Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Brett Lebda
by PPP on Jul 8, 2010 12:07 AM EDT
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PrintThe Toronto Maple Leafs, for reasons known only to them, have signed free agent defenceman Brett Lebda formerly of the 2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings to a two year, $2.9M contract. The assumption, and please God the right conclusion, is that this signing is a precursor to a trade of Tomas Kaberle and the purging by any means necessary of Jeff Finger from the Leafs' blue line. The short-term nature of the deal is good as it gives prospects like Keith Aulie, Korbinian Holzer, Juraj Mikus, and Simon Gysbers another year on the Marlies to develop. Once Finger and Kaberle have been dealt with that will allow whichever kid is playing the best to come up and fill in for injuries or to act as the seventh defenceman.
Thankfully, that's how Lyle Richardson reads it:
Lebda's signing will only ramp up speculation the Leafs are closing in on a trade of Kaberle. It's also possible however Lebda could Finger's replacement, as it's speculated the Leafs could demote him to clear his $3.5 million salary from their cap space next season.
After a little thought, as long as the other two moves are made I'll understand the logic. It's similar to the Kubina trade last season which was a precursor to signing Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek. The drawback, as with the Colby Armstrong signing, is that it still takes away from the Leafs' flexibility. They now have $4.5M less that they can use towards addressing the gap in the top six forwards and it's a handicap that did not need to be taken on at this time. I feel like the timing of the deal is a big factor. If Burke had taken some decisive action on Jeff Finger (could he help a team get to the salary floor?) or had consumated a deal for Tomas Kaberle (seriously, he can't keep him now can he?) then I feel the reaction would be if not different then certainly much more tempered. After the jump, more on Brett Lebda.
Brett Lebda
#22 / Defenseman / Toronto Maple Leafs
5-9
195
Jan 15, 1982
Years in the NHL: 5
Became a Leaf: Today
Contract Status: In year 1 of a two year deal; $1.45M cap hit
The price tag is a head scratcher since Lebda was only making $650K a year on his last deal when his highets point total was 18 and last year he racked up 8. The bright side is that if one of the kids proves that he deserves to be in the NHL then there will only be $1.45M in the pressbox instead of $3.5M. This means that the Leafs have $27.775M tied up on the blueline...for now.
So what does $1.45M buy the Leafs?
His QCOMP was -0.105 which was among the worst in the league and his QTEAM was -0.299 which was also among the worst in the league. His Corsi ratings aren't good but that's to be expected considering the role he was playing. He started 56% of his shifts in the offensive zone so he was also getting shielded a lot. His PDO was .998 so he wasn't get burned or boosted by unsustainable goaltending or shooting percentage. He is basically a replacement-level player as his GVT is 0.9. He doesn't kill penalties and won't with Beauchemin, Phaneuf, Schenn, and Komisarek drawing those minutes and he doesn't play the powerplay.
Basically, he's a 6/7th defenceman albeit a well-renumerated one. It's an overpay no doubt and while people can try to say it's just 2% of the cap the reality is that every dollar that is overpaid adds up until eventually it leads to a cap penalty. The one bright side is that at least the shape of the idea was good. Lebda is a veteran defenceman that can keep the kids shielded. One main thing I'd point out is that it's clear that this summer is still very much a work in progress. While the first two signings have been head scratchers the trade for Versteeg was a good one. As such, before laughably suggesting that it's time for Burke to be fired (hint: Ron Wilson won't get canned this summer either) I think we need to see where the rest o fthis summer goes before grading the summer beyond an 'incomplete'.
What Twitter Had To Say
Dave Poulin (asst GM, Lebda's coach at ND): "He's a very mobile puck-moving D who will complement the group that we have very well."
Jesus Toronto. Don't you have Center Ice?
- iwocpo
Brent Lebda, never heard of him. Scoring winger with size right?
Brett Lebda has a stack of money that's taller than Brett Lebda.
The Lebda signing will make much more sense once Kaberle has been traded for a forward and Finger has been sent to the Marlies
Thank you Brett Lebda for leaving Detroit #redwings. Don't let the door hit your in the ass on your way out.
When a no-name defenceman like Brett Lebda is the 2nd most trending topic in Canada that can only mean one thing, he was signed by the Leafs
Here's a video of the newest Leaf. Funny story, before I read about the signing, I went to the Leafs website and was absolutely baffled as to why there was a Lebda video. I thought it was a glitch. In some ways, it is.
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Funny story, before I read about the signing, I went to the Leafs website and was absolutely baffled as to why there was a Lebda video. I thought it was a glitch. In some ways, it is.
MONEY!!!1
You know what I hate reading? “Once … Tomas Kaberle is traded.” Breaks my heart everytime.
I’m not buying what Burke is selling right now.
Would rather he didn’t trade for Versteeg, didn’t sign Armstrong and Lebda, and went after Kovalchuk. It’s a goddamn shame that the Toronto mother fucking Maple Leafs are not in play on the best free agent out there. And he’s still out there, eight days into free agency. It’s bullshit, plain and simple. And of course the Leafs also have “no interest” in Nik Zherdev. Why would they? He’s not truculent enough.
Fuck truculence.
What the hell is going on? If Brett Lebda is the puck-moving d-man that Burke has brought in to replace Tomas fucking Kaberle, LORD HELP US ALL.
A Toronto sports blog, where unabashed homerism is alive and well...
Fuck Truculence?
Can he say that?
You mess with the bull young man, you'll get the horns - Principal Richard Vernon
by Biff Carrington on Jul 8, 2010 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree
It’s a shame that the Leafs were not in on Kovy and a crime that they were not interested in Zherdev.
Ledba’s not in there to replace your man TK. It’s going to take a village to replace his cross-ice pass like you wouldn’t believe.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
It’s hard to know what he’s going for. It sure sounds like he’s headed towards a ridiculous contract in which case, thank God the Leafs didn’t sign him.
But if it’s reasonable…
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
even if it is… oh who am I kidding, as annoyed as I am by this whole not signing yet, I’d love him if he came here and scored 40 goals consistently.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jul 8, 2010 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions
7 years, $60 million for a guy who has scored 40 or more goals each of the past 6 seasons is certainly not chump change. But he’s exactly what the Leafs need. Especially the power play.
A Toronto sports blog, where unabashed homerism is alive and well...
that would be funny if tomorrow Kovalcuk signed with the leafs, kabby got traded for a top sixer and some very generous gm takes finger for a water bottle.
Whoa, I think you’re setting your sights a little high there. Water bottles are very versitalie (definitely more than Finger). If we could get a bag of fresh air for Finger, we would have fleeced the other team.
I am the commenter formerly known as Belligerent Burkie
Follow me on twitter @CoolJ90 or add me to XBox Live - CoolJ90
We should definitely change our chumps.
by not norm ullman on Jul 8, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Would rather he didn’t trade for Versteeg, didn’t sign Armstrong and Lebda, and went after Kovalchuk. It’s a goddamn shame that the Toronto mother fucking Maple Leafs are not in play on the best free agent out there.
I think Burke isn’t going after Kovalchuk because he doesn’t believe there is another player our there that is on the same level as a Crosby, Ovechkin or Malkin; and thus doesn’t want to be paying $8+ million dollars to a 40 goal scorer, when he’s paying Phil Kessel $5.4 mil for what he believes will be a 40 goal scorer. Just a thought.
And of course the Leafs also have "no interest" in Nik Zherdev.
Not that he isn’t a good player, but he doesn’t really fit the mold of a team player.
What the hell is going on? If Brett Lebda is the puck-moving d-man that Burke has brought in to replace Tomas fucking Kaberle, LORD HELP US ALL.
There is nobody readily available who can replace Kaberle. And we probably won’t have anybody who is as good a passer and playmaker from the back-end as Kabs for a while. The best we can hope for (if Kaberle is moved) in the next few years is a solid poor-man’s Kaberle. However, the Leafs right now are at a point where it can definitely be debated whether or not the Leafs are better suited to trade Kaberle.
Right now the Leafs have too much money committed to D, and a serious lack of scoring threats up front. Our goalies right now either can’t/shouldn’t be moved because of either age or salary (both good and bad). We also can’t really trade a punch of (mostly) pluggers for a scoring forward since Calgary is around the max and have nobody we can really trade for now (Sutter FTW!!1). And we definitely can’t be trading prospects unless we can somehow get another young, skilled forward without giving up a guy like Nazem (unless it’s a realllllly good player).
That leaves defence, and right now Phaneuf isn’t going anywhere, Schenn isn’t likely to go, Finger and Komi don’t have the value, Gunnarsson is not someone we should trade, our other prospects on D either don’t have the value, or we should keep and develop them and Francois isn’t likely to go either. That leaves Kaberle.
I am actually pretty sad that all we talk about when discussing Kaberle now is a potential trade. He is a very good offensive d-man, and there are very few teams out there that wouldn’t be better off having him (DET for example). However, the Leafs are at a crossroads when it comes to Kaberle, and the path needs to be chosen. And I think we can all agree that we’d like that path to be chosed as soon as possible, whether it’s a trade or a new contract, something needs to happen. I don’t want Kaberle on the team without an extension, because we’ll be hearing all year about Kaberle maybe being asked to waive his no-trade clause. And that will be a shame. And I think most of us are tired with this by now.
You were right when you said “Kaberle hasn’t changed, you have”. Kaberle is still the same player he’s been (for the most part), but the Leafs have certainly changed a lot in the last two or three seasons. And I hope we can put these rumours to bed soon and we can all go on with our lives and start to look forward to the future of the Leafs instead of dwelling on an endless rumour.
I am the commenter formerly known as Belligerent Burkie
Follow me on twitter @CoolJ90 or add me to XBox Live - CoolJ90
by CoolJ90 on Jul 8, 2010 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yup
this deserves a rec’n
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jul 8, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as there’s a chance Lebda will become an Alexander Karpotsev resurrection, I’ll be somewhat ambivalent.
Sounds like the people above and below me are not happy though.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
The only good thing about McCabe is that he got us VanRyn.
Wait…..
Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.
To be fair...
That was a pretty solid 12-game stretch he put up before the chronic injuries set in.
Visit my blog at: http://50-mission-cap.blogspot.com/
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)
by FiftyMissionCap on Jul 8, 2010 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Huh?
Maybe this is a good thing but when I watched the Wings I never noticed Lebda on the ice. Unlike the Finger/Exelby two-headed turnstile.
That’s a good point.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Lebda at 1.5M allows the Leafs to bury Finger deeper in the minors, meaning if they have another long term injury (like Komisarek) they won’t have to recall his3.5M contract. I consider him a replacement for Exelby. If they trade Kaberle that makes Lebda a 6 or 7 defenseman, and if he was good enough to play for the Wings, he’s probably good enough to play for the Leafs.
The only free agents I wanted Burke to even consider pursuing were veterans on short-term deals.
Lebda’s played nearly 400 games (326 RS, 62 playoffs) and he landed a 2 year deal.
I presume signing Lebda means Aulie, Holzer and Mikus get to play big minutes in the Marlies instead of one of them sitting in the press box of the ACC or playing nine minutes a night in the bigs, and that’s ok by me.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I’m with you on that. While being a bit overpaid, at least it’s short term. What I don’t like about it though is that it’s coming before a Kaberle trade or a waive of Jeff Finger. I think Burke is counting his chickens before they hatch here and is assuming that he can find a trade partner for Kaberle. If he doesn’t (because he’ll be stubborn on the return), then what happens when we have 9 defensemen on contract for next year?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
This
That’s my big worry. He’s locked into a deal now even though he won’t admit it. It might not be Kaberle but it has to be someone.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I hear you, but Frogren spent last season with the Marlies. If they can’t make a move, maybe this year it’s Lebda’s turn to ride the bus.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I think the phrase you’re looking for is Lambda Lambda Lambda!!!!1
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Man….The Glitch would be a totally fetch nickname.
Not Liking Nikolai Kulemin Means You Have No Soul
Stop trying to make fetch happen.
I like to get banged.
by Phaneuf's Rock Collection on Jul 8, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I kind of like it too. I’m torn between that and Bob Dole.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wait for the Leafs to commit to much salary to land the other Poulin-coached Notre Dame great: Yan Stastny.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
On June 29, 2010, Yan Šťastný moved to CSKA Moscow (KHL – Continental Hockey League).
Phew! Looks like we’ve dodged the bullet there.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Beauchemin?
You mess with the bull young man, you'll get the horns - Principal Richard Vernon
by Biff Carrington on Jul 8, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Lebda is basically Jeff Finger’s replacement, for basically 1/3 the price.
Finger will either be pawned off in one of the greatest upsells of all time (Glen Sather, I’m looking at you), or will take over Jonas Frogren’s role of ex-NHLer riding the bus.
Now, you could ask why the Leafs didn’t look for cheaper or younger help. And it’s a fair question. Lebda brings a certain level of playoff experience (and a Cup ring), which was likely a factor in the Leafs targetting him. He also brings decent wheels to a d-corps that is lacking speed after Kaberle (and to an extent, Gunnarsson).
They could have given the 6/7 role to a prospect making an impression in camp, but clearly Burke doesn’t want to rush those guys. Blacker likely won’t play in the NHL until 2011-12, Holzer is a wildcard as he’s only played in North America in IIHF and Olympic tournaments, which leaves Gysbers and Mikus as the the two likeliest candidates to see time. But there’s no guarantee either is ready to make the jump … so depth becomes necessary.
Could a cheaper alternative have been found? Perhaps. But the key to the deal – and the reason I’m not bothered by it in the least – is the two-year length, which makes the contract moveable. He’s affordable enough to garner some trade interest in the event there is no place for him next season, and it won’t exactly hurt to bury him in the ‘A’, or even buy him out, if necessary. So there is actually a degree of flexibility, in terms of what I guess you could call “transaction potential.”
Overall? Doesn’t help a whole lot, doesn’t hurt a whole lot, buys the kids some time, contract is moveable, and won’t have adverse long-term effects.
At 1.45m per, for 2 years, I can live with that.
"One day, we'll be perfect." - The Tao of Stieb
If
this is a precursor to Kaberle and Finger (and I stress if…) then I’m ok with it. That being said I really don’t think he possesses the necessary level of truculence to be a major player for the Leafs, which is why I was surprised to see this
by Sonic_Screwdriver on Jul 8, 2010 2:34 AM EDT reply actions
I wonder why
So many people KNOW more about building a hockey team better than Brian Burke and co. on this site?
Its staggering
I for one am so happy they are in charge of my favourite team. I might be the weirdo?
by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Jul 8, 2010 3:00 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Might be
Mike “Peed On” Milbury was a GM once too. Just because they are there doesn’t mean anything.
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
Just because Jay McClement is the best defensive forward in the NHL doesn't mean he should win the Selke.
Mike Milbury's
Freshly squeezed stool knows more about hockey than you and I put together. And I have been an avid follower of the sport since 1985.
by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Jul 8, 2010 4:27 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So your going on record as being a supporter of Milbury as a GM?
He raged at the world, at his family, at his life. But mostly he just raged.
Just because Jay McClement is the best defensive forward in the NHL doesn't mean he should win the Selke.
That’s just plain ludicrous.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Seems like most of the posts
have been to the tune of “I don’t like this but I trust Burke” or something like that. It’s our jobs as fans to criticize moves and talk about them. If we aren’t allowed to comment on this kind of stuff then what is the point of a blog?
As a fan of this site
Its my “job” to criticize the criticizers. We can all take a little heat for what we write
by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Jul 8, 2010 4:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wonder why you bother commenting at all if all you are going to ever add to the conversation is “well, they are pros so they don’t make mistakes”.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I am increasingly skeptical the degree to which “traditional hockey knowledge” is the most important thing in a modern sports environment. Look at Andrew Friedman and Theo Epstein—these guys are pencil pushers, not “ball players”. They’re also two of the best GMs in baseball—where there’s not even a cap to worry about! In a hard-capped environment, ability to work the cap, recognize market inefficiencies and yes, analyze statistics are more important than scouting ability for a GM—that’s why you have a scouting department.
As for Milbury, give me a break. I’ll happily concede that his freshly squeezed stool has more hockey knowledge than me, but I can say with 100% certainty I’d be a better GM than him. It’s about a hell of a lot more than just hockey knowledge now.
So people can defend Burke, they can criticize him, they can ignore it, but let’s not fall back on a meaningless resort to authority.
by The '67 Sound on Jul 8, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Where is
Paul DePodesto on your list?
by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Jul 8, 2010 12:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, there's a bunch
But baseball was always ahead of other sports in the stathead revolution. Guys like Morey in the NBA are leading the charge too.
by The '67 Sound on Jul 8, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Smooth as silk skater. 28 and entering his prime with some superb mentors such as Lidstrom, Chelly, Rafalski etc….. Two year deal a little pricey but watching this guy with the Wings the past few years is always a joy.
Love to have another Cup winner with us, Finger and Kaberle, see ya later. Kabby gets traded soon for a decent forward – I hope. Finger gets buried in the minors or hopefully traded.
Very happy with this signing. Well done BB and DN.
Top six now d-men now set, or so I think! Burkie loves his American guys.
Gotta check out what Wings fans think of this. Should be more than interesting.
Averaged about 70 games a year over the past four years. Durable. Only in one fight in his career.
Aren’t looking for truculence from Lebda.
Some Wings fans seem quite happy that he is gone for a variety of reasons, but I love this depth signing.
Intriguing to see if possibly Burke wants to package him with Kaberle in a deal. I very much doubt it, but I suspect the Kabby deal is going down any minute now with others going along with him. Maybe Grabovski, maybe Blacker or Aulie, but let us pray it is Finger.
Kaberle and Finger for Jeff Carter! We can dream. Carter stank last year, but I think he’ll be back playing well next year likely with Philly.
Nail hits head
The assumption, and please God the right conclusion, is that this signing is a precursor to a trade of Tomas Kaberle and the purging by any means necessary of Jeff Finger from the Leafs’ blue line.
After a little thought, as long as the other two moves are made I’ll understand the logic.
If BOTH things happen, then I will be satisfied. Also, if Burke can actually turn Kaberle into a top 6 forward (somehow), I won’t criticize any of his UFA overpayments again.
"I don’t like this but I trust Burke" or something like that. It’s our jobs as fans to criticize moves and talk about them. If we aren’t allowed to comment on this kind of stuff then what is the point of a blog?
Exactly. Just because we believe in what Burke & co are doing to turn this franchise around, it doesn’t mean every one of their moves is correct – and why should we let them off the hook? That kinda sounds like when Britney Spears went on TV and said “I think we should just trust our president [George W. Bush] in every decision he makes and should just support that, you know, and be faithful in what happens.”
And if by God we’re over the cap due to perf bonuses and that difference was due to the increased salary of Brett Lebda over a replacement player, Then the Leafs are absolutely horrible at cap management.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 8, 2010 6:19 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Great post. LOVE the Britney Spears quote to illustrate your point. Hilarious.
We just may yet become a hockey team without a drinking problem except our President.
Cheers to President Burke! This profoundly patriotic citizen of Leaf Nation has faith in you, but NOT blind faith.
He gets four years as any President does then, if nothing has changed, he will be voted out. If we aren’t expected to contend for a Cup, and fully expected to make the playoffs every year and full respect restored to the glorious blue and white by then then I must bid you adieu my dear President.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions
heh
JBPC = Britney Spears made me spit water on my screen.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
We shuda signed Lady-in-red instead....
ladies and gentlemen our new hero, Brett Lebda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBBjuZH9bNg
by Peter de Chatham on Jul 7, 2010 8:30 PM PDT reply
Dammit! How I wish I got YouTube over here in the far far away freaked up land.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions
He looks like he’s great in the room!
You mess with the bull young man, you'll get the horns - Principal Richard Vernon
by Biff Carrington on Jul 8, 2010 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Waiting for da Kaberle trade any hour now...
….or god forbid…Luke Schenn
If we got offensive value for Schenn I would move him in a heartbeat. I do not think anyone on this squad is untouchable save for Kessel, and because I love Kulemin’s potential so much, well, please do not trade that man. Kessel and Kulemin – the only untouchables – for me.
Everyone else including Kadri, Phaneuf etc….. move ‘em if you have to BB and DN. Just get us some more freakin’ firepower!
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions
firepower
is overrated.
see: Devils, New Jersey
I know the scored goals, but they were better BEFORE acquiring Kovy.
"the usefulness of a cup, is in it's emptiness"
by Maniel Darois on Jul 8, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Hhhmmmmmm. Nothing at all in the Detroit Free Press except basic news story of Lebda being signed, and nothing at all in the Detroit News. I don’t know if the Detroit SB blog is any good, or what it is called to check what Wings fans are saying there.
google Abel to Yzerman
it’s a Detroit fan blog site. pretty much the only one too in “Hockeytown”
by Peter de Chatham on Jul 8, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Hockeytown USA. Hockeytown is Toronto. EASILY.
I’ve always liked the Wings even during the (Chuck) Norris divisional days and epic battles with them, but that marketing of Motown as Hockeytown is ridiculous.
Thanks for the info about their fan blog site. Will check it out.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Oops. Clarification.
Detroit is Hockeytown USA. Toronto is Hockeytown- period.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I noted that two posts above re the ‘marketing’ of Detroit as Hockeytown. That said, Michigan is an excellent hockey state especially at the NCAA level.
Detroit? Well, the Tigers, Lions and Pistons are arguably bigger to the vast majority of people in and around Motown.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
don't understand it
but at that price for two years it’s hard for me to be outraged.
I can’t understand the rationale of a depth Dman signing unless it’s a precursor to some sort of defenseman being traded.
we’re all assuming it’s Kaberle, but Burke has surprised us before. Still, if there’s NO trade? Pretty hard to understand this move
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
Hey look
iwocpo took time out of his busy conspiracy searching time to make an actual negative comment about a (former) DET player. Did someone take over his account?
I am the commenter formerly known as Belligerent Burkie
Follow me on twitter @CoolJ90 or add me to XBox Live - CoolJ90
Detroit fans never liked Brett Lebda.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Almost total respect for Wings fans so that is an ‘uh oh’. Not good.
But I like him and I think I will like him a lot more when I see him play for us this year. Unless like many of our players last year he comes to Toronto and inexplicably plays like crap.
Beauchemin, Komisarek, Stempniak, Gustavssson (although he gets a mulligan with the heart surgeries and adjustment from the SEL to the NHL) were disappointments. Phaneuf and Sjostrom were not. Anyway.
by Pyramid Power on Jul 8, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
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