Kinda disappointed that the long term look of this team is no better than this year. Reimer (who I like) isn't it time to move on to Sparks and Bibeau. Three veteran UFA Dmen signings. Wouldn't mind Polak back, but shouldn't Valiev, Percy, Harrington, Loov, maybe Zailov be be given a chance. At forward...no Froese,Marner, Leivo, Soskichan, Johnson, Hyman, maybe Brown, Lepesic.

All the veteran signings are short term so the young guns can season more in the AHL. Few young guys made this team, Nylander and Hyman. They are trying the Red Wing way after all. I imagine a few youngsters will get a spot call up. I figure they'd either trade Bernier, but his cap hit it hard to move, or keep him as a backup again.

For a team that wants to build thru the draft and develop their players, there shouldn't be a drastic difference from previous year. I didn't do any splashy FA signings, only veteran players to further show youngsters "How to be a Pro".

I'm not sure they are NHLer, but Harrington, Percy, Loov, Zailov, Leivo, Soskichan, Johnson have been pros for 3 years and more. More seasoning not needed. Except for Eaves, the veteran signees are for 2 or 3 years, so how much longer to these younger guys stay in the minors?

Who is soskichan? and Zailov?

If they're not NHLers, then why do you want them on the team? You think non NHLers would do better than the roster above?

All I was really trying to show is TML doing it right and not signing every high priced FA. Sign some FA to fill some holes, but build thru the system. Let the young guns beat out a guy for a spot.

By signing these aging vets and being so close to the cap, you have effectively not allowed the young guns to beat a guy out. for a spot. The vets could be send to the minors, but much of their salary would count against the cap.
By signing Quincey for three years, any of the young D would be blocked by Quincey and his contract.

Sorry if I misspelled there names....Soskichan is the 22 year old winger, first in in North American with the Marlies. Zaikov is a 24 year old Russian playing in the KHL.

Agree to disagree then. You're not going to get FAs to come to TOR on 1yr deals unless they're garbage, then why sign them. If all these young guns aren't NHLers, as you said, then why are you worried about making room for them. Nylander, Hyman are up, Marner won't be far behind. The 2-3 year deals for veterans will fill the gap for Shanny/Lou/Babs to draft and develop their own prospects. Right now they are full of the past regimes picks. If you want to throw your prospects into NHL early to play, that's you're choice, but you don't develop players in the NHL, you season them in the AHL and as you said, they aren't NHLers so why give them a roster spot. Keep them for injury insurance.

Look who the Leafs signed this year Matthius, Parenteau Boyes ...one year. Hunwick...two years....Spaling traded...one year. Maracin traded one year. So there is room for players on one year contract which aren't garbage necessarily.

You wrote, "you're not going to get FAs to come to TOR on 1 yr deals unless they're garbage then why sign them." If true, why did you sign Vrbata for one year at 4m? Seemed like you proved me point, I would rather sign UFA cheaply if necessary or bring up some AHLers who may or may not be ready.