Leafs ink Jason Blake to five-year deal

Habsfan84 · 07-01-2007, 08:35 PM

Looking to add some speed and grit, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed winger Jason Blake to a 5-year deal worth $20 million.
The Minnesota native appeared in all 82 games last season with the New York Islanders, setting career highs in goals (40) and points (69).
Blake was signed by the Los Angeles Kings as an undrafted free agent in 1999 after playing college hockey with the University of North Dakota. He was named the WCHA player of the year in 1998-99 and was twice as a Hobey Baker Award finalist.
After three seasons with the Kings, he was traded to the Islanders for a fifth round pick in the 2002 entry draft.
Blake's career flourished in New York where his speed and forechecking ability made him a valuable penalty-killer for the Islanders, he shared the league lead with four shorthanded assists in his first full season on the Island. The 33-year-old posted back-to-back 20-goal seasons with the Islanders in 2002-03 (25) and 2003-04 (22) seasons. In 2003-04, he tied for fourth in the league with four shorthanded markers.

The speedster has appeared in 508 regular-season games over his nine-year NHL career, recording 134 goals and 286 points, while collecting 304 penalty minutes.
More to follow.

GLG · 07-02-2007, 08:36 AM

A bit too long, if you ask me. Hopefully he's used as trade bait in a few years.

Habsfan84 · 01-11-2008, 03:43 PM

Hes done nothing for you this season and we are already half way through the season.

07-01-2007, 08:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Habsfan84 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3,582	Leafs ink Jason Blake to five-year deal Looking to add some speed and grit, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed winger Jason Blake to a 5-year deal worth $20 million. The Minnesota native appeared in all 82 games last season with the New York Islanders, setting career highs in goals (40) and points (69). Blake was signed by the Los Angeles Kings as an undrafted free agent in 1999 after playing college hockey with the University of North Dakota. He was named the WCHA player of the year in 1998-99 and was twice as a Hobey Baker Award finalist. After three seasons with the Kings, he was traded to the Islanders for a fifth round pick in the 2002 entry draft. Blake's career flourished in New York where his speed and forechecking ability made him a valuable penalty-killer for the Islanders, he shared the league lead with four shorthanded assists in his first full season on the Island. The 33-year-old posted back-to-back 20-goal seasons with the Islanders in 2002-03 (25) and 2003-04 (22) seasons. In 2003-04, he tied for fourth in the league with four shorthanded markers. The speedster has appeared in 508 regular-season games over his nine-year NHL career, recording 134 goals and 286 points, while collecting 304 penalty minutes. More to follow.

07-02-2007, 08:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
GLG Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 179	A bit too long, if you ask me. Hopefully he's used as trade bait in a few years. __________________ FloydianLeaf / Leaf_Fan_4_Ever 1969 - 2007 R.I.P. Michael. Shine on, you crazy diamond.

01-11-2008, 03:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Habsfan84 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 3,582	Hes done nothing for you this season and we are already half way through the season. __________________ FanHome Members Remember to Keep Posting on FanHome [where fans connect]. Guests Please RegisterFor Access to a Great Forum