The Farm team isn't as bad as it seems. Only when all the signings from the offseason got injured, Toronto won 9 straight with all the rookies. Not to mention 2 of the better goalie prospects (Justin Pogge & Tuuka Rask) are in the system. And the young defensive core performed well when they were called up to the big club this year.
I read in the Toronto paper a few days ago that on defence Aki Berg(a.k.a. the pilon in Toronto) and Alex Khavenov wont be brought back. And that Eric Lindros is looking to sign an incentive laden contract that will pay a base of $750. And there's alot of talk around here about grabbing Patrick Elias from Jersey when free agency starts.
As for Bryan McCabe:
I personally don't want him back. He's a one dimensional defenceman that makes too many mistakes in the defensive zone. He's apparently asking for $5-$5.5 million but in the opinion a person that watched almost every leaf game this year, he's definately not worth more than Tomas Kaberle. The ppl in Toronto are watching the Tampa/Ottawa series very carefully. What I'm hearing is that with the money saved from McCabe, Ferguson is gonna make a strong push for either one of Wade Redden or Zdeno Chara from Ottawa, or Pavel Kubina from Tampa and Jay McKee from Buffalo.
As for goaltending:
Belfour has a buyout clause in his contract that would see him get $1.5 million
over 2 years that count against the cap. Curtis Joseph said he'll either sign with Phoenix or Toronto and that would serve as a good band aid until the goalie prospects are ready in a year or two. I'd be comfortable with Joseph and Aubin splitting duties for a year.
And with Quinn gone, look for former Carolina coach Paul Maurice to take over.
The future is getting brighter.
Last edited by The Watcher; 2006-04-24 10:34 PM.
