****ing maddening. Cap Geek turned everyone into a GM, and now we're not allowed to keep nice things. Potential HOF'er? Oh... wait a tick, looks like he's an RFA. We better sell him off so we have the picks for this year's draft. Wouldn't want to miss out on a potential 1st liner....
Sometimes, it's okay to have good players re-signed, or kept around. Kadri, JVR, Reimer, people talking about Rielly already, people were all about Gardiner before. Some people just want to turn everything over all the time, like this is NHL 16.
I missed the last time that the Leafs had a scrape this down to the wood type rebuild like this.
Most times, the fans have been asking for older free agents based on past glory. They were just a player or two away from the playoffs. Like these type of players away from the playoffs:
A Joseph (the 2nd time). A Finger. A Hagman. A Gerber. An Armstrong. A Lebda. A Peca. A Gill. A Kubina. A Marchment. A Nieuwendyk. A Klee. A Hoglund. A Mogilny. A Thomas (the 2nd time). A Corson.
Now, you've got fans pausing and saying ok, draft. Build with youth. Accept the losing. Take advantage and build a team that will be good years from now. Don't sign any more bad contracts.
And ironically, it sounds more like you are having trouble with the idea of losing and that there really isn't much on this roster that will be valuable in 4 years. Why hang on to something you won't need?
JVR had a season ending injury… he might not ever be the same JVR. But we are probably stuck for two years or so until he proves his health and a return to form.
Kadri… meh. I hear he will play the PK… next year. Because there is so much to play for right now the team just can't risk an on the job learning experience. But next year… oh boy… watch out.
If someone wants a good Top 12 forward
… go ahead. He's going to moved sometime between now and 4 years. Might as well sell somewhat high.