came off a great playoff run. Benoit wont be counted on for a ton of offensive, but more to provide some grit, battle downlow and a little skill up and down the top 9.

If he can play decent, its prob a mil overpaid and a year too long prob. Could be worse

I think Ottawa's David Lagwand was a great signing at 3mill per.. Reminds me o the Clark MacArthur signing Murray did last year