There's this thing called... wait for it: communication. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Bozak and Kessel (who signed 3 months later) had plenty of conversations all year long. The minute Bozak resigned, it was pretty clear that Kessel was going to stay; I'm pretty sure that was publicly known and discussed during the off-season and 24.
- gravyface

No, it was speculated on by media members who have never really talked to Kessel, and all assumed he wanted to leave because he "doesn't like the media" when the fact is he completely ignores them and genuinely doesn't give a rats ass about them. He was comfortable here and as long as they paid him market value I think he was staying.

Looks like they hired RCs in season replacement yesterday

Thats what I said too!

It's funny that you say I'm being stupid, when the whole point of that post was to mock your "glad you agree, teehee" comments you were rolling with. You also said you were done with this conversation, but once again, there is a big divide between reality and what you say.
- systemtool

Check out page 30 and tell me you didn't say media and fans play a "massive" role in deterring ufa's

Our core is void of free agents with the exception of maybe a couple of players. You can spin this any way you want, but earlier you suggested the Leafs are built through Free Agency, and they are not. Don't fight this, you said it, it was silly...now lets move on.
- systemtool

I'm saying that we've tried to build through FA every year, not that we have, and I think that because of the negatives of this city (lack of success, pressure, climate, taxes) we've (thankfully) signed less FAs than we've attempted.

Toronto has always been, in post-lockout 1 NHL, one of the most active teams on July 1st.

Looks like they hired RCs in season replacement yesterday
- MTL1

The only question is, which one take the HC role?

No, it was speculated on by media members who have never really talked to Kessel, and all assumed he wanted to leave because he "doesn't like the media" when the fact is he completely ignores them and genuinely doesn't give a rats ass about them. He was comfortable here and as long as they paid him market value I think he was staying.
- Big_Lightnin

I think so too.

The only question is, which one take the HC role?
- lumlums

Coach and associate coach titles

The only question is, which one take the HC role?
- lumlums

Spott would be my guess

Alright gents, gotta take the kids outside to burn off some energy and enjoy the great day.
Enjoy the weekend!
Systemtool, fun as always!
Have a good one

Cause Edmonton is winning?
- Fakepartofme

They built through the draft, so they must be.

Alright gents, gotta take the kids outside to burn off some energy and enjoy the great day.
Enjoy the weekend!
Systemtool, fun as always!
Have a good one
- Fakepartofme

Have a great day and time with the family buddy.

They built through the draft, so they must be.
- The Shrike

I spotted you sarcasm the first time

Looks like they hired RCs in season replacement yesterday
- MTL1

Wasn't Eakins going to be our coaching solution at one point too.

Wasn't Eakins going to be our coaching solution at one point too.
- The Shrike

Should have been, then they hired RC instead

No, it was speculated on by media members who have never really talked to Kessel, and all assumed he wanted to leave because he "doesn't like the media" when the fact is he completely ignores them and genuinely doesn't give a rats ass about them. He was comfortable here and as long as they paid him market value I think he was staying.
- Big_Lightnin

I'm pretty sure the conversation came up in 24/7 when they were in the apartment together. I'm not saying he wouldn't have signed here regardless -- maybe for more money -- but Bozak staying was an immense help.

I'm saying that we've tried to build through FA every year, not that we have, and I think that because of the negatives of this city (lack of success, pressure, climate, taxes) we've (thankfully) signed less FAs than we've attempted.

Toronto has always been, in post-lockout 1 NHL, one of the most active teams on July 1st.
- gravyface

In the past they did and it worked. Then the lockout came and the cupboards were bare and they kept trying build through UFA. I think its been a few years now since they tried building that way. This current team sure isn't.

Like Edmonton.
- The Shrike

They failed to put a good supporting cast in place to help their core players.

Ironically, smart UFA signings would've helped the Oilers in previous seasons, but because Edmonton is so undesirable (climate, travel mostly), they have a hard time signing players.

The only question is, which one take the HC role?
- lumlums

Crawford

I'm pretty sure the conversation came up in 24/7 when they were in the apartment together. I'm not saying he wouldn't have signed here regardless -- maybe for more money -- but Bozak staying was an immense help.
- gravyface

Kessel signed months before 24/7 even started filming...

Like I said we'll never know. Just my opinion. I was never genuinely concerned about him not signing, regardless of what they did with Bozak.

Hindsight I'm glad they kept Bozak at that price, as I believe he's a solid #2, and his contract is fine for what he brings. Honestly think he would be more effective offensively if he didn't play with kessel. He'd keep the puck more and look to shoot more himself I thnk

In the past they did and it worked. Then the lockout came and the cupboards were bare and they kept trying build through UFA. I think its been a few years now since they tried building that way. This current team sure isn't.
- systemtool

Conference finals a handful of times over a 20 year span isn't really working in my mind.

Gotta run, yard work.

xoxoxo

I'm going to the dump

They failed to put a good supporting cast in place to help their core players.

Ironically, smart UFA signings would've helped the Oilers in previous seasons, but because Edmonton is so undesirable (climate, travel mostly), they have a hard time signing players.
- gravyface

I think the Oilers also missed the boat on some trades. Should have made plays for guys like Seguin and beaten the Stars to the punch, as one example. They're so obsessed with their high picks, they can't have enough of them, and they get so giddy with excitement over them that they rush them into the league, put the weight of the team on their shoulders and wonder why the team can't get anywhere.

Kessel signed months before 24/7 even started filming...

Like I said we'll never know. Just my opinion. I was never genuinely concerned about him not signing, regardless of what they did with Bozak.

Hindsight I'm glad they kept Bozak at that price, as I believe he's a solid #2, and his contract is fine for what he brings. Honestly think he would be more effective offensively if he didn't play with kessel. He'd keep the puck more and look to shoot more himself I thnk
- Big_Lightnin

I know, but they were speaking in hindsight over how good of friends they are and that they wanted to play together... anyways, yeah, Bozak's not a problem in my mind and he looked really good this year before he got hurt; think he was on track for his best season to date.

Conference finals a handful of times over a 20 year span isn't really working in my mind.

Gotta run, yard work.

xoxoxo
- gravyface

I never said it worked the whole time.