for what it’s worth. Chris Johnston was saying it was between st L and Vegas during the pause.
He shook his head and laughed and said that Petro wouldn’t want to sign here and that “there are other places he can go” and mentioned Vegas.
of course the reality is that since that time. Petro has come out and said he was his childhood dream to play in toronto and it is an exciting possibility. multiple insiders have Now said TO is high on his list.
I personally think a big part of this is negotiating through the media.
the markets mentioned are
1.) the team that throws SB out like candy (give me SB before toronto offers me)
2.) the team that is a rival that has tax free market (I can make more money in vegas)
as a TO fan. Personally I am souring on it. With the market being as it is. I think toronto can probably get better deals from teaMs that are squeezed for cash.
From a hockey and $ standpoint, Vegas absolutely makes a lot of sense. They're a great team, have shown a willingness to spend money, have little on the right side, and can make the space with 1-2 moves. They're also a sun-destination, which of course a lot of players prefer. However, given Pietrangelo's personal circumstances, I just can't see it.
The problem is -- of the two teams he'd ideally want to go to -- St. Louis and Toronto -- I don't think either one
really wants him.
The Blues will be happy to have him back, but there is a limit to how badly. Obviously nobody knows exactly what the number is -- but at some point they're going to decide that they're better off with Parayko & $Xm in cap freedom than they are with Pietrangelo and whatever they get for Parayko.
Toronto is desparate for a big-time RHD, and Pietrangelo likely fits their style of play, but what's it going to mean in terms of long term costs?
If signing Pietrangelo means you really should trade Marner, then that's a problem, because the likely scenario is that you'll trade Nylander, only to find next year that you need to get less top-heavy, but now no longer have Nylander, then you've got a problem. If you're signing Pietrangelo to ultimately replace Rielly who walks as UFA, then again you have to ask yourself -- what's the point? While the Leafs do not have an internal replacement like the Blues do, they do have a decent pool of assets with which to utilize -- including a former 17th OA pick that needs a change of scenery, at 15th OA pick in this year's draft, and a 25 year old middle-6 winger with a pretty good contract.