Confirmed with Link: Joe Thornton to Leafs [1yr/700k]

[ShaneFalco]

Keefe on Joe Thornton:

He is a very versatile guy that we think can play anywhere in our lineup depending on what we need or what’s happening. With him coming here he’s going to be an important piece of our team. He’s coming here for a reason and we’re bringing him for a reason. We’re really excited to bring in somebody with his experience, his energy and the passion that he still has for the game. So, no matter where he plays he’s going to bring a lot to us and we’re excited about that and I know our players are as well.”

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2020/11/29/kyle-dubas-on-morgan-rielly-leadership-and-11f-7d/​

 

[Golden_Jet]

So you're saying Burke was right?

It's not a tough question, forget about Burke, who cares.

I'll ask for the third or fourth time, how would you like to see the escrow paid back
Now or later.

From the Leafs perspective, its better to pay now, so the cap can increase in the future.
Dubas would have to dump more, or not renew some players if flat cap for 4-5 years.

 

[KyleDubasBoyGeniua]

It's not a tough question, forget about Burke, who cares.

I'll ask for the third or fourth time, how would you like to see the escrow paid back
Now or later.

From the Leafs perspective, its better to pay now, so the cap can increase in the future.
Dubas would have to dump more, or not renew some players if flat cap for 4-5 years.

IT's so far from the point,. I really don't care. He was insane to think 40 million would be the number.

 

[stickty111]

A goal and assist for Thornton.

 

[filip85]

 

[darrylsittler27]

Burke can't just agree with everyone it's tv. Someone has to be the bad cop. Toronto got Thornton for $700k. He helps Mathews and even if he is the 13th forward, he is an upgrade on Gauthier.

He is motivated and if injuries occur he can move up the line up.

We can't lose.

 

[moon111]

What role does he fill? How about the unofficial Captain?

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

What role does he fill? How about the unofficial Captain?

I think that's already Rielly

 

[2legit2quit]

Joe Thornton is currently playing in Swiss-A for Davos HC.

He has 5 g, 5a for 10 points in 9 games.

At 41 years old I still think he's got a lot of gas left in the tank. He wants to win a cup really badly, come playoff time, don't be surprised if Thornton comes up clutch and puts up numbers.

 

[Muston Atthews]

Sometimes I randomly remember that him and Simmonds are both on the team. Crazy to me. I can't wait to see it no matter how good or bad it goes lol

 

[Warden of the North]

Sometimes I randomly remember that him and Simmonds are both on the team. Crazy to me. I can't wait to see it no matter how good or bad it goes lol

I'm in the same boat.

That first Thornton shift is going to be surreal

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Joe Thornton is currently playing in Swiss-A for Davos HC.

He has 5 g, 5a for 10 points in 9 games.

At 41 years old I still think he's got a lot of gas left in the tank. He wants to win a cup really badly, come playoff time, don't be surprised if Thornton comes up clutch and puts up numbers.

I like the signing. But why didn't he ever come up clutch and put up numbers in the playoffs for SJ?

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I like the signing. But why didn't he ever come up clutch and put up numbers in the playoffs for SJ?

He is still a 0.74 PPG player in the playoffs for his career. Some guys just never have that massive year like Kessel or Couture.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

He is still a 0.74 PPG player in the playoffs for his career. Some guys just never have that massive year like Kessel or Couture.

Yea, playoffs are small enough sample that it can be a real crapshoot. My point is mostly that I don't think there is any reality to this romance that he's really hungry for a cup and thus will be some kind of monster for us in the playoffs. He'll be a 41yr old version of Thornton, his ice time and production will reflect it, and that's pretty great at league min.

 

[exporta]

Goat was the typical Brian Burke pick. Big guy with no talent.

Except Nonis drafted him.

 

[Cor]

Except Nonis drafted him.

To be fair, Nonis was essentially Burke on mute

 

[Critical13]

Dubas needs to be fired.

We are now a Wayne Simmonds injury away from having BY FAR the worst, slowest 3rd line in the league.

How you like Joe Thornton now, @mikeyz?

Hopefully it is cheap and works. Guy is slow and old. Past his prime and outside of leadership he doesnt bring a lot to the team. Would rather have a young player with a future get a chance.

Swing and a miss, phillipmike.

$700k, nobody should be complaining about that.

Nailed it Fogel, just like you usually do

No risk, huge reward.

Worst case we trade him back to SJ for nothing. Best case he has a Spezza-like season.

Really couldn't understand why people didn't want him. Easily a better deal than Simmonds.

Good call Morgsy!

 

[mix1home]

Joe occupies so much space on ice. Last night when he was behind the net all other players were squeezed out of trapezoid. Lol

 

[Leaftors]

700k and he's currently PPG. 700k and he's brought a different dynamic to the locker room, which is way more important than people think. They guys look like they're having fun out there. The culture change with Keefe, Joe, spezz, simmer, it's a huge factor.

 

[Bluelines]

1st line TML - Big Joe 3 goals 5 assists 8 games played - $700,000
1st line Pens - Kaspari Kapanen 2 goals 7 assists 12 games played - $3,200,000

Did Dubas actually do something good.... ?

 

[BertCorbeau]

Joe's had such a great impact on Marner and Matthews this season on and off the ice.. You can see it on the ice when they score together. What a great bargain signing.

 

[ponder]

He’s crazy good value at $700K. The first few games, I wasn’t sure about him with Mathews/Marner, thought he should play in the bottom 6, but he’s really started to gel with them, the line looks great.

Getting a guy who’s a good fit on our top line for this price was an incredible steal for Dubas, especially after the flat COVID cap left us in such a tough spot.

 

[sxvnert]

He learned a valueable lesson from his buddy Marleau. If you demand top dollar fans will expect a similar performance.

 

[Guy Boucher]

I'm still trying to temper my personal expectations of him being super impactful on the first line until he plays tougher teams. Regardless, he's was a great value signing.

Also - isn't he much faster than people said he'd be? I think the move to wing means he doesn't have to cover so much ice, and allows him to expend his energy for bursts of jump.

 

[Mr Knies Guy]

He’s crazy good value at $700K. The first few games, I wasn’t sure about him with Mathews/Marner, thought he should play in the bottom 6, but he’s really started to gel with them, the line looks great.

Getting a guy who’s a good fit on our top line for this price was an incredible steal for Dubas, especially after the flat COVID cap left us in such a tough spot.

Now let's hope they return Marner to the line because those 3 are dominant thus far, you cannot break that up.