Afinogenov, Potential Blue and White Candidate??
Posted 2:21 PM ET | Comments 9
I believe that Afinogenov would be a great pick up on free agency for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Give him a chance to bring in a veteran presence for the young top 6 forwards, since he is now in his Early 30s.
He may have had a great season last year, but that could've been a fluke if you look at his stats the previous two seasons, where he didn't even mass a total combined 20 goals.
Therefore, you could probably sign him for 2-3 mill per season, for 2-3 years. Last year, he turned things around in Atlanta and his numbers wont be like his last two seasons in Buffalo, barring potentially getting injured. In addition, if he improves on his numbers from last year, that would be great production from a player for 2-3 million per season, he would also be a Top 6 forward in Toronto regardless.
Having played in Buffalo, he has seen how great leaf fans support their team. Some nights the leaf fans would outcheer the sabres fans in Buffalo most likely.
Even if Burke would just sign him to a one year deal it would help that first round pick sent to Boston in the Kessel Trade. Than Toronto could see if he could fit in and give the top 6 some experience, and it would help them in the short term, or even long term if he fully commits to Toronto, although doubtful.
If he ends up not being everything I believe he can be, well with the one year deal we can just let him go at Free Agency, and use the cap money elsewhere.
If we do end up getting him on the 2-3 year deal, and he doesn't work out than I'm sure we could find other teams that would be interested, assuming he doesn't plummet like Cheechoo did in Ottawa.
This is all just an idea, there is no sources out there saying that Burke is pursuing this player. I don't believe Burke would go for this, because Afinogenov is not a Burke style player, although this could be a good fit for Afinogenov, depending if he wants to and could handle the pressure of playing in Toronto. Your Thoughts?????
He may have had a great season last year, but that could've been a fluke if you look at his stats the previous two seasons, where he didn't even mass a total combined 20 goals.
Therefore, you could probably sign him for 2-3 mill per season, for 2-3 years. Last year, he turned things around in Atlanta and his numbers wont be like his last two seasons in Buffalo, barring potentially getting injured. In addition, if he improves on his numbers from last year, that would be great production from a player for 2-3 million per season, he would also be a Top 6 forward in Toronto regardless.
Having played in Buffalo, he has seen how great leaf fans support their team. Some nights the leaf fans would outcheer the sabres fans in Buffalo most likely.
Even if Burke would just sign him to a one year deal it would help that first round pick sent to Boston in the Kessel Trade. Than Toronto could see if he could fit in and give the top 6 some experience, and it would help them in the short term, or even long term if he fully commits to Toronto, although doubtful.
If he ends up not being everything I believe he can be, well with the one year deal we can just let him go at Free Agency, and use the cap money elsewhere.
If we do end up getting him on the 2-3 year deal, and he doesn't work out than I'm sure we could find other teams that would be interested, assuming he doesn't plummet like Cheechoo did in Ottawa.
This is all just an idea, there is no sources out there saying that Burke is pursuing this player. I don't believe Burke would go for this, because Afinogenov is not a Burke style player, although this could be a good fit for Afinogenov, depending if he wants to and could handle the pressure of playing in Toronto. Your Thoughts?????
Sorry dude but the Leafs want a grittier player that can play on 3rd or fourth line and he doesn't cut it as a top 6.The Leafs are dreaming they'll get something for a couple of dmen and the only asset that I see they can get back is 29 something type of player like Malone on TBay.
You really think all we could get with Kaberle or Schenn is Ryan Malone, Kaberle maybe but Schenn is worth way more than just Malone.
The leafs want a top 6 forward. Kaberle could fetch them that, but thats it. No additional picks or prospects would come our way. We need a top 3 forward actually.
"Some nights the leaf fans would outcheer the sabres fans in Buffalo most likely" That's because Leaf fans are a bunch of tools and they were happy because they knew that the next morning they were going to trash the parking lot of the Prime Outlet Mall with their old shoes and clothes. Bunch of D*ldo-lickers.
F U Chattel
Chattel Stu Gatz
See? D*ldo-lickers.
Puck-off, you would have to be really stupid if you believe the leafs need more third and fourth line grit type of players, because that is what most of their roster is as of now they need finesse players that can score, and Afinogenov was $800,000 salary last year and scored 24 goals, so that commands a raise, but a small one at that due to his inconsistency in the past.
give him a one year deal.... last time i checked kessel isnt gonna score 200 goals, he needs help.