I know Polak fits what the Leafs want, but to go from sheltered minutes in Hitchcock's system to a bigger role in Carlyle's will be a challenge.
- RogerRoeper

And we retained 200 000 of gunners contract

Leafs retain 200,000 plus a draft pick, wtf?

I like this trade....Polak won't let a forward stand in front of Bernier for a whole minute....like Gunnarson did constantly last year....
- CarlitoBrigante

Well... about that...

I'm just confused: I feel like the cost to acquire is driving expectations for Polak. He's still likely a bottom pairing guy in Toronto. Same deal with Oilers fans who believe that just because we majorly overpayed Nikitin it means he's going to be a top 4 contributor.
- Morris

Top 2!!!!

Leafs retain 200,000 plus a draft pick, wtf?
- LeafMan

Maybe they're going to give them Barbashev

Leafs retain 200,000 plus a draft pick, wtf?
- LeafMan

Beat ya

my definition of culture change would be to stop paying players who no longer play here

tallon said it was the best offer and he strongly thought about making the deal
- Flyfreaky

The other offers must have sucked hard.. having said that Simmonds is a great player, exactly what the Leafs need

And what a shift it was!
- AdamFrench

was it a shift in culture

my definition of culture change would be to stop paying players who no longer play here
- Sammich

I love this Nylander kid. He was great in that movie Catch Me If You Can.
- Zezel

Roman Polak
Defense -- shoots R
Born Apr 28 1986 -- Ostrava, Czech Rep.
[28 yrs. ago]
Height 6.01 -- Weight 227

Leafs retain salary And gave a 4th rounder too ?


(frank)ing wow.

What was Gunnar's cap hit BTW?

- fifty__missions

Leafs drafted by far the hottest chick last night.

Carlysle : Check

#3 : Check

Same team : Check


Culture change : Check



(still lots of time) priceless
- weirdoh

fixed

I'm just confused: I feel like the cost to acquire is driving expectations for Polak. He's still likely a bottom pairing guy in Toronto. Same deal with Oilers fans who believe that just because we majorly overpayed Nikitin it means he's going to be a top 4 contributor.
- Morris

I think most leaf fans agreed we needed to get bigger and better defensively which is exactly what Polak brings. even if he is a 5th D and a plays PK time (which he did in St Louis) Gunnarson played 2 min more for game mostly out of necessisty. Tough to get minutes in St Louis with pietrangelo and JBO playing close to 25 minutes each..... not to mention shattenkirk..... I think it is a good need for need trade

Awesome. (frank)ing great move Nonis.
- walshyleafsfan

I like this. I've wanted a guy like Polak for a while. Big, tough, smart defensively AND a righty. Nice move

good trade.....200K and a 4th is nothing to get your girdle in a knot over

I think most leaf fans agreed we needed to get bigger and better defensively which is exactly what Polak brings. even if he is a 5th D and a plays PK time (which he did in St Louis) Gunnarson played 2 min more for game mostly out of necessisty. Tough to get minutes in St Louis with pietrangelo and JBO playing close to 25 minutes each..... not to mention shattenkirk..... I think it is a good need for need trade
- jribout

In terms of talent I'd put Polak behind Gardiner, Rielly, Franson and Phaneuf, but it's entirely possible he can be a good physical compliment to a more flashy defender.

What was Gunnar's cap hit BTW?
- RogerRoeper

Gunnar 3.15
Polak 2.75

With salary retained, both teams at 2.95 cap wise after the trade.

I know Polak fits what the Leafs want, but to go from sheltered minutes in Hitchcock's system to a bigger role in Carlyle's will be a challenge.
- RogerRoeper

Meh. Gunnar was failing in the bigger role.

In terms of talent I'd put Polak behind Gardiner, Rielly, Franson and Phaneuf, but it's entirely possible he can be a good physical compliment to a more flashy defender.
- Morris

Bottom line is this team needs more Defense and toughness.... less Gunnarson type players ....we already have enough capable offense with gards, reilly, phaneuf, franson...

I like this. I've wanted a guy like Polak for a while. Big, tough, smart defensively AND a righty. Nice move
- lumlums

i would agree if this sounded less g_y

I think most leaf fans agreed we needed to get bigger and better defensively which is exactly what Polak brings. even if he is a 5th D and a plays PK time (which he did in St Louis) Gunnarson played 2 min more for game mostly out of necessisty. Tough to get minutes in St Louis with pietrangelo and JBO playing close to 25 minutes each..... not to mention shattenkirk..... I think it is a good need for need trade
- jribout

He fits what they need no doubt. It'll just be a tougher challenge for him.