Leafs Re-Sign Clarke MacArthur

[enforcer55]

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has signed forward Clarke MacArthur to a two-year contract.

MacArthur, 26, set career highs this past season in games played (82), goals (21), assists (41), points (62) and powerplay goals (6). The 6-0, 191-pound winger ranked first on the Leafs in assists, second in points and tied for third in powerplay goals. As well, he became the first player in franchise history to score at least one goal in each of his first four games with the team (1917 to present).

The native of Lloydminster, Alberta has played in 290 career NHL games with Toronto, Atlanta and Buffalo registering 65 goals and 85 assists for 150 points along with 166 minutes in penalties. He originally signed with the Leafs as an unrestricted free agent on August 27, 2010.

[bengino]

RealKyper Nick Kypreos
#NHL signing. #Leafs lock up Clarke Mac Arthur. A 2 year deal believed to be worth 6.5M.

how is he go up to 3+ per?? after one career year in which he was a top guy because frankly Toronto has nobody else then Kessel.

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by bengino

how is he go up to 3+ per?? after one career year in which he was a top guy because frankly Toronto has nobody else then Kessel.

Ville Leino

He would have gotten more at arbitration. The cap hit is a little higher than I would have liked (not by much), but I love that it's only 2 years. If he sucks, no big deal.

[Cat Smasher]

Really good deal considering the arbitrator would have awarded him more than that based on all the over paying going on.

[grits207]

Originally Posted by bengino

R
how is he go up to 3+ per?? after one career year in which he was a top guy because frankly Toronto has nobody else then Kessel.

Kinda funny that a team that "has nobody else but Kessel" still managed to have 4 forwards, including MacArthur, put up more points than anybody on your Habs.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Burke was going to have to WAY OVERPAY if this thing went to arbitration, so he saved himself a headache and some money there.

I kind of wonder what Grabovski and Kulemin are thinking? MacArthur had 4 and 5 points more than both, but only scored 21 goals. Grabo potted 29, with Kulemin netting 30. Mac is close to Grabovski's 2.9 mill salary, but he's getting a million more than Kulemin.

While that doesn't exactly seem right, I'm glad he's back. There's no question that Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur was our most reliable line last year. Because of the chemistry they all had together, I'm more inclined to think this isn't a one year wonder thing, and that MacArthur (and Kule and Grabo) will return to form next year.

Here's hoping.

[Fireball_IV]

How about some toughness now? I'm really dissapointed that we didn't sign Konopka.
This team has 0 balls beyond the 4th line and some of the D

[I_am_Belak_2]

Well I'm glad he re-signed for cheap(considering other contracts being handed out. *ahem* Kopecky, Connolly, Leino *ahem*).

Now hopefully the line of Kulemin-Grabo-MacArthur can remain dominant. Plus we got a 1st line of Kadri/Lupul-Connolly-Kessel.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Originally Posted by Fireball_IV

How about some toughness now? I'm really dissapointed that we didn't sign Konopka.
This team has 0 balls beyond the 4th line and some of the D

Towards the end of the year (injuries?) last year Mike Brown was playing on the 3rd line at times. I liked what I saw. He's got underrated speed and is able get in quick and forecheck with a bang.

We need more of that. Brown doesn't get enough minutes on the 4th line, and doesn't really get a chance to forecheck hard on the penalty kill. I think a 3rd line of Lombardi or Kadri centering Brown and Armstrong would be effective. Kadri and Lombardi (moreso Kadri and I would prefer him) have the ability to hang on to the puck for an extra second while Brown and Armstrong go hard to the net. There's potential for a lot of dirty goals.

Getting Mike Brown off the 4th line also opens up a spot for Jay Rosehill. An Orr - Rosehill Sheriff - Deputy situation is the only way the Leafs can be taken seriously with the hands. Here's ultimately what I would like to see,

Lupul...........Connolly............Kessel
MacArthur.....Grabovski..........Kulemin
Brown..........Kadri.................Armstrong
Orr..............Bozak................Rosehill

1st line is soft.
Nobody pushed our second line around last year.
Keep your head up
Let's fight.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by BROKEN*ORBITAL

Lupul...........Connolly............Kessel
MacArthur.....Grabovski..........Kulemin
Brown..........Kadri.................Armstrong
Orr..............Bozak................Rosehill

1st line is soft.
Nobody pushed our second line around last year.
Keep your head up
Let's fight.

Lupul can do alright for himself if the need arises.

I suppose Bozak is going to have some fun lol

[Fireball_IV]

Originally Posted by BROKEN*ORBITAL

Towards the end of the year (injuries?) last year Mike Brown was playing on the 3rd line at times. I liked what I saw. He's got underrated speed and is able get in quick and forecheck with a bang.

We need more of that. Brown doesn't get enough minutes on the 4th line, and doesn't really get a chance to forecheck hard on the penalty kill. I think a 3rd line of Lombardi or Kadri centering Brown and Armstrong would be effective. Kadri and Lombardi (moreso Kadri and I would prefer him) have the ability to hang on to the puck for an extra second while Brown and Armstrong go hard to the net. There's potential for a lot of dirty goals.

Getting Mike Brown off the 4th line also opens up a spot for Jay Rosehill. An Orr - Rosehill Sheriff - Deputy situation is the only way the Leafs can be taken seriously with the hands. Here's ultimately what I would like to see,

Lupul...........Connolly............Kessel
MacArthur.....Grabovski..........Kulemin
Brown..........Kadri.................Armstrong
Orr..............Bozak................Rosehill

1st line is soft.
Nobody pushed our second line around last year.
Keep your head up
Let's fight.

Now that's what I'm talking about.

[skacore]

Nice to see Mac re-signed. I knew his price tag was going to be up there, but it could have been a lot worse had he hit arbitration.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by grits207

Kinda funny that a team that "has nobody else but Kessel" still managed to have 4 forwards, including MacArthur, put up more points than anybody on your Habs.

wow, that is your comeback??

Just because people put up points doesn't mean diddly... Habs management has shown time and again that they like the lazy players, as well will put up with long and endless funks... Also, just as an FYI, both of the teams ended with the same amounts of goals for, which ranked them both in the lower half of the league.

Also a quick side note, i've said once and i'll say it again... i'm of the very unpopular opinion that I would be happy with my team tanking for 2 to 3 years so that they could build through the draft (i've said it before the playoffs started)