Stéphane Robidas becomes consultant for Leafs (unofficial retirement)

[Booba]

Stephane Robidas has resurfaced as a Maple Leafs consultant.

The 39-year-old defenceman, who injured a leg in training camp last season and did not play all year, joined assistant general manager Mark Hunter and Leaf scouts here Friday for the opening of the four team NHL rookie tournament.

"I'll be doing some work at this event, with the Marlies and some NCAA," said Robidas.

He said he will continue to be based in Montreal where he has family. He said he hasn't been able to work out since getting hurt and has difficulty with activities such as tennis.

The move to the hockey department effectively retires Robidas and his $3 million US salary, which had one more year to run. Asked about Robidas's new duties, Hunter directed the question to GM Lou Lamoriello.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/16/stephane-robidas-takes-consultant-role-with-maple-leafs

Click to read more...

 

[BruinsBtn]

Solid player. Great career in Dallas. Very gritty.

Got a nice $9m parting gift from the Leafs for nothing. There's no ducking that +35 cap hit.

 

[Menzinger]

Nice guy, tried hard, legs stopped working.

His last contract was such a terrible move by Nonis.

 

[jasonleaffan]

Nice guy, tried hard, legs stopped working.

His last contract was such a terrible move by Nonis.

His contract has not hurt us at all

 

[tarheelhockey]

One of the warriors of his generation. Fantastic, underrated player who flat-out made his team better.

 

[Quid Pro Clowe]

Had a nice career. Guy wasn't Raffi Torres dirty or anything, but he did work with his stick. Broke Thornton's finger with a slash before the playoffs in '12.

 

[TOGuy14]

I'm surprised nobody has inferred the Leafs are manipulating the salary cap or something yet

 

[Kamiccolo]

I'm surprised nobody has inferred the Leafs are manipulating the salary cap or something yet

Because his cap hit still applies even if he retired as he is over 35

 

[Garbage Goal]

His contract has not hurt us at all

It would be hard and bordering on impressive to make a questionable enough contract to hurt a team that finished 30th and doesn't look to be competing in the short-term.

It was a bad contract. There's literally nothing wrong in admitting that. My team has one much more egregious than Robidas'.

 

[Terry Yake]

very gritty and one of those guys who went all out each game

hated him before he came to the ducks but it really bummed me out to see him go down in that dallas series

 

[The Thin White Duke]

Let's be honest we all know his real role will be keeping Lupul and co quiet on Robidas Island.

 

[DopeyFish]

My assumption is leafs offered him a job at same rate. Since he retires, it just becomes dead cap which makes him easier to move to anyone who is willing to take it for a pick or prospect we have no room for.

 

[Booba]

Solid player. Great career in Dallas. Very gritty.

Got a nice $9m parting gift from the Leafs for nothing. There's no ducking that +35 cap hit.

It's crazy how fast mentalities can change. In 2016, a guy like Seidenberg is still looking for a one-year deal while three years ago GMs were willing to throw rich multi-year contract at aging defencemen like Ference and Robidas.

 

[glovesave_35]

Too much was asked of Robidas in his later years in Dallas, but he always gave total effort and led by example. I will always have a lot of respect for the way he played.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

I'm surprised nobody has inferred the Leafs are manipulating the salary cap or something yet

Never heard about 35+ contracts ?

 

[TrillMike]

Loved him during his time in Dallas. Was a true warrior. Tough as nails too.

 

[Mad Brills*]

He's a a 35+ contract so unless he retired he was getting paid regardless. Better to let people know than have a repeat of last year where he legit was gone from the team for months.

 

[chatty4756]

Its no different then the pronger situation, at least the team that signed robidas to the contract is still using him in some capacity instead of trading the contract away

 

[izzy]

Decent career, good luck to him

 

[Peasy]

Never heard about 35+ contracts ?

Never heard about Chris Pronger?

Robidas hasn't skated in a year, he'll stay on the IR just like Pronger has.

 

[dechire]

Is he or is he not actually retired ? Because there's a pretty big difference in the implications of the two. "Effectively retired" has no meaning.

 

[Warden of the North]

My assumption is leafs offered him a job at same rate. Since he retires, it just becomes dead cap which makes him easier to move to anyone who is willing to take it for a pick or prospect we have no room for.

Hes not officially retiring, hes on LTIR. The Leafs just gave him something to do.

Being on LTIR we can use his capspace if we need it.

 

[ajp4to]

Hes not officially retiring, hes on LTIR. The Leafs just gave him something to do.

Being on LTIR we can use his capspace if we need it.

According to article in Sun by Hornby, Robidas retired and the cap hit is gone. Not sure if he's right or accurate but here is what he said: "More significantly, the retirement takes the last year of his $3 million US cap hit off the books."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/1...spect-shines-for-maple-leafs-against-senators

 

[Warden of the North]

According to article in Sun by Hornby, Robidas retired and the cap hit is gone. Not sure if he's right or accurate but here is what he said: "More significantly, the retirement takes the last year of his $3 million US cap hit off the books."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/1...spect-shines-for-maple-leafs-against-senators

Its wrong then. Hes on a 35+ contract so it counts. Thats why hes on LTIR

 

[Peasy]

According to article in Sun by Hornby, Robidas retired and the cap hit is gone. Not sure if he's right or accurate but here is what he said: "More significantly, the retirement takes the last year of his $3 million US cap hit off the books."

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/1...spect-shines-for-maple-leafs-against-senators

Thats just poor journalism.

This is the exact same situation as Pronger.