Leafs Not Done: Sign Hagman
One signing early in the morning, one signing mid-day and now one around dinner time, all that’s left is one late at night but we’ll have to wait to see if that’ll happen.
The first two signing were marginal at best. Curtis Joseph wasn’t brought in to be a starter. I consider it a good signing because Cujo is a good goalie and if given the chance will be able to mentor Justin Pogge, though for that to happen Toskala will have to be traded.
Listen to Pierre McGuire on TSN and all he can seem to do is laugh and the Jeff Finger signing. Finger’s a good defenseman but not worth 3.5 million.
The third signing is former Dallas Stars forward Niklas Hagman. Hagman had a career year last year in Dallas where he scored 27 goals.
Hagman’s greatest asset is his speed and determination with the puck. He’s like a poor mans Maxim Afinogenov; he can beat any defender with his speed but his questionable hands have him missing more chances than he finishes.
This year he was able to overcome past years troubles. Hagman has to be the only player in this free agency year to not cash in big from a big year. Not saying he didn’t cash in though; his 12 million dollar four year contract is nothing to scoff at.
Next year should be a big test for Hagman who should be given all the chances to beat his personal best from last year.
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on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 6:45 pm and is filed under Curtis Joseph, Jeff Finger, Cliff Fletcher, Toronto Maple Leafs, Niklas Hagman, Uncategorized.
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3 Responses to “Leafs Not Done: Sign Hagman”
July 1st, 2008 at 7:59 pm
as a Dallas Stars fan, I have to tell you that Hagman could turn out to be a diamond in the rough. His grit, speed and tenacity on the forecheck causes havoc on opposing offenses. He’s a stud on the PK and his team leading SHG and GWG make him an offensive threat. He failed to step up in the post season for the Stars, but if you had Modano, Lehtinen, Richards, Morrow, Ribiero and Eriksson in front of you, you might have a hard time finding rhythm and timing. Put him on the top 6 and there’s no telling what he’ll do. I am now a Leafs fan. I understand what it means to be a Leafs fan. I’ve read about the suffering and i hope the addition of Ron Wilson and the departure of Sundin means a new chapter. I know it’s about ownership and their commitment to putting a quality team on the ice. here’s to hoping they actually do it.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I agree with you. In Toronto Hagman should be able to get lots of time on the PP and on one of the top two lines. Last year was his breakout season but to me next year is his coming out party, if he’s successful. The only risk to this deal is the length but if Hagman turns into a 35 goal scorer two years from now, which I believe he may be capable of getting top ice time, than this signing will be a steal. If he regresses he just becomes a salary cap eater; though with the cap going up every year, and the Leafs position as a rebuilding team it may not affect them.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Hagman is a good signing, the fact that everyone in the media is not putting down this siging like everything else the leafs done is a good sign. He has the speed, and on a shallow T.O. roster will get a chance to show those skills. I believe he was also on the same team with Thornton and Nash during the lookout and put up some excellent numbers (not saying he is of that calbre, but still). Finger is a questionable signing. I wanted the Leafs to get him or Hainsey, but the price is too steep. He can be a solid stay-at-home guy though, and thats something Toronto has been needing. Thought he would go for 2-2.5 mill. Cujo is a great signing. People are upset cause he left the team for less money but he can be a solid back up, a great mentor, and an all around decent guy. 700k is a great price. Imagine Toskola getting hurt, Pogge is still too inexperienced to take the reigns, and Cujo would be much more reliable than Raycroft.
The best thing with these signings (excluding Cujo) is that they are entering their primes. Not exiting them as the signings of past.
Joseph - good siging
Finger -Good addition, but overpaid by a mill or more
Hagman- Good signing, could turn out to be a steal.
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