[Signing] Leafs sign Zaitsev to a 7 year extension ($4.5 mil AAV)

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

It's also worth nothing that had we not drafted Jankowski where we did, there were a few players picked after him who would have looked good on our current roster.

I assume you are referring to Maatta. In that case we might not have acquired Hamilton and if we still did then we'd be looking at trading Maatta or losing him to Vegas. I'm happy the way things turned out.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Wow. He's having a good first year but "steady defensively" is not how I would describe in the times I've seen him play. Interesting decision on the Leafs part. Not sure I would want a 7 year commitment on a first year player but who knows it could work out for them.

[The Fonz]

This may be the worst thread of all time.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by 3rd Degree

It's a gamble to be sure but there is zero benefit to signing Bennett to a bridge deal. That saves us cap space when we don't need it and leaves us open to being cap strapped once Tkachuk is off his elc. If the team believes in Bennett's potential, why not bring his cap down over an 8 year deal? They paid Brower 4.5 mil for god sakes. I don't think Bennett should be paid any more than 1.5 mil on a bridge deal based on his performance thus far. If you could get him for 4-4.5 for 8 years, I think that's a gamble worth making. At worst he's a hard nosed 3rd liner with skill. I'd rather pay Bennett 4.5 than waste it on Brower. Pay Vegas to select Brower and they're all set.

The owners aren't in the business of making $35 million dollar gambles.

Even if Bennett fully develops is he really going to be worth more than $5.5 million? If Gaudreau and Monahan's deals are any indication, I bet not.

So you're basically making a $35 million dollar gamble to possibly save $7 million dollars. Just doesn't make sense.

[calgaryblood]

And as much flak I've given Brouwer this year, and this isn't saying much but he's contributed more than Bennett has.

[Keselke]

Sweet Sam Bennett thread

[TheScorpion]

You know I like Bennett but he's no Jankowski.

Hey how about that Jankowski kid? I hear he's really tall.

[Poe969]

I think this is a good deal because Zaitsev is a euro version of Colborne.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by heep223

How is a 25 year old Russian d-man playing his first NHL season after defecting from the KHL in any way related to Sam Bennett's situation? Am I missing something?

It's obvious. Their last names both have 7 letters.

[3rd Degree]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

The owners aren't in the business of making $35 million dollar gambles.

Even if Bennett fully develops is he really going to be worth more than $5.5 million? If Gaudreau and Monahan's deals are any indication, I bet not.

So you're basically making a $35 million dollar gamble to possibly save $7 million dollars. Just doesn't make sense.

Make the aav less then. If 4.5 per is too much, how about 3.8-4? The final number is Tree's job. My point is it makes more sense to sign him long term using the benefit of the slow start to his career to keep his cap number low. Signing him to a bridge deal would be of zero benefit and a missed opportunity.

[red sky]

Who?

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

You know I like Bennett but he's no Jankowski.

Hey how about that Jankowski kid? I hear he's really tall.

You try too hard.

[rain_e]

In other news: Leafs sign Zaitsev to a 7 year extension ($4.5 mil AAV)

[savardandjokinen]

This is a Nikita Zaitsev thread. I don't see how a 25 year old Russian dman who is in his rookie season compares to Sam Bennett.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

This is a Nikita Zaitsev thread. I don't see how a 25 year old Russian dman who is in his rookie season compares to Sam Bennett.

Bennett is quickly becoming the new Jankowski. Hear about him in every thread.

[tsquared1967]

Originally Posted by rain_e

In other news: Leafs sign Zaitsev to a 7 year extension ($4.5 mil AAV)

Brodie signed for 6 years at $4.65 million AAV. Adam Larsson signed for 6 years at $4.167 million AAV. Lou Lamoriello sees Zaitsev's potential. Lou is pretty tight with money when negotiating player's contract. Look at what he did to Mitch Marner's bonus structure.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

Brodie signed for 6 years at $4.65 million AAV. Adam Larsson signed for 6 years at $4.167 million AAV. Lou Lamoriello sees Zaitsev's potential. Lou is pretty tight with money when negotiating player's contract. Look at what he did to Mitch Marner's bonus structure.

Luo has given out some just terrible contracts since the salary cap started. Usually to old guys that are done. Mogilny was one he managed to wriggle out of.

He had to trade San Jose a 1st rounder to get out of the Malakhov contract.

Zajac's contract is gross.

He gave Ruutu almost $4 million.

That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure he signed a lot of other bad deals over the years.

I wouldn't just assume a contract is going to be good because Lou signed it.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

It's also worth nothing that had we not drafted Jankowski where we did, there were a few players picked after him who would have looked good on our current roster.

Yes but are you still going to cheer for the team after they move to Seattle?

[tsquared1967]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Luo has given out some just terrible contracts since the salary cap started. Usually to old guys that are done. Mogilny was one he managed to wriggle out of.

He had to trade San Jose a 1st rounder to get out of the Malakhov contract.

Zajac's contract is gross.

He gave Ruutu almost $4 million.

That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure he signed a lot of other bad deals over the years.

I wouldn't just assume a contract is going to be good because Lou signed it.

He traded for Ruutu.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

He traded for Ruutu.

Ok. He traded for a $4 million dollar 4th liner. It doesn't make the decision any better.