WhatIfGodWasALeaf
Active member
Details to come.
Polak Signs 1 Year Deal
- Thread starter WhatIfGodWasALeaf
- Start date
Ummm?
L K
Active member
Ummmm. I guess Corrado is going to sit in the press box all year again? It's a 1-year deal so no long-term harm but I really don't think the Leafs lost anything on defense after they traded him. I mean I guess he's a good asset to pay off the 3rd round picks to Detroit/New Jersey.
We already have Rielly, Marincin, Gardiner, Zaitsev, Corrado, Carrick and Hunwick so there is a bit of a logjam, particularly of guys who would benefit from NHL development.
We already have Rielly, Marincin, Gardiner, Zaitsev, Corrado, Carrick and Hunwick so there is a bit of a logjam, particularly of guys who would benefit from NHL development.
Britishbulldog
Active member
L K said:
I agree. I don't think he is really needed but oh well. Neither Corrado or Carrick or waiver exempt anymore.
Boston Leaf
New member
Polak gives his all.. Leaves it out on the ice.... Picked up some playoff experience and will be more than likely flipped at deadline. Im good with this
herman
Well-known member
Lou seems very very keen to build a wall in front of the prospects on the cusp, ostensibly to see who can actually bust through.
There is still a chance that our mid-tier youth exceed the on-ice value of Polak, Laich, Michalek, Greening and force Management's hand. Those guys are way easier to pass through waivers than Corrado, Carrick, Leivo, Holland, etc.
There is still a chance that our mid-tier youth exceed the on-ice value of Polak, Laich, Michalek, Greening and force Management's hand. Those guys are way easier to pass through waivers than Corrado, Carrick, Leivo, Holland, etc.
This makes me think that Hunwick-Rielly being a thing again is more likely, so I'm guessing our blueline looks something like this right now:
Hunwick-Rielly
Gardiner-Polak
Marincin-Zaitsev
Carrick-Corrado
Hunwick-Rielly
Gardiner-Polak
Marincin-Zaitsev
Carrick-Corrado
mr grieves
New member
CarltonTheBear said:
Meh if it makes it easier to rotate youngsters in and out of the line-up as they break into the NHL, but...
Doesn't this make it pretty likely they'll lose one of Carrick or Corrado? Aren't both potential top-4 guys?
Are the Leafs so well stocked at D that they can afford losing potential top-4 contributors to play guys who might not be bottom pairing on a good team..?
Michael said:
To me this signing basically says that Babcock isn't crazy about having to rely on Zaitsev/Carrick/Corrado so much, so I'm pretty sure Polak will at least start the season playing ahead of them.
Misty
New member
I keep thinking about how Babcock has constantly stressed a few things, echoed by Shannahan and Lou as well:
- needing a core of highly professional veteran players to set an example for the kids in terms of how to be what Babcock refers to as "a man"...the work ethic, dedication, etc., both on and perhaps even more importantly off the ice...Polak is a prime example of that kind of player
- needing there to be stiff competition for spots...the kids shouldn't just be handed roster spots...they need to take them away from veteran players...if a kid can do that, they'll find a way to make room for them even if it means burying a pro contract in the minors
- the Detroit model where their rookies routinely seem to be made to almost overripen in the farm system before they get their break, and when it comes it's in the form of protected minutes on lower lines or defense pairings for the first year or two until they essentially force themselves higher up the line-up
There's a real need to erase that "entitlement" attitude in the Leafs and being a bit over-stocked at all positions means you really have to bust your butt just to get a spot, and then keep busting it to keep it because there's so much competition for the job.
The Polak and Martin signings do add some grit and toughness to the lineup, but I suspect the most appealing thing about them is their work ethic and the kind of example they'll set for the kids, not that they'll "protect" the kids from any rough stuff. I don't know that Lupul or Bozak or Kadri would be poster-children for that kind of example in the way that Laich or Polak (and by reputation also Martin) are.
- needing a core of highly professional veteran players to set an example for the kids in terms of how to be what Babcock refers to as "a man"...the work ethic, dedication, etc., both on and perhaps even more importantly off the ice...Polak is a prime example of that kind of player
- needing there to be stiff competition for spots...the kids shouldn't just be handed roster spots...they need to take them away from veteran players...if a kid can do that, they'll find a way to make room for them even if it means burying a pro contract in the minors
- the Detroit model where their rookies routinely seem to be made to almost overripen in the farm system before they get their break, and when it comes it's in the form of protected minutes on lower lines or defense pairings for the first year or two until they essentially force themselves higher up the line-up
There's a real need to erase that "entitlement" attitude in the Leafs and being a bit over-stocked at all positions means you really have to bust your butt just to get a spot, and then keep busting it to keep it because there's so much competition for the job.
The Polak and Martin signings do add some grit and toughness to the lineup, but I suspect the most appealing thing about them is their work ethic and the kind of example they'll set for the kids, not that they'll "protect" the kids from any rough stuff. I don't know that Lupul or Bozak or Kadri would be poster-children for that kind of example in the way that Laich or Polak (and by reputation also Martin) are.