Leafs Sign Belak and Berg

[swhite]

John Ferguson, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Wednesday that the club has signed forward/defenceman Wade Belak to a two year contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. In addition, Ferguson also announced that defenceman Aki Berg has accepted his qualifying offer.

Belak, 29, played 20 games for Coventry of the British Elite Ice Hockey League last season collecting eight points (three goals, five assists) with 109 penalty minutes. In eight playoff games he had two points (one goal, one assist) with 16 penalty minutes. In 2003-04 with the Maple Leafs, he played 34 games collecting two points (one goal, one assist) with 109 penalty minutes. He finished fourth on the team in penalty minutes.

The native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has played 275 career NHL games for Colorado, Calgary and Toronto collecting 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) with 811 penalty minutes. In 22 career NHL playoff games he has scored one goal with 36 penalty minutes. He was originally Quebec's first choice, 12th overall in the 1994 Entry Draft.

Berg, 28, played 47 games for Timra of the Swedish Elite League last season collecting 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) with 46 penalty minutes. He finished second among team defencemen in goals, assists and points. He was pointless in seven playoff games. He also played five games for Finland at the 2004 World Cup collecting one assist with two penalty minutes. In 2003-04 with the Maple Leafs, he played 79 games collecting nine points (two goals, seven assists) with 40 penalty minutes. He finished fourth on the team in games played.

The native of Turku, Finland has played 531 career NHL games for Los Angeles and Toronto collecting 77 points (15 goals, 62 assists) with 318 penalty minutes. In 54 career NHL playoff games he has eight points (one goal, seven assists) with 47 penalty minutes. He was originally Los Angeles' first choice, third overall in the 1995 Entry Draft.

[Thrillhouse]

YESSSS and NOOOOO. F you Berg. Belak, you're awesome!

[swhite]

Im pretty sure Berg will be making $1,064,000.00...

[rock'emsock'em]

Originally Posted by swhite

Im pretty sure Berg will be making $1,064,000.00...

Oh for ****'s sakes...

[Duffx AVS-fan]

Haha how can they pay that for Berg...

[Odjick29]

Belak and Domi next year, should be good...

[Blouin]

Good for the Maple Leafs. Too much for Berg though.

[2,5,10GameMatch]

Berg is now the unofficial 'worlds most expensive pylon'. Call him the 'miracle man', its a friggin miracle that the stiff has lasted this long in the NHL.

[LeafsFanForever]

2, 5 and 10 that is hilarious....I was telling my buddy the same thing about Berg being the richest Pilon I have ever seen.

Aki Berg shouldnt even be in the NHL and the guy is making over $1 million. It is pathetic.

Can't wait to see Wade get a full season under his belt. If Quinn plays Perrott and not Belak I will personally head to the ACC was piss on its entrance doors.

[LeafsFanForever]

I meant to say I will personally head to the ACC and piss on its entrance.

[Odjick29]

Originally Posted by LeafsFanForever

2, 5 and 10 that is hilarious....I was telling my buddy the same thing about Berg being the richest Pilon I have ever seen.

Aki Berg shouldnt even be in the NHL and the guy is making over $1 million. It is pathetic.

Can't wait to see Wade get a full season under his belt. If Quinn plays Perrott and not Belak I will personally head to the ACC was piss on its entrance doors.

Is Perrott inked?

[Thrillhouse]

Originally Posted by Odjick29

Is Perrott inked?

He's been offered the league minimum. He has until the 15th to accept.

[JKidd]

great job to get belak... oh hold on a minute, they signed aki f*cking berg...lol that sucks, but hey u still got belak now.

[Kaikkonen]

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

YESSSS and NOOOOO. F you Berg. Belak, you're awesome!

F You... Whats wrong with Berg exept he´s expensive? steady stay at home defenceman.

When he wants to Aki can be a physical force as he likes to deliver thunderous bodychecks. He is able to move the puck out of his zone and can be a solid number five or six defenceman with the Blue and White. And +/- is Pretty solid.

[Duffx AVS-fan]

Originally Posted by Kaikkonen

F You... Whats wrong with Berg exept he´s expensive? steady stay at home defenceman.

When he wants to Aki can be a physical force as he likes to deliver thunderous bodychecks. He is able to move the puck out of his zone and can be a solid number five or six defenceman with the Blue and White. And +/- is Pretty solid.

Get a clue. He's slow and makes tons of mistakes all the time. Dont let the fact that he comes from Finland, cloud your judgment...