True that.

If it wasn't for Bozak, Kessel would've hit UFA. No question.
- gravyface

So hard to tell if this is sarcasm...

The first step to winning a cup is acquiring elite talent, so his very presence would increase the chances of it significantly, both through his direct contributions on the ice, and indirectly due to the other talented players who would be more likely to sign with the team with him already aboard.
- The Shrike

Have to draft them, and Shanny agrees. Building your team on July 1st never works.

This was, by far, the best UFA we've had in a long time.

who giving out free hugs?

The 90s media is tame and mild compared to these days where there are more sports radio stations than ever, bloggers, social media etc.

The fact you had to go back 20 years to make your point because you couldn't find a more current arguement just says it all.

Canadian teams are being avoided by the majority top players, when it's in their control to, for many reasons. Taxes, weather and less pressure are some of the bigger factors. I don't want this to be an issue, im a Leaf fan, but sadly I don't want to pretend that it isn't an issue either.
- systemtool

Exactly there are so many other issues, the media not being the biggest one, thanks for proven my point.
And another thing, in the past 20 years what Canadian team outside of Vancouver and a couple one year runs as been consistently successful. Most haven't.
Hence, the biggest reason why it's difficult to sign players.
Thanks for supporting that as well

Have to draft them, and Shanny agrees. Building your team on July 1st never works.

This was, by far, the best UFA we've had in a long time.
- gravyface

Agreed. UFA should be where you pick up bargain players to complement your bottom six, not blow a wad (of cash!) over some "superstar"...

Have to draft them, and Shanny agrees. Building your team on July 1st never works.

This was, by far, the best UFA we've had in a long time.
- gravyface

Nobody builds teams through UFA, they just try to add to their teams through UFA.

I wonder what people would say about Chara, the UFA the Bruins added. Never works, right?

who giving out free hugs?
- Sammich

Yeti

Nobody builds teams through UFA, they just try to add to their teams through UFA.

I wonder what people would say about Chara, the UFA the Bruins added. Never works, right?
- systemtool

Bust

In the last 5 years?

Kovalchuk, Suter, Parise... Clarkson.

- Big_Lightnin

One maybe two are elite.
Most were leaving New Jersey.

Exactly there are so many other issues, the media not being the biggest one, thanks for proven my point.
And another thing, in the past 20 years what Canadian team outside of Vancouver and a couple one year runs as been consistently successful. Most haven't.
Hence, the biggest reason why it's difficult to sign players.
Thanks for supporting that as well
- Fakepartofme

And what, exactly, did the Wild win to attract Suter and Parise?

What had the Rangers won when they got Richards?

What have the AVs consistently done to attract Iginla?

Thanks for supporting that as well.

Media might not be THEE biggest one, but it's one of the more prominent reasons.

So hard to tell if this is sarcasm...
- Big_Lightnin

I'm being serious.

Exactly there are so many other issues, the media not being the biggest one, thanks for proven my point.
And another thing, in the past 20 years what Canadian team outside of Vancouver and a couple one year runs as been consistently successful. Most haven't.
Hence, the biggest reason why it's difficult to sign players.
Thanks for supporting that as well
- Fakepartofme

Non-contending small market teams are still very able to sign quality UFA's.

Nobody builds teams through UFA, they just try to add to their teams through UFA.

I wonder what people would say about Chara, the UFA the Bruins added. Never works, right?
- systemtool

Except the Leafs...

...and Chara was an exception.

....I think winning and a winning environment attract players....
- Fakepartofme

This can be a circular argument though. Good players want to go to a team that has a winning environment, but a team can't have that winning environment without good players.

And what, exactly, did the Wild win to attract Suter and Parise?

What had the Rangers won when they got Richards?

What have the AVs consistently done to attract Iginla?

Thanks for supporting that as well.

Media might not be THEE biggest one, but it's one of the more prominent reasons.
- systemtool

You are getting lost in your own argument. You said the media is a massive reason players are steered from playing in toronto. I disagreed saying it's one of the reasons but not the major one. You have since agreed and provided many other reasons asto why they don't sign.
So thanks for agreeing, we can call this a wrap!

who giving out free hugs?
- Sammich

Front or back?

Except the Leafs...

...and Chara was an exception.
- gravyface

How so?

Core guys....Kessel, JVR, Kadri, Bozak, Phaneuf, Bernier, Gardiner, Rielly, Lupul....

None through free agency.

This can be a circular argument though. Good players want to go to a team that has a winning environment, but a team can't have that winning environment without good players.
- The Shrike

Unless drafted, they have good cap management and they have made some quality signings I the past (quality not meaning superstar signings)

You are getting lost in your own argument. You said the media is a massive reason players are steered from playing in toronto. I disagreed saying it's one of the reasons but not the major one. You have since agreed and provided many other reasons asto why they don't sign.
So thanks for agreeing, we can call this a wrap!
- Fakepartofme

I agree with this, with the exception that media/pressure can be a major reason, depending on the player in question.

How so?

Core guys....Kessel, JVR, Kadri, Bozak, Phaneuf, Bernier, Gardiner, Rielly, Lupul....

None through free agency.
- systemtool

All through trades, and two drafted.
And the leafs still aren't in the playoffs.

You are getting lost in your own argument. You said the media is a massive reason players are steered from playing in toronto. I disagreed saying it's one of the reasons but not the major one. You have since agreed and provided many other reasons asto why they don't sign.
So thanks for agreeing, we can call this a wrap!
- Fakepartofme

I think someone is lost alright.

I stand by that. The media/fan is one of the bigger reasons why players avoid Canadian markets, though probably not the biggest reason. If you're getting lost in such a simple concept, it's on you...not me.

I never said there weren't other reasons. This is something you conjured up like Horny, your pet unicorn, to help you sleep at night.

I'm being serious.
- gravyface

Oh... Awkward.


Here's the thing... There is simply no way that Bozak was going to determine where Kessel played.

We'll never know, but I believe Kessel was staying as long as he got paid, which he did.

All through trades, and two drafted.
And the leafs still aren't in the playoffs.
- Fakepartofme

Umm...getting lost again?

The point is that they haven't built through Free Agency.

"ZOMG THANKS FOR ARGEEING WITH ME LOOOLZZIES"

All through trades, and two drafted.
And the leafs still aren't in the playoffs.
- Fakepartofme

Bozak was Ufa.

I think someone is lost alright.

I stand by that. The media is one of the bigger reasons why players avoid Canadian markets, though probably not the biggest reason. If you're getting lost in such a simple concept, it's on you...not me.

I never said there weren't other reasons. This is something you conjured up like Horny, your pet unicorn, to help you sleep at night.
- systemtool

You've already agreed with me, you've contradicted yourself, and now you are gettin so lost that you've now have to come up with insults. Typical.
The media isn't a massive reason as you originally said and have since agreed that it isn't.
So again, thanks for proving my point. Conversation is over