Confirmed with Link: Leafs signed Ron Hainsey to a 2 year deal $6 mil ($3 mil AAV)

[Mess]

Hainsey brings much needed size as a replacement for Hunwick. None of Rielly, Gardiner, Zaitsev and Carrick are giants. Neither are Liljegren and Dermott. It's nice to have a 6'3, 210 Hainsey over a 5'11, 190 Hunwick to complement our actual D core.

Adding size to the team and the Dcore certainly a factor here in this upgrade over Hunwick.

 

[LeafChief]

It's odd seeing Pens fans so delighted in getting Hunwick for 3 years. Leafs D is terrible to them-except when they sign one of them. Hainsey played over 20 minutes a night and they won a cup. Pens fans should be delighted he played a bigger role and thrived when expectations were much lower when the team traded for him.

Typical for any fan base.

 

[Mess]

It's odd seeing Pens fans so delighted in getting Hunwick for 3 years. Leafs D is terrible to them-except when they sign one of them. Hainsey played over 20 minutes a night and they won a cup. Pens fans should be delighted he played a bigger role and thrived when expectations were much lower when the team traded for him.

Pens said "thanks but no thanks" to Hainsey.

After seeing how much their defense struggled in the playoffs with moving the puck up ice while getting hemmed in their own zone and how much Murray was a shooting gallery needing to bail them out.

Particularly against Nashville the Pens would go 10, 15 and sometimes 20 minutes without a shot on net, while Murray was shelled.

Playoff Icetime.
Hainsey = 21:07 TOI/g verses Hunwick = 25:39.

Take the 5 years younger in age and $750k savings for a bottom pairing Dman capable of playing +20 minutes a night if needed.

 

[thewave]

Pens said "thanks but no thanks" to Hainsey.

After seeing how much their defense struggled in the playoffs with moving the puck up ice while getting hemmed in their own zone and how much Murray was a shooting gallery needing to bail them out.

Particularly against Nashville the Pens would go 10, 15 and sometimes 20 minutes without a shot on net, while Murray was shelled.

Playoff Icetime.
Hainsey = 21:07 TOI/g verses Hunwick = 25:39.

Take the 5 years younger in age and $750k savings for a bottom pairing Dman capable of playing +20 minutes a night if needed.

The key in this is we have Morgan and Jake who can move the puck. We need a Hainsey, they need a Hunwick who really isnt as good overall and is paid as such. They got a value bin puck mover.

 

[LeafFever]

Pens said "thanks but no thanks" to Hainsey.

After seeing how much their defense struggled in the playoffs with moving the puck up ice while getting hemmed in their own zone and how much Murray was a shooting gallery needing to bail them out.

Particularly against Nashville the Pens would go 10, 15 and sometimes 20 minutes without a shot on net, while Murray was shelled.

Playoff Icetime.
Hainsey = 21:07 TOI/g verses Hunwick = 25:39.

Take the 5 years younger in age and $750k savings for a bottom pairing Dman capable of playing +20 minutes a night if needed.

They won the Stanley cup. That D is the weakest I have seen on a cup winner. they have nothing to complain about. Hunwick could never avg 2nd in TOI on the Stanley cup chamions.

And BTW, there is a big difference in games played. does Hunwick keep that avg over 25 minutes over 4 rounds? Unlikely. The Leafs went out in the first round and said "Thanks but No Thanks" to him.

Also, Hunwick's cap hit is less because he got 3 years.

 

[Walshy7]

Pens said "thanks but no thanks" to Hainsey.

After seeing how much their defense struggled in the playoffs with moving the puck up ice while getting hemmed in their own zone and how much Murray was a shooting gallery needing to bail them out.

Particularly against Nashville the Pens would go 10, 15 and sometimes 20 minutes without a shot on net, while Murray was shelled.

Playoff Icetime.
Hainsey = 21:07 TOI/g verses Hunwick = 25:39.

Take the 5 years younger in age and $750k savings for a bottom pairing Dman capable of playing +20 minutes a night if needed.

no need for context? Hainsey played 25 games and averaged 21mins and hunwick played 6 games averaged 25mins. Polak got injured and th whole d core played huge mins Hunwick played 35 in that game and the final game babs through him out for 28 mins.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Pens said "thanks but no thanks" to Hainsey.

After seeing how much their defense struggled in the playoffs with moving the puck up ice while getting hemmed in their own zone and how much Murray was a shooting gallery needing to bail them out.

Particularly against Nashville the Pens would go 10, 15 and sometimes 20 minutes without a shot on net, while Murray was shelled.

Playoff Icetime.
Hainsey = 21:07 TOI/g verses Hunwick = 25:39.

Take the 5 years younger in age and $750k savings for a bottom pairing Dman capable of playing +20 minutes a night if needed.

It's amusing how you think Hunwick who historically has been an AHL tweener will be an upgrade over Hainsey who has averaged 20+ minutes per night over the course of a 12 year career in the NHL and has always been in the top 4 of every team he's played on.

You forget just how useless Hunwick was early in the season and his chronic issues with consistency.

Don't get me wrong. Hunwick can be useful in a bottom pair role with the right partner but he's never been on the level of Hainsey.

 

[thewave]

It's amusing how you think Hunwick who historically has been an AHL tweener will be an upgrade over Hainsey who has averaged 20+ minutes per night over the course of a 12 year career in the NHL and has always been in the top 4 of every team he's played on.

You forget just how useless Hunwick was early in the season and his chronic issues with consistency.

Don't get me wrong. Hunwick can be useful in a bottom pair role with the right partner but he's never been on the level of Hainsey.

You need to bold... NEVER

 

[TheCLAM]

Hainsey replaces Hunwick or Polak's PK time. During the regular season Polak averaged 2:54 SH/TOI per game which seems like a lot. Although Hainsey averaged 1 second less at 2:53 SH/TOI per game with the penguins. With the Hurricanes he averaged 3:03 SH/TOI per game.

Hurricanes had a 6th ranked PK helped by Hainsey for 56 games and Penguins ended up with a 20th ranked PK with Hainsey playing 16 games for them at the end. The Penguins saw a weakness and got Hainsey to help that.

This is more likely a Polak replacement when you look at the PK time and the size they both bring. Hainsey can now at least be used as a contract stop gap for when we need to resign very important pieces.

There have been comments by hockey analyst that expect Polak to be back with the Leafs as well

 

[Mess]

no need for context? Hainsey played 25 games and averaged 21mins and hunwick played 6 games averaged 25mins. Polak got injured and th whole d core played huge mins Hunwick played 35 in that game and the final game babs through him out for 28 mins.

Hainsey was acquired at the TD by Pens because Trevor Daley got hurt and was expected to be out 6 weeks down the stretch. This was also complicated by Pens losing Letang their top Dman with a season ending injury.

Without the injuries Pens likely wouldn't have wasted a draft pick at the TD for a player that was just a short gap necessity to patch a dcore ravaged by injuries.

In 2015-16 regular season using non playoff team comparisons in TOI/g : Hainsey in Carolina = 22:19 verses Hunwick with Leafs 22:34.

Leafs got bigger and older/more experienced and Pens got younger and faster and cheaper with both teams looking for a 3rd pairing dman capable of filling in for injuries, but playing down the depth chart.

 

[Walshy7]

Hainsey was acquired at the TD by Pens because Trevor Daley got hurt and was expected to be out 6 weeks down the stretch. This was also complicated by Pens losing Letang their top Dman with a season ending injury.

Without the injuries Pens likely wouldn't have wasted a draft pick at the TD for a player that was just a short gap necessity to patch a dcore ravaged by injuries.

In 2015-16 regular season using non playoff team comparisons in TOI/g : Hainsey in Carolina = 22:19 verses Hunwick with Leafs 22:34.

Leafs got bigger and older/more experienced and Pens got younger and faster and cheaper with both teams looking for a 3rd pairing dman capable of filling in for injuries, but playing down the depth chart.

i bet we could of got Hainsey cheaper on 3 years too. Almost like they want this contract to end in 2 years, Maybe they have 2 huge RFA's who are going to be starting their 1st year of their huge new contracts

 

[LeafFever]

Who ever thought Ron Hainsey could be #2 in TOI on the cup champs raise their hands?
This guy looked very solid and exceeded all expectations. Matt freaking Hunwick got 3 years. And now you guys like him? I thought he was trash?

 

[Mess]

i bet we could of got Hainsey cheaper on 3 years too. Almost like they want this contract to end in 2 years, Maybe they have 2 huge RFA's who are going to be starting their 1st year of their huge new contracts

This is the end of the road for Hainsey in the twilight of his career now +36 years old as he fades into retirement with 1 last golden handshake contract from the Leafs.

Nobody would be giving Hainsey anymore than a 2 year deal and in fact the 2nd year might have been something force on Leafs to get him to sign in TO, and beat out some 1 year offers he might have gotten. That 2nd year might see lots of pressbox time as #7/8 on depth chart & Lou Lam has a way of making players disappear when needed.

Hopefully some of Leafs younger Dmen are ready by then, or Leafs have been able to land that younger top4 dman in trade. Until then they hope Hainsey can mentor some of the younger players .. Perhaps Dermott -- Hainsey 3rd pairing is the thought behind this move, as Travis gets his feet wet. .

 

[RoadWarrior]

Hainsey was acquired at the TD by Pens because Trevor Daley got hurt and was expected to be out 6 weeks down the stretch. This was also complicated by Pens losing Letang their top Dman with a season ending injury.

Without the injuries Pens likely wouldn't have wasted a draft pick at the TD for a player that was just a short gap necessity to patch a dcore ravaged by injuries.

In 2015-16 regular season using non playoff team comparisons in TOI/g : Hainsey in Carolina = 22:19 verses Hunwick with Leafs 22:34.

Leafs got bigger and older/more experienced and Pens got younger and faster and cheaper with both teams looking for a 3rd pairing dman capable of filling in for injuries, but playing down the depth chart.

Hunwick was badly exposed in a top 4 role and was eventually relegated back to the bottom pairing with Polak while Connor Carrick of all people replaced him in the top 4.

The leafs evaluated Hunwick based on his body of work and not just a single playoff series which is how all players should be evaluated.

I'm not sure what the problem is with bigger and more experienced....

Lou Lam has been very clear in his interviews that they intend to use Hainsey in a top 4 role, most likely playing with Morgan Rielly. Once Hainsey's contract is up then Liljegren will presumably take his place on the right side.

 

[Walshy7]

This is the end of the road for Hainsey in the twilight of his career now +36 years old as he fades into retirement with 1 last golden handshake contract from the Leafs.

Nobody would be giving Hainsey anymore than a 2 year deal and in fact the 2nd year might have been something force on Leafs to get him to sign in TO. That 2nd year might see lots of pressbox time & Lou Lam has a way of making players disappear when needed.

Hopefully some of Leafs younger Dmen are ready by then, or Leafs have been able to land that younger top4 dman in trade.

oh i see. You have no idea what you are talking about, good day to you sir

 

[Daisy Jane]

oh i see. You have no idea what you are talking about, good day to you sir

that is such a polite way to put it, Walshy.

like. honestly.

 

[Mess]

oh i see. You have no idea what you are talking about, good day to you sir

Did you like the Robidas signing in the past also when he was 37?

Leafs aren't building their long-term plans around Hainsey going on 37. This is only a stop gap situation, buying development time for younger players and adding some size and experience to a Dcore that lacks that component.

Every team needs some veteran leadership and experience, and Leafs bought themselves "time" by this short-term gap filler.

 

[ULF_55]

Hunwick was badly exposed in a top 4 role and was eventually relegated back to the bottom pairing with Polak while Connor Carrick of all people replaced him in the top 4.

The leafs evaluated Hunwick based on his body of work and not just a single playoff series which is how all players should be evaluated.

I'm not sure what the problem is with bigger and more experienced....

Lou Lam has been very clear in his interviews that they intend to use Hainsey in a top 4 role, most likely playing with Morgan Rielly. Once Hainsey's contract is up then Liljegren will presumably take his place on the right side.

Actually, Carrick's ice time in the playoffs was:
WSH APR 23 10:26
WSH APR 21 06:31
WSH APR 19 12:33
WSH APR 17 11:19
WSH APR 15 18:44

Carrick replaced no one in the top 4.

 

[TheCLAM]

Did you like the Robidas signing in the past also when he was 37?

Leafs aren't building their long-term plans around Hainsey going on 37. This is only a stop gap situation, buying development time for younger players and adding some size and experience to a Dcore that lacks that component.

Every team needs some veteran leadership and experience, and Leafs bought themselves "time" by this short-term gap filler.

Robidas was coming off a broken friggen leg and signed to a 3 year deal.

Improve your argument

 

[Mess]

Hunwick was badly exposed in a top 4 role and was eventually relegated back to the bottom pairing with Polak while Connor Carrick of all people replaced him in the top 4.

I'm not sure what the problem is with bigger and more experienced....

Are you sure about Carrick?.

Leafs Dcore playoff TOI/g

Gardiner: ..... 28:38
Rielly: .......... 26:53
Hunwick: ...... 25:39
Zaitsev: ........21:45
Polak: ..........17:37
Marincin: ......16:53
Carrick:.........12:16

http://www.espn.com/nhl/team/stats/_/name/tor/cat/avgTimeOnIce

Even Marincin played + 4 minutes a night on average than Carrick, and Hunwick played +4 more minutes than Zaitsev in Leafs top 4.

Put in context with Hainsey all he has to do add the minutes Hunwick provided, and be better than Carrick, Marincin, Marchenko to play top 4 minutes. That is more a statement of Leafs weak defense group that makes him #4 than it speaks to Hainsey abilities.

 

[crump]

People see Stanley Cup, top 4 D. I see victory lap.

 

[4thline]

People see Stanley Cup, top 4 D. I see victory lap.

People see career ~#3 defensive D akin to a Methot intended to be used as a 4/5 in the twilight of his career

 

[Clark4Ever]

The bottom line is that Hunwick brought a skillset that was redundant on our blueline, and Hainsey provides a defensive presence that was lacking.

 

[Walshy7]

The bottom line is that Hunwick brought a skillset that was redundant on our blueline, and Hainsey provides a defensive presence that was lacking.

also, do we know that Hunwick was let go? or did maybe he get an offer from the stanley cup champs and chose them? Babcock said a couple weeks ago they wanted to sign hunwick but its also up to the player

 

[Damisoph]

Did you like the Robidas signing in the past also when he was 37?

Leafs aren't building their long-term plans around Hainsey going on 37. This is only a stop gap situation, buying development time for younger players and adding some size and experience to a Dcore that lacks that component.

Every team needs some veteran leadership and experience, and Leafs bought themselves "time" by this short-term gap filler.

This is a horrendous argument. Robidas was coming off a 2nd broken leg in two years.

I find it hilarious that people are pining for Hunwick after calling him junk for two years.