Leafs looking into contracts

GLG · February 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM

There are at least three Leafs in contract talks right now.

Tucker
Poni
Antropov

The way Antropov's played lately, not many would want to let him walk now. But his problem has ALWAYS been health. He's played 60 or more games in a season a grand total of three years.

Three years in Seven, Nik has actually been able to play 60+ games.

There's no question that if he could stay healthy, he could get $3M+ deal from almost anybody. Given his health, I'd say he's worth $1M to $1.5M / year, and to sweeten the deal, you could offer bonuses if he gets past 60 games in a year. That would be fair for him, IMO.

Poni is a must-sign. He doesn't have the skills of a healthy Antropov, but Poni doesn't spend near as much time on the IR as Nik does. He's young and improving, and should get $1.5M to $2M a year. In his case, it could be a contract that increases in value over the life of it, given his youth, but I'd prefer a deal with incentives for the increases. Make him work for his dollars. We'll get a better player, and we won't mind coughing up the cash as a result.

Tucker is one we must at least try to sign. His agent is looking for four years, a "No Movement Clause" and appears to be hinting at big bucks. That could just be hyperbole. He could just be trying to play the media against JFJ, to try to get his client a better deal.

Tucker is well-loved around here, and does appear to want to stay. That's our best card. If he wants to stay here, then we may not have to go as high as his agent, Sosa, suggests.

Regardless, he's a fearless warrior that no other team wants to play against. Many Leaf fans will remember all the discussions rival fans have had regarding Tucker. They all hate him. I think part of the reason is how fearlessly and effectively Tucker plays against them. I, for one, would not want to face Tucker in the playoffs. He's a keeper, IMO.

But four years with a NMC??? Perhaps a bit much.

Four years, OK, but not with a NMC for the entire time. Perhaps a NMC or a No Trade Clause for the first two years, but not all four.

On another forum, a Leaf fan suggested a front-loaded salary, which I also agree with. Pay him the most the first year, and going down a little each year for the term. That makes him more attractive as a tradeable asset four years from now, should we feel the need to.

As for his salary, he should be around the $3M to $4M mark. If he gets around the $4M mark, it should be only for the first year, then decrease slowly toward the $3M mark by the end of the deal. Tucker plays with a lot of emotion, and a chip on his shoulder. We need that. But that's a risky style of play that means he can be injured anytime. Knock on wood, we've done well with his injuries thus far, but the risk can't be underestimated. Hence the need for us to be able to find a way out of the deal in a couple years, just in case.

If it comes down to "four years, NMC or bust," then IMO, get him for a bargain. If he simply MUST have four years with a NMC or NTC, then say "yes" with $2M to $2.5M salary. I know it's less than he might get elsewhere as a FA, but I doubt anybody would give him a NMC for four years at more than that.

Because he doesn't deserve it, IMO.

Thoughts??

GLG · February 13th, 2007, 10:17 PM

Tucker apparently turned down four years at just below $3M / year. So says his agent.

Maybe it's just his agent saying, "hold tight. I'll get you more."

He's been offered enough, IMO. If he doesn't take it, sorry Tucks, but goodbye. Trade him for some good high picks.

February 10th, 2007, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
GLG Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 180	Leafs looking into contracts There are at least three Leafs in contract talks right now. Tucker Poni Antropov The way Antropov's played lately, not many would want to let him walk now. But his problem has ALWAYS been health. He's played 60 or more games in a season a grand total of three years. Three years in Seven, Nik has actually been able to play 60+ games. There's no question that if he could stay healthy, he could get $3M+ deal from almost anybody. Given his health, I'd say he's worth $1M to $1.5M / year, and to sweeten the deal, you could offer bonuses if he gets past 60 games in a year. That would be fair for him, IMO. Poni is a must-sign. He doesn't have the skills of a healthy Antropov, but Poni doesn't spend near as much time on the IR as Nik does. He's young and improving, and should get $1.5M to $2M a year. In his case, it could be a contract that increases in value over the life of it, given his youth, but I'd prefer a deal with incentives for the increases. Make him work for his dollars. We'll get a better player, and we won't mind coughing up the cash as a result. Tucker is one we must at least try to sign. His agent is looking for four years, a "No Movement Clause" and appears to be hinting at big bucks. That could just be hyperbole. He could just be trying to play the media against JFJ, to try to get his client a better deal. Tucker is well-loved around here, and does appear to want to stay. That's our best card. If he wants to stay here, then we may not have to go as high as his agent, Sosa, suggests. Regardless, he's a fearless warrior that no other team wants to play against. Many Leaf fans will remember all the discussions rival fans have had regarding Tucker. They all hate him. I think part of the reason is how fearlessly and effectively Tucker plays against them. I, for one, would not want to face Tucker in the playoffs. He's a keeper, IMO. But four years with a NMC??? Perhaps a bit much. Four years, OK, but not with a NMC for the entire time. Perhaps a NMC or a No Trade Clause for the first two years, but not all four. On another forum, a Leaf fan suggested a front-loaded salary, which I also agree with. Pay him the most the first year, and going down a little each year for the term. That makes him more attractive as a tradeable asset four years from now, should we feel the need to. As for his salary, he should be around the $3M to $4M mark. If he gets around the $4M mark, it should be only for the first year, then decrease slowly toward the $3M mark by the end of the deal. Tucker plays with a lot of emotion, and a chip on his shoulder. We need that. But that's a risky style of play that means he can be injured anytime. Knock on wood, we've done well with his injuries thus far, but the risk can't be underestimated. Hence the need for us to be able to find a way out of the deal in a couple years, just in case. If it comes down to "four years, NMC or bust," then IMO, get him for a bargain. If he simply MUST have four years with a NMC or NTC, then say "yes" with $2M to $2.5M salary. I know it's less than he might get elsewhere as a FA, but I doubt anybody would give him a NMC for four years at more than that. Because he doesn't deserve it, IMO. Thoughts?? __________________ FloydianLeaf / Leaf_Fan_4_Ever 1969 - 2007 R.I.P. Michael. Shine on, you crazy diamond.

February 13th, 2007, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLG Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 180	Tucker apparently turned down four years at just below $3M / year. So says his agent. Maybe it's just his agent saying, "hold tight. I'll get you more." He's been offered enough, IMO. If he doesn't take it, sorry Tucks, but goodbye. Trade him for some good high picks. __________________ FloydianLeaf / Leaf_Fan_4_Ever 1969 - 2007 R.I.P. Michael. Shine on, you crazy diamond.