I'm surprised Versteeg didn't wait longer for a contract.

You do realize that Higgins consistently puts up 35-40 points as well right?
- belcherbd

I also know that Versteeg has 20 less points in 150 less games then Higgins and is 3 years younger with 2 stanley cup rings.

Even Vets need to be able to contribute still! I just think the leafs like the oilers are trying to lose for too long. Draft picks take years and years to develop. Players usually don't become stars till 22-24ish. When your drafting players at 18. 4-6 years of waiting for the first ones to arrive.

Imagine if your top 6 next year had Kadri, Matthews, Marner, Kessel, Opkoso, Nylander.
- manvanfan

Honestly, I don't/didn't want Kessel on this team any longer. Such a poor "Vet" to have the kids look to. And obviously Toronto is no way near good enough to have him as a support player.

KO, yeah, I dunno. He's OK for sure. Not necessarily saying it will happen but he's your stereotypical FA contract that causes headaches in future.

And after Clarkson, I hope they never sign a UFA again.

I think he is done, but if he accepted a big pay cut he might find a taker. No roster spot guarantees - could end up in the ahl... maybe that is part of the appeal of the Swiss league for Versteeg, you have made most of your money and just want to go play and enjoy the experience.

Versteeg>Higgins
- hillbillydeluxe

A PTO and earn himself a contract like others have done in the past couple of years. I wonder if Van will invite some guys for a PTO.

I'd see if Lauri Korpikoski would take a cheap contract. Experienced 4th line LW. 20 points a season, good on the PK. Only 29.

I also know that Versteeg has 20 less points in 150 less games then Higgins and is 3 years younger with 2 stanley cup rings.
- manvanfan

Sure, no debate there from me that Versteeg has been the better player through their careers but both the past few seasons have put up similar numbers.

Honestly, I don't/didn't want Kessel on this team any longer. Such a poor "Vet" to have the kids look to. And obviously Toronto is no way near good enough to have him as a support player.

KO, yeah, I dunno. He's OK for sure. Not necessarily saying it will happen but he's your stereotypical FA contract that causes headaches in future.

And after Clarkson, I hope they never sign a UFA again.

- walshyleafsfan

Idiot contracts have basically gone out the window since then. After that debacle the entire league smarten up.

A PTO and earn himself a contract like others have done in the past couple of years. I wonder if Van will invite some guys for a PTO.

I'd see if Lauri Korpikoski would take a cheap contract. Experienced 4th line LW. 20 points a season, good on the PK. Only 29.
- manvanfan

Ya I was looking at him as well the other day, they don't really need more depth though. Supposedly they want a 2nd line LW with grit.

A Hartnell for Sbisa + deal still makes the most sense to me.

Sure, no debate there from me that Versteeg has been the better player through their careers but both the past few seasons have put up similar numbers.
- belcherbd

Higgins dropped off so badly last season. He wasn't even that good in the AHL when he played. Europe would probably be a good option for him too.

At least it's different than the same old retreads....

Want to talk about Hartnell some more? Kane? How Tanev is simultaneously overrated and underrated ?
- belcherbd

I assume you would rather talk about Little Franky Corrado some more?

Idiot contracts have basically gone out the window since then. After that debacle the entire league smarten up.
- manvanfan

As evident by the Ericsson contract.

Just kidding, like that guy even though he smells of Samuel Adams, racism and Mark Wahlberg

Which team takes a flier on Higgins this year if any?
- belcherbd

No team, no chance

Which team takes a flier on Higgins this year if any?
- belcherbd

Someone needing depth or reaching the cap floor. Most likely an invitation to a camp for a try out.

Ya I was looking at him as well the other day, they don't really need more depth though. Supposedly they want a 2nd line LW with grit.

A Hartnell for Sbisa + deal still makes the most sense to me.
- belcherbd

I wouldnt be adding the guy is old and his contract has 3 years left. Id prefer to not add him at all. Like his game and if his contract was 1 year i wouldnt mind it. I just see the wheels falling off pretty quick.

Idiot contracts have basically gone out the window since then. After that debacle the entire league smarten up.
- manvanfan

You didn't see the Erikson and Lucic deal which were mainly bonus money for most of the contracts right?

Ya I was looking at him as well the other day, they don't really need more depth though. Supposedly they want a 2nd line LW with grit.

A Hartnell for Sbisa + deal still makes the most sense to me.
- belcherbd

If Van's depth was actually any good or proven, could probably package some of them to get someone like Hartnell. Van needs more players that don't need Waivers.

I assume you would rather talk about Little Franky Corrado some more?
- CanuckDon

Only if people want to continue to make things up....

You didn't see the Erikson and Lucic deal which were mainly bonus money for most of the contracts right?
- allsports

That was just about every contract handed out this year. Do you know why?

I wouldnt be adding the guy is old and his contract has 3 years left. Id prefer to not add him at all. Like his game and if his contract was 1 year i wouldnt mind it. I just see the wheels falling off pretty quick.
- mauryballstein

I prefer they don't add anyone but I could see that being a realistic fit for both teams considering what Benning says he is looking for and CLB needing to shed some bad contracts.

The wheels probably will fall off and he likely wont be worth that contract still in a couple of years but he no doubt makes this team better in the short term.

I assume you would rather talk about Little Franky Corrado some more?
- CanuckDon

Stecher, Subban

Ya I was looking at him as well the other day, they don't really need more depth though. Supposedly they want a 2nd line LW with grit.

A Hartnell for Sbisa + deal still makes the most sense to me.
- belcherbd

Id think itd look more like Hartnell + for Sbisa

That was just about every contract handed out this year. Do you know why?
- manvanfan

Lockout?

That was just about every contract handed out this year. Do you know why?
- manvanfan

I thought it was some sort of tax thing.

That was just about every contract handed out this year. Do you know why?
- manvanfan

Clarkson's contract set a precedent for agents and their top players. Speculation is that with the next CBA ending in 2019 that the agents want their top clients to get paid early with bonuses so in the future the prospect of buying out a player is not desirable. Agents get paid a percent of the what the player makes so they get the big payday too.

I think its silly that the owners' allow their GM's to do this.

Id think itd look more like Hartnell + for Sbisa
- phyllee

Perhaps, I'm not in the camp that he is a negative asset yet though. I wasn't inferring it would be a big + but my guess is we would have to add a bit.

I prefer they don't add anyone but I could see that being a realistic fit for both teams considering what Benning says he is looking for and CLB needing to shed some bad contracts.

The wheels probably will fall off and he likely won't be worth that contract still in a couple of years but he no doubt makes this team better in the short term.
- belcherbd

Do you know who i'd like to see Van go after.

Patric Hornqvist.

Pens are in cap troubles.
A prospect or 2 or pick and a prospect.

Clarkson's contract set a precedent for agents and their top players. Speculation is that with the next CBA ending in 2019 that the agents want their top clients to get paid early with bonuses so in the future the prospect of buying out a player is not desirable. Agents get paid a percent of the what the player makes so they get the big payday too.

I think its silly that the owners' allow their GM's to do this.
- allsports

I don't think that it is necessarily that they get paid early but that a bonus needs to be paid regardless of whether there is a lockout or not.