Leafs Offseason Thread
- Thread starter Metalleaf
- Start date
UWHabs
Well-known member
Holtby asked for 8, and Washington's offer was in the 4-5 range. Everyone asks for insanely ludicrous amounts, because the arbitrator can pick a number in the middle anyways. Based on that, I wouldn't be shocked to see them agree to a 1/4 deal before the hearing.
LeafGm
Well-known member
Based on NHL history when it comes to arbitration hearings, the two sides picking a number in the middle and settling is certainly the most likely outcome.
I sort of feel like the Leafs are ready to go to the wall here though. Both to preserve as much of their $12.8M in remaining cap space as possible for in-season deals, and because they've got a pretty good case against Bernier. He's coming off a horrible season and in two years in Toronto, he still hasn't been able to prove himself as a legitimate starting goaltender at the NHL level.
Even if he does have a strong season this year, with him slated to be a UFA on July 1st, 2016, do you hand him a fat long-term extension for UFA dollars on the basis of one season when you're a team at the very beginning of a rebuild? Or do you see if you can squeeze a big trade return from a team with playoff aspirations that's run into mid-season goalie problems? And getting back to the arbitration hearing: if you are thinking about dealing Bernier during this coming season, the lower you can keep his cap hit on a one-year deal, the more value he's going to have in a trade.
Volcanologist
Well-known member
Or it's them arriving at the sensible conclusion that no non-elite goalie is worth a big investment.
Jonathan Bernier is a good goalie but he's not a great goalie.
Jonathan Bernier is a good goalie but he's not a great goalie.
Pronger84
Active member
Finally we agree on something... while he's put up decent numbers' he is far from great and proven. A one year/4.5M deal is very reasonable IMO.
leafman101
Well-known member
You would think they would settle. It doesn't really matter if you pay him $2.9 million or $5.1 million this year. the win is forcing the one year deal.
Pronger84
Active member
Yep, the last thing management should be doing is going in long term with a guy who has proven **** all since coming here, one year deal or take a hike is my opinion on the guy.
Loving basically everything this management team touches. In this case, I am all for pushing Bernier to prove himself.
number17
Mod Squad
Reading more into it, this is actually a very interesting situation
- This is a team-elected arbitration. The Leafs filed for arbitration, not Bernier. This is the ONLY team filed arbitration this summer.
- The Leafs offered $2.89M, not only is less than the $3.4M he made last season (cap hit was $2.9M, but salary was $3.4M) but is also the lowest offer the Leafs could submit as per CBA rule. The Leafs have chosen to go with the lowest offer they couldgo in with
- If this does go to arbitration, which is this Fri, the arbitrator will only award a 1 year deal. Meaning Bernier will become a UFA next summer
- Leafs cannot walk away from this arbitration, because this is a team elected arbitration
- Leafs have claimed they don't feel Holtby is a comparable to Bernier because of his performance last season. They feel, in fact, the closest comparison to Bernier is Reimer ($2.3M). And that is actually true in terms of age, experience, career SV%, career W
All taht said, the Leafs are making a strong statement that, at the very least, they are questionable at best, on Bernier's status as their future 1G.
- This is a team-elected arbitration. The Leafs filed for arbitration, not Bernier. This is the ONLY team filed arbitration this summer.
- The Leafs offered $2.89M, not only is less than the $3.4M he made last season (cap hit was $2.9M, but salary was $3.4M) but is also the lowest offer the Leafs could submit as per CBA rule. The Leafs have chosen to go with the lowest offer they couldgo in with
- If this does go to arbitration, which is this Fri, the arbitrator will only award a 1 year deal. Meaning Bernier will become a UFA next summer
- Leafs cannot walk away from this arbitration, because this is a team elected arbitration
- Leafs have claimed they don't feel Holtby is a comparable to Bernier because of his performance last season. They feel, in fact, the closest comparison to Bernier is Reimer ($2.3M). And that is actually true in terms of age, experience, career SV%, career W
All taht said, the Leafs are making a strong statement that, at the very least, they are questionable at best, on Bernier's status as their future 1G.
blacksheep
New member
I think they are sending a bigger picture here: if you want to be a Toronto Maple Leaf, and want to get paid well, you'd have to show your worth. The team will not give you a deal out of desperation or lack of alternatives.
So Berner's hearing lasted 5 hours. What do these guys talk about for that long?
Ps Lou and Dubas were Leafs' reps
Ps Lou and Dubas were Leafs' reps
JackBurton
Well-known member
They explained to Bernier who Nelson Mandela was.
blacksheep
New member
Heh