Peca
To recap, neither Pronger ("it would be intriguing" to play in Toronto) nor Roenick ("Toronto is the hockey mecca") ended up in a Leafs jersey.
The latest NHL player to publicly announce his desire to play for Toronto is Mike Peca:
"It'd be a dream come true," Peca said. "At the same time, I realize the importance of putting on that jersey and the privilege of it.
"It would be a case where you'd pinch yourself."
This sounds all well and good, but too many players say they want to play in Toronto and then end up smiling for the camera in some other uniform.
If the rumour of negotiations going on between Peca and Toronto is true, it would be excellent news for Leaf fans.
Peca is a proven playoff performer, having gone to the Cup final twice. He's a centre who had a 55% faceoff win percentage last year, which fills a big hole on the Leafs behind Mats Sundin. Yes, Stajan, Steen, and Pohl are listed as centres, but I'd be taking Peca as my guy on the draw with twenty seconds to go in a tight game. Peca has grit, heart, and is a clubhouse leader. And if he comes cheap, he'd fit the rapidly-shrinking cap space of the Leafs.
If I'm John Muckler, I'm making a pitch for Peca in a big way. He implied a need for depth at centre at the trade deadline this past March when he acquired Tyler Arnason; Peca would slot in perfectly as the number-two pivot behind Spezza.
Leaf fans should be hoping Muckler doesn't wake up to that fact.
The latest NHL player to publicly announce his desire to play for Toronto is Mike Peca:
"It'd be a dream come true," Peca said. "At the same time, I realize the importance of putting on that jersey and the privilege of it.
"It would be a case where you'd pinch yourself."
This sounds all well and good, but too many players say they want to play in Toronto and then end up smiling for the camera in some other uniform.
If the rumour of negotiations going on between Peca and Toronto is true, it would be excellent news for Leaf fans.
Peca is a proven playoff performer, having gone to the Cup final twice. He's a centre who had a 55% faceoff win percentage last year, which fills a big hole on the Leafs behind Mats Sundin. Yes, Stajan, Steen, and Pohl are listed as centres, but I'd be taking Peca as my guy on the draw with twenty seconds to go in a tight game. Peca has grit, heart, and is a clubhouse leader. And if he comes cheap, he'd fit the rapidly-shrinking cap space of the Leafs.
If I'm John Muckler, I'm making a pitch for Peca in a big way. He implied a need for depth at centre at the trade deadline this past March when he acquired Tyler Arnason; Peca would slot in perfectly as the number-two pivot behind Spezza.
Leaf fans should be hoping Muckler doesn't wake up to that fact.
posted by Wardo at 6:58 AM
6 Comments:
Carter would be a better fit, and Carter could wing it for Wellwood. Peca was a bust last year, he simply couldn't get his mind into the game.
Peca will sign with someone, but hopefully not the Leafs. Until he can find the desire to play, he's a poster boy for Coach Room chats following the game.
Get Carter, now that has a ring to it.
It's great to be right all the time.
Carter has moved around too much. I don't know, I have a bad feeling about him. Why did Gretzky leave him off the Olympic roster in 2002? He wasn't even invited. I've read rumours that he's a careless player, and poor clubhouse influence.
Give me Peca.
Nah, Peca will need another year to see if has any game left in him. The risk for signing him is too much, he will be available again, you can take that to the bank. The Leafs can't afford to gamble on a head case.
Carter had a great year last year, all things considered. He would be a great additon and he being overlooked for the Olympic team is a non-issue. The 02 team was too good to make room for this guy.
If Gretz can overlook Spezza, Crosby, and Staal, it's fairly easy to by pass Carter.
If JFK signs Peca, he's as dumb as most armchair GM's.
Where is it written that Peca is a headcase?
Saying Carter would be a "great addition" is meaningless without a supporting argument.
Risk:
Peca is a multi-year Selke winner who's been to the Cup finals twice. He's been a leader on every team he's ever played on.
Peca publicly announced that he's willing to take a discount to play in Toronto.
And - way to predict the future, Nostradamus. Of course he'll "be available again" - those are his reported intentions:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1152654613979
He wants to play his ass off with a one-year contract to justify a big payday next year, when the Leafs won't be able to afford him. But he can be had now. Peca is in the same situation now that Carter was last year.
Finally, the Leafs need a centre more than they need a winger. Peca's combination of defensive abilities and faceoff work would make him an excellent fit behind Sundin on the team.
So - here's a player with a proven track record of tangible and intangibles, willing to take a discount to play for his hometown, in a position Toronto needs to fill, and he's hungry to redeem himself for a big contract next year. Where's the risk?
On the other hand, Carter is looking for a "sizeable raise" over the one million he made last year,
(http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/van060630.html)
in a multi-year deal, and from the Leafs' perspective, that represents more risk, what with so many players already signed to long-term deals. Yes, he had a good season, but if he's going to cost the Leafs too much, and doesn't represent a position of the highest priority, why target him?
There's a case to be made for either (Peca has 394 career points, Carter 393 - interesting), but I still stand by Peca as the better option, given the above considerations.
Signing Peca is a dumb decision only if it breaks the bank.
To help put things into perspective for you, look at the performance for hire contracts.
Compare the signings of Peca and Neil. Fairly easy to see who got fair value on this one.
Peca's history has nothing to do with what type of player he is today. He's a bum and should be left on the west coast.
For example: Hall of Famer, Vezina trophy winner, Stanley Cup winner, blah, blah, blah, blah, Eddie "The Eagle" Belfour was signed by Toronto for over $6 million dollars on a multi year contract with a buy out in excess of $1.5 million. Now to be clear, that's 6 zero's after the first digit, with two comma's inserted. He was signed in typical fashion the way Peca was. Millions for history, today Eddie is very lucky to get signed for $750k.
You may see a trend here in Toronto. But it happens all over, Vancouver did it with Mess, to the tune of $22 mil.
Peca is a tool, and his best days are a decade old.
Next time use some insight to illustrate the methodology when GM's sign aged players. This isn't the place to be a rookie, there are too many of us who actually know the game.
Get back to school kid!
Anonymous, "next time" I'll do whatever I feel like.
And, thanks for pointing out Belfour's ridiculous contract with the Leafs - I'm glad you agree with me, I've only pointed it out three other times on this blog. Unfortunately, that and Mark Messier have nothing to do with Peca. A below-market one-year contract in no way compares to the Belfour or Messier deals.
Nice try! Now, go back to grampa's cough medicine.
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