If there’s one thing that’s certain year after year, it’s seeing the Leafs active when free agency opens.
Every year they seem to be one of the most active teams. 2024 was no exception as Toronto signed Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jani Hakanpää and Anthony Stolarz.
The team also extended Max Domi’s contract less than 24 hours before the opening of the free agent market.
Obviously, the signatures remain strange.. First, Tanev (34) signed a six-year contract (!). This pact will take him until he’s 40. I understand that he’s a defensive defenseman who fits perfectly into what the Leafs are looking for, but…
There’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’s no longer young either. And finally, Hakanpää, a six-foot-seven guy who, on paper, is a nice little signing (2 years/$3 million). The problem with the Finnish defenseman: There’s a chance he’ll never play hockey again.
This is what Steve Simmons wrote in a text published on Toronto Sun.
Doctors have confirmed that he can be signed, but apparently his knee is in a bad condition.
He doesn’t have much cartilage left in his knee. In any case, according to Simmons, if he plays again, it would surprise a lot of people who have been around the player in recent seasons. Two years ago, he was playing 18 minutes per game for the Stars. In 2024, he could be a major contributor to the long-term injured list…
I understand that the doctors gave the green light for the athlete to sign a contract, but I don’t think Brad Treliving did his homework more than he needed to. And giving him a two-year deal is probably the worst mistake in this story. At the limit, he could have offered him a one-year pact, right? It would have been less risky… In any case, we will know more about his health in the fall, confirmed Simmons.
In short, the organization, which is also reportedly considering removing the “C” from John Tavares, continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons. Either they are signing old defensemen at the end of their careers instead of acquiring a true number one defenseman or they are signing guys to enjoy the warm sun of Robidas Island… #Klingberg
A lot of
– That’s a good amount.
– Jacob Fowler says he is in good hands.
– Obviously.
– A Preds prospect is eager to start hitting.
#Preds dev coach Mark Borowiecki said 1st round pick Yegor Surin came up to him after his first dev camp practice and said “I want to hit people. When can I hit?”
byu/_Dirty_Commie_ inPredators
– Forgotten players.
