LeBrun: Johnsson and Leafs closing in on extension (4 years, $3.4M AAV)

[Mersss]

Gardiner and Myers are supposedly looking at 7x7. Shattenkirk got 6.65m. A bottom pair guy in Alzner got 4.625m. I'm sure there are others.

Gardiner and Myers are both WAY betetr D-man then Zaitsev.

Shattenkrik was also highly touted when he signed that contract (as a #2 d-man)

So yah, doesn't chaneg the fact Zaitsev su*ks and the Leafs are either going to be stuck with him, or needing to take an equally abd contract int he deal

 

[Boxscore]

Gardiner and Myers are both WAY betetr D-man then Zaitsev.

Shattenkrik was also highly touted when he signed that contract (as a #2 d-man)

So yah, doesn't chaneg the fact Zaitsev su*ks and the Leafs are either going to be stuck with him, or needing to take an equally abd contract int he deal

Actually, just being honest, Zaitsev wasn't awful during his rookie year. He was actually pretty decent. He's also been good during international play. Last year Zaitsev had a down year and looked awful at times. I could see why the Leafs don't want to dedicate 5+ mil of their cap to him, but he isn't a terrible defenseman, he's just overpaid by like 1.5 mil and shouldn't be expected to anchor a top paring. He's a rock solid #4 D.

And, the only area Gadiner is better than Zaitsev is in the offensive end. Defensively, Zaitsev is better and Gardiner is a complete train wreck.

 

[realgoodleafs]

Gardiner and Myers are both WAY betetr D-man then Zaitsev.

Shattenkrik was also highly touted when he signed that contract (as a #2 d-man)

So yah, doesn't chaneg the fact Zaitsev su*ks and the Leafs are either going to be stuck with him, or needing to take an equally abd contract int he deal

You said he was paid like a #3 - 4 though when he isn't. He's also 3.9m in real dollars after July 1st.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

It sounds like it is done but they want to keep the space open on the off chance Marner gets an offet sheet

 

[Leaf Fans]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

They haven't signed yet, but all the talking heads say it they are done deals. Though if have ever had an official agreement, it is not done till there is ink on the page.

 

[Randy Randerson]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

I honestly wonder if these two get officially signed on the 1st day of the season to get the Leafs to cap compliance before they LTIR Horton

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

I honestly wonder if these two get officially signed on the 1st day of the season to get the Leafs to cap compliance before they LTIR Horton

Wouldn’t they miss training camp then to not risk injuries without a contract ?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

Wonder what the hold up is too? Agents want to squeeze Dubas for even more $?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I honestly wonder if these two get officially signed on the 1st day of the season to get the Leafs to cap compliance before they LTIR Horton

I dont see that happening. Players want that security and sign right away when a good deal comes their way. They wont play that game.

Marner situation is holding up this process of getting them signed and also will hold up the process of Dubas improving this team with UFAs if it goes past july 1st.

 

[Nizdizzle]

Actually, just being honest, Zaitsev wasn't awful during his rookie year. He was actually pretty decent. He's also been good during international play. Last year Zaitsev had a down year and looked awful at times. I could see why the Leafs don't want to dedicate 5+ mil of their cap to him, but he isn't a terrible defenseman, he's just overpaid by like 1.5 mil and shouldn't be expected to anchor a top paring. He's a rock solid #4 D.

And, the only area Gadiner is better than Zaitsev is in the offensive end. Defensively, Zaitsev is better and Gardiner is a complete train wreck.

Zaitsev has a cap hit of $4.5M.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Wouldn’t they miss training camp then to not risk injuries without a contract ?

yes to the first, the second would be pretty low risk without being on the ice

I dont see that happening. Players want that security and sign right away when a good deal comes their way. They wont play that game.

Marner situation is holding up this process of getting them signed and also will hold up the process of Dubas improving this team with UFAs if it goes past july 1st.

I'd buy that too, but the Leafs like their cap loopholes too

 

[janesy12]

So not a done deal with him and Kappys deal then i assume?

All the talk last week was people saying its done

According to Bob McKenzie it's done but Leafs are waiting to see what's happening with Marner. Likely both will be signed before July 1st in the off chance someone offers them an offer sheet at just below $4.2 per season (they only give up a 2nd rounder then).

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I dont see that happening. Players want that security and sign right away when a good deal comes their way. They wont play that game.

Marner situation is holding up this process of getting them signed and also will hold up the process of Dubas improving this team with UFAs if it goes past july 1st.

If there was ever summer where it OK to have RFA talks hold up your UFA plays it's this summer.

There aren't a ton of UFA Toronto needs except maybe a backup goalie.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

yes to the first, the second would be pretty low risk without being on the ice

Sorry, poor wording on my part. I meant that they would skip training camp to avoid injury since they didn’t have a signed deal.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Sorry, poor wording on my part. I meant that they would skip training camp to avoid injury since they didn’t have a signed deal.

ah I see. Can you attend camp without a contract? I guess that's a bit of a pickle

that said, Dubas has done things that weren't in the team's best interest to honour his commitment to players in the past - the Leivo trade is a good example, we got a guy back that is a long shot to be an NHL'er and the rumour is that Dubas committed to Leivo that he would trade him to a favourable situation if Babcock didn't make space on the roster for him if he signed an extension. So I wouldn't be surprised if Dubas told Kap/Johnsson that he would sign them if they got hurt if they wanted to come to camp.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

If there was ever summer where it OK to have RFA talks hold up your UFA plays it's this summer.

There aren't a ton of UFA Toronto needs except maybe a backup goalie.

Ya true enough. I guess trades are the best option to improve the team so then cap space can hopefully be opened up

 

[c3z4r]

Is the title official or is he still unsigned yet?

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Is the title official or is he still unsigned yet?

Him and Kap arent signed. Still just rumored and speculation that deals have been agreed on

 

[DopeyFish]

Him and Kap arent signed. Still just rumored and speculation that deals have been agreed on

To be more to the point, the deals are likely done they are just waiting until Marner is resolved simply because they don't want a team to sign him to an offer sheet that the team can't match

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Wonder what the hold up is too? Agents want to squeeze Dubas for even more $?

The hold up is the Marner negotiation. They've settled on a salary range and term. That salary range may vary by a 100k or 2 depending on Mitch.

 

[SniperOnTheWing]

It was said when the Kapanen deal first broke that it was contingent on getting the Marner contract settled. We can assume it's the same for the Johnsson deal. The paperwork is probably sitting on Dubas' desk right now and until he knows exactly where the cap stands (with a signed Marner) he's reluctant to officially eat the cap space.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Him and Kap arent signed. Still just rumored and speculation that deals have been agreed on

One of 3 things at work here. There can be only 3 scenarios. I don't know. But let's discuss them until they are signed.

1. Waiting to see how much money Marner is going to take off the cap before the Leafs can assure Kap and Johnsson getting a piece of the pie

2. Agents and players want to squeeze Dubas for more money. Let's remember Johnsson already declined one offer last April.

3. Or has an offer sheet entered the equation?

 

[TheDoldrums]

Him and Kap arent signed. Still just rumored and speculation that deals have been agreed on

Bob McKenzie saying it's done is not a rumour or speculation.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Bob McKenzie saying it's done is not a rumour or speculation.

IMO until a deal is actually signed, its just speculation/rumor. Them not officially signed leaves the potential for offer sheets or whatever.

People keep saying that it depends on Marner situation but what if Dubas has to pay more than he expects? Will he have to go back to AJ and Kap and say that this deal actually a no go now cause they had to pay more?