[Signing] Leafs sign Joe Thornton (1 year, $700k AAV, NMC)

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Gern Blankston

The Leaf could run 4 centers, all former 1st over all picks. I doubt that has ever happened.

Spezza was picked second overall

[djsFlames]

It's funny that the Leafs think these old man signings up front are the answer.

Pool all that money for a defensive d-man and it probably does them more good.

Edmontonitis is a sad disease.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It's funny that the Leafs think these old man signings up front are the answer.

Pool all that money for a defensive d-man and it probably does them more good.

Edmontonitis is a sad disease.

Thornton (and Spezza) saves money, they couldn't get another forward cheaper

[GioforPM]

So Simmonds-Thornton-Spezza?

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So Simmonds-Thornton-Spezza?

I can’t think of names at the moment but there’s no way they put that slow line together. My guess is Spezza plays the fourth line, Thornton and Simmonds play the second, and a up and coming finisher plays with Thornton. Again, his passing is too good to waste on a guy who is slow.

Edit: I think Nick Robertson would fit that bill well.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by fleury

I can’t think of names at the moment but there’s no way they put that slow line together. My guess is Spezza plays the fourth line, Thornton and Simmonds play the second, and a up and coming finisher plays with Thornton. Again, his passing is too good to waste on a guy who is slow.

Thornton on the second line? What about JT?

So etching like this:

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Thornton-Simmonds
Robertson-Spezza-______

4th line RW can be one of the other 10 guys they recently signed.

I have no idea how the bottom half of this lineup will look. Robetson probably needs to be in the Top 3 lines. They've signed at least 6 guys that can fit into the bottom six.

[savemedrzaius]

The best part about this deal is Thornton does not suffer fools. If these young guys aren't doing things the right way he will call them out.

I always got the feeling Tavares is too nice a guy and wouldn't want to call anyone out. Thornton doesn't give a ####.

It will be interesting to see how these young guys react if that does happen. Will they be able to handle it? If not you get a good idea of their character at least.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by fleury

I can’t think of names at the moment but there’s no way they put that slow line together. My guess is Spezza plays the fourth line, Thornton and Simmonds play the second, and a up and coming finisher plays with Thornton. Again, his passing is too good to waste on a guy who is slow.

Edit: I think Nick Robertson would fit that bill well.

I was kinda joking - the walker line.

[topfiverecords]

Beardless Joe not as good as Bearded Joe. He better grow it again before game 1.

[Jacks]

Well if they included a full NMC I guess they can't bury him if he doesn't work out. Cap hit is so low though it's worth the gamble.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

Thornton on the second line? What about JT?

So etching like this:

Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Thornton-Simmonds
Robertson-Spezza-______

4th line RW can be one of the other 10 guys they recently signed.

I have no idea how the bottom half of this lineup will look. Robetson probably needs to be in the Top 3 lines. They've signed at least 6 guys that can fit into the bottom six.

Sorry, meant the second last line.

[Locke]

Someone did tell him that Marleau isnt there anymore....right?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Beardless Joe not as good as Bearded Joe. He better grow it again before game 1.

I think the beard was the one who ended that relationship, no? I mean, I heard that as soon as it found out Joe was not staying in SJ, it was over.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[chummer]

Like Elliotte Friedman, he looks 20 years younger without the beard.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Well if they included a full NMC I guess they can't bury him if he doesn't work out. Cap hit is so low though it's worth the gamble.

You're never going to bury him when his cap hit is $700k. He's cheaper than the guy you replace him with. If you aren't dressing him, he's eating popcorn.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It's funny that the Leafs think these old man signings up front are the answer.

Pool all that money for a defensive d-man and it probably does them more good.

Edmontonitis is a sad disease.

Yes, they need defensive help, but that doesn't make these signings a bad idea.

You need 13 or 14 forwards. These guys are signed for $700k, the minimum, leaving them with more money for defensemen.

And as for helping the lineup, veteran forwards are always valuable in the playoffs. Pavelski and Perry were 2 of Dallas' best forwards in the playoffs. Lucic was one of our better forwards.

I just don't see any way that these signings are bad for the Leafs. The worst case scenario is that they are minimum contract guys eating popcorn as insurance. Anything more than that is a win.

Also, JT is an awesome dude who grew up in Southern Ont. He will be jacked to be wearing the Maple Leaf in the playoffs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

And as for helping the lineup, veteran forwards are always valuable in the playoffs. Pavelski and Perry were 2 of Dallas' best forwards in the playoffs. Lucic was one of our better forwards.

That's interesting. The Flames three oldest forwards in the playoffs were Ryan (33), Lucic (31), and Backlund (31). Both Lucic and Backlund were arguably the most consistent and effective forwards in the playoffs.

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[Jacks]

Jeezus TSN, top dozen links on their site are about Thornton. You'd think TOR landed the top UFA or something.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

beardless joe not as good as bearded joe. He better grow it again before game 1.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1256678363835461632

[Inferno]

Joe Thornton: 'I need to win a Stanley Cup'

Signs with Toronto.

Did you mean on NHL 21 Joe?