Confirmed with Link: The @MapleLeafs have signed defenceman Teemu Kivihalme to a one-year entry level contract.

[selltrade]

Sign talent and let it sort itself out... great signing

 

[janesy12]

Depth for the Marlies. Leafs know they are losing guys next year so we need to restock the cupboard.

 

[teddygmr]

with Rosen's injury, he could almost certainly help the Marlies right now. The only left shooting dmen they are playing are Sandin and Borgman (who I believe is injured.)

 

[Matthews34]

I'm guessing we would have scouting him while watching Lindgren playing in the Liiga finals.



We are actually weak at LD depth for the Marlies next season. After Sandin, who do we have? Borgman and Rosen could very well both be in the NHL next season.

At RHD, we have: Liljegren, Hollowell, Duszak, Rasanan*, etc.

That may be true but RHDs are the toughest to find in hockey so stocking up on them should be a priority since they hold such a high trade value. Top 6 LHDs are dime a dozen.

 

[Magic Man]

So instead of signing the big Liiga offensive star RHD we sign another small LHD??? I don't understand this at all.

The Marlies will have Liljegren, Hollowell, Duszak, Holl, Lindgren and Rasanen on the right side next season. Potentially Jordan Subban as well if tendered an offer. So far, they only have Sandin on the left. Now, they have added Kivihalme. Potentially Fedor Gordeev as well if tendered an offer. To balance pairings it made sense to grab a good LHD pro ready prospect. They are still likely in on Kaski, as of now he won't sign until after the World Championships and Detroit is the favorite. What if they miss on Kaski? Now they have options in house.

As a secondary option to Kaski, Chase Priskie becomes FA on August 15th. He's another RHD.

This kid is a lot better then other projects we have signed. His skating is at the NHL level and his shot is as well. Gardiner and Haisney and perhaps Zaitsev are all going to be gone. We need D man. Dermott got exposed in the playoffs this year so having more depth is a good thing. Rosen is the only D man who played in the AHL last season who could move up other then out two young D man.

I really like this signing.

Borgman is the front runner for the #7 D.

 

[Mckay]

I'll never understand people who like to whine and cry about signings like this.

Some just aren't happy unless they are miserable.

 

[ottomaddox]

Save it for the Dubas Application Thread people!

 

[Cor]

That may be true but RHDs are the toughest to find in hockey so stocking up on them should be a priority since they hold such a high trade value. Top 6 LHDs are dime a dozen.

Who says we didn’t try to sign Kaski?

 

[The Iceman]

I would say that he is poor man's Colten Parayko. Could be a gem or a bust in NHL-level.


So poor he couldn't afford to eat I guess...180 lbs vs 230 lbs

 

[Jussi]

Apparently minor injury/injuries.

 

[deletethis]

Presumably the Leafs' scout checking out Jesper Lindgren in the Liga playoffs spotted Kivihalme in the final series.

 

[HoweHullOrr]

Elite prospect for sure...

Yep. What happened in Nashville? Did they just fall asleep on the guy and not give him any encouragement to stay within their system?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Who says we didn’t try to sign Kaski?

Last I heard, Wings had the inside track there.

 

[Randy Randerson]

well the European scouts looking at UDFA's have been pretty good for us, no home runs but only Lindholm so far has been below NHL caliber. If they think he's worth a gamble giving away 1 contract slot for 1 year, let's take that as a good thing

 

[Cleetus]

I'll never understand people who like to whine and cry about signings like this.

Some just aren't happy unless they are miserable.

I agree, low risk and could be a high reward player its a no brainer to keep signing these players you never know!

 

[dangomon]

well the European scouts looking at UDFA's have been pretty good for us, no home runs but only Lindholm so far has been below NHL caliber. If they think he's worth a gamble giving away 1 contract slot for 1 year, let's take that as a good thing

Not undrafted for what it's worth. But never a bad thing to pick someone up for free with nothing anchoring you to the player long-term.

 

[IcePhoenix]

I would say that he is poor man's Colten Parayko. Could be a gem or a bust in NHL-level.


So poor he couldn't afford to eat I guess...180 lbs vs 230 lbs

I meant that his playing style is close to Parayko. Of course there is notable size difference

 

[Randy Randerson]

Not undrafted for what it's worth. But never a bad thing to pick someone up for free with nothing anchoring you to the player long-term.

ya, I just lump the non-signees in with the undrafteds I guess, I believe its the same scouts and I think they've earned some credit for finding NHL'ers from outside of the league

 

[Cor]

I'll never understand people who like to whine and cry about signings like this.

Some just aren't happy unless they are miserable.

It's not about the signing.

It's about the GM.

People who don't like Dubas will complain if he traded Nylander, Zaitsev and Marleau for McDavid.

 

[Kiwi]

Never heard of him but I like free ****

Let's give him an opportunity and see what we've got, nothing to lose in trying

 

[trellaine201]

Under the radar pick up. How many roster spots do we have? Contracts?

 

[Toronto makebeleifs]

Meh, another free wallet to watch at the Ricoh next year. Hope he does well

 

[Cor]

Under the radar pick up. How many roster spots do we have? Contracts?

We have 37 contracts signed for next season. 13 spots remaining

8 Pending RFA - (Marner, Kapanen, Johnsson, Baptiste, Gagne, Carcone, Subban, McAdam)
9 Pending UFA - (Hutchinson, Olesky, LoVerde, Jooris, Mueller, Marincin, Hainsey, Gardiner, Ennis)

 

[MJ65]

Good signing for sure, I am not sure how he is going to pan out but you still need to fill put your roster and with this cap era you need to find different avenues to fill your roster and also your minor club

These are essentially the risk free signings where you are not giving up any assets and the cost is bare minimum, you need these type (cheap) of contracts, where you are pinching for every penny (with your cap) - one day you might get lucky and might find a hidden gem - low risk kind of signings

 

[DanM]

I don't know much about him, and apparently small injuries (not serious) are keeping him off the WC roster, I would have liked to watch him.

But he is getting mostly positive reception on the boards and from Pred fans, I am curious to see more of him.