Confirmed with Link: Maple Leafs re-sign Ben Smith for 1 year, $650K

[MapleLeafs9]

In other news.....

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[stickty111]

Nothing to complain about here. It just for expansion. Unless Babcock goes completely out of his mind.

 

[Mugzy97]

650k well spent in Vegas

 

[67Cup]

Smith now fulfills the requirements to be one if the two 70/40 forwards to be exposed in the expansion draft. Fehr is the other IIRC. This signing is a good piece of asset management

 

[thewave]

We now meet expansion draft criteria I am guessing?

 

[Mess]

Leafs needed 1 more forward that meets expansion requirements to expose to Vegas along with Fehr.

 

[ACC1224]

He'll never play another game for the Leafs.

 

[FlareKnight]

Yeah, nothing weird here. It makes sense why they did it. And frankly it's good for Ben Smith. He's not an NHL player and even this much money is nice for him to get.

He'll just get tossed on waivers (cause I can't believe Vegas would pick him) and disappear into the AHL.

 

[Buds17]

For expansion. No cap effect in case of being sent down too. Little risk.

 

[leafsfuture]

Ben Smith must be looking forward to making $650k to play in the AHL

 

[klamla]

i wish i was ben smith

 

[fahad203]

This is great news for all parties involved. Smith wasn't going to get another contract with NHL Team. He got some free money, leafs save a potential player

 

[BertCorbeau]

Not surprised

Hope to hell he only sees time with the Marlies next season, once he's waived and Vegas passes on him.

 

[burpsalot]

Nothing to complain about here. It just for expansion. Unless Babcock goes completely out of his mind.

Let's hope.

 

[Cor]

Ugh.

 

[93LEAFS]

Allows us to protect Martin, which isn't a surprise. Don't think they wanted to expose him due to his mentorship role with the kids. Although, it now probably leaves two of Leipsic, Rychel and Leivo exposed. Although, previously we were going to most likely lose one of them anyway.

We have to be leaving the worst batch of players for selection in the league, especially among playoff teams.

 

[Daisy Jane]

was this the only option?
like. wouldn't it have been better to expose say Matt Martin (because I doubt Vegas claims him) and save the money + contract slot?

 

[Walshy7]

ive seen quite a few twitter folks and some here saying there may be a deal in place for vegas to take fehr in the draft. Not sure what we would need to add in that scenario

 

[Mugzy97]

was this the only option?
like. wouldn't it have been better to expose say Matt Martin (because I doubt Vegas claims him) and save the money + contract slot?

Martin is a role player who is highly thought of around this team (i think), so maybe management didn't like the risk of losing that for nothing.

 

[ACC1224]

was this the only option?
like. wouldn't it have been better to expose say Matt Martin (because I doubt Vegas claims him) and save the money + contract slot?

You try to avoid if at all possible exposing guys that you want to retain.
IMO, Martin would be claimed, Leafs wouldn't want to take that chance.

 

[taurine330]

Two words: Expansion draft.

 

[TheDoldrums]

I don't see why Vegas would claim Martin ahead of either Rychel or Leivo.

 

[fahad203]

was this the only option?
like. wouldn't it have been better to expose say Matt Martin (because I doubt Vegas claims him) and save the money + contract slot?

Although, Vegas may not claim him there maybe other teams who may ask Vegas to pick him up for them

Let's say the Habs who maybe interested in Martin, they may get Mcphee tp trade a 5th rounder for him. Vegas gets a free 5th rounder for just providing concierge service

 

[Trapper]

Man I feel bad for the Habs.
Looks like they just missed another player that would be their best center.
The hits just keep coming.

Couldn't resist.

 

[fahad203]

Man I feel bad for the Habs.
Looks like they just missed another player that would be their best center.
The hits just keep coming.

Couldn't resist.

Well played

You know who's the happiest person in the world right now? David Deshanais.
Talk about a change of luck. He has been a good find for the Oilers.