Jeremy Laura: Winged Wheel Season 3, episode 1

Going to the winter classic at the big house was a moment I'll never forget even though we lost, it was just surreal. The snowstorm that came the night before and into that day and still 100,000+ came. Heck I remember giving some hand warmers to a dad and his daughter, who were Toronto fans, because my " liqour blanket gave me the warmth I needed". He then gives me his flask of blue label johnny Walker and says have fun bud.

All the hate Toronto fans get( for being centre of hockey universe or whatever) I didn't see it, fun healthy rivalry in my experience. Cheers of lets go red wings and at the clap clap clap it was go leafs go. Just such a fun atmosphere.

Also the 97 cup championship that got me into hockey at 5 years old.

Maple Leafs sign Nick Ritchie

Bertuzzi re-signed for 2 years.

Bertuzzi re-signed for 2 years.
- TxWingFan

Per M-Live Bertuzzi deal is a two-year contract valued at $4.75 million a season. Not too bad!

Per M-Live Bertuzzi deal is a two-year contract valued at $4.75 million a season. Not too bad!
- TxWingFan

I will take it. What does Vrana snag? $5m?

Per M-Live Bertuzzi deal is a two-year contract valued at $4.75 million a season. Not too bad!
- TxWingFan

I will take it. What does Vrana snag? $5m?
- DRW1991

I would think something similar to what Mantha signed depending on term.

I was kind of hoping he would go 3 or 4 years with Bert. Yzerman seems to want to keep contracts mainly short term it seems for now.

I was kind of hoping he would go 3 or 4 years with Bert. Yzerman seems to want to keep contracts mainly short term it seems for now.
- dcz28

Agree on the longer term, especially when he will be a UFA after.

I was kind of hoping he would go 3 or 4 years with Bert. Yzerman seems to want to keep contracts mainly short term it seems for now.
- dcz28

There are still no deals that extend past next season at this point. It’s incredible how open Yzerman is leaving everything. I think Hronek will break that plane, but i could be wrong

I was kind of hoping he would go 3 or 4 years with Bert. Yzerman seems to want to keep contracts mainly short term it seems for now.
- dcz28

I think if he’d had a full healthy season last year it would have been. If this year goes well, I would expect an extension during the second year instead of waiting for UFA

Live press conference for Bert in 3 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpSzPm9tPnU

I was kind of hoping he would go 3 or 4 years with Bert. Yzerman seems to want to keep contracts mainly short term it seems for now.
- dcz28

I’m gonna guess Bertuzzi wanted 2 years or 6 years.

Agree on the longer term, especially when he will be a UFA after.
- TxWingFan

Maybe Yzerman doesn't see Bert as part of the core moving forward and intends to trade him before that contract runs out.

I think if he’d had a full healthy season last year it would have been. If this year goes well, I would expect an extension during the second year instead of waiting for UFA
- Jeremy Laura

Possible but also possible he doesn't see him as part of the core and might move him before the end of that contract if he can get a big return.

Hronek could be longer term i thought maybe Vrana too but because of his small sample size with the Wings, i could see him going short term with Vrana too.

Possible but also possible he doesn't see him as part of the core and might move him before the end of that contract if he can get a big return.

Hronek could be longer term i thought maybe Vrana too but because of his small sample size with the Wings, i could see him going short term with Vrana too.
- dcz28

This is my inner “fan boy” a little bit. I do think Yzerman will want Bert and Larkin long term. It’s been a while, but those two on the ice together are a powder keg. They yell and cuss at each other during play the way good friends do. I don’t think they’ll be the “top” players of a championship team (please don’t hate me on that one). But I think they’re the heart and soul. Bert reminds me a little of Dustin Brown. I’m so grateful we took him earlier than pundits “recommended”.

I’m sure it’s fine to share this. When Tyler was drafted, Todd (uncle) was outside and his son Tag came running out, so excited. It was a very cool moment for everyone, and the “hate” came flying about the pick on social media. Seeing Yzerman grab Fabbri and now Suter, he does care about interactions/relationships. I wouldn’t mind seeing those three on a line

This is my inner “fan boy” a little bit. I do think Yzerman will want Bert and Larkin long term. It’s been a while, but those two on the ice together are a powder keg. They yell and cuss at each other during play the way good friends do. I don’t think they’ll be the “top” players of a championship team (please don’t hate me on that one). But I think they’re the heart and soul. Bert reminds me a little of Dustin Brown. I’m so grateful we took him earlier than pundits “recommended”.

I’m sure it’s fine to share this. When Tyler was drafted, Todd (uncle) was outside and his son Tag came running out, so excited. It was a very cool moment for everyone, and the “hate” came flying about the pick on social media. Seeing Yzerman grab Fabbri and now Suter, he does care about interactions/relationships. I wouldn’t mind seeing those three on a line
- Jeremy Laura

That is nice sentiment, but Stevie has demonstrated that anyone above age 26 is trade bait. his projection seems to be that in the 4-6 years he wants 90% of the team to be below 30 years of age. He will get the best value for Bert if he is traded THIS year. He will be more than a rental and on a good deal. As long as Bert has a good start....

That is nice sentiment, but Stevie has demonstrated that anyone above age 26 is trade bait. his projection seems to be that in the 4-6 years he wants 90% of the team to be below 30 years of age. He will get the best value for Bert if he is traded THIS year. He will be more than a rental and on a good deal. As long as Bert has a good start....
- HenryHockey

I think he still has in mind players to be “long term”. Not saying Bert won’t or wouldn’t be traded, but that there will be a “mix” eventually. He certainly has the “core age”, but I wouldn’t discount that Bert and/or Larkin could be here long term

I think he still has in mind players to be “long term”. Not saying Bert won’t or wouldn’t be traded, but that there will be a “mix” eventually. He certainly has the “core age”, but I wouldn’t discount that Bert and/or Larkin could be here long term
- Jeremy Laura

He developed a core in Tampa as well. Stamkos, Hedman, and Killorn and the "old" vets.

I was also at the Big House for the Winter classic. Met some Toronto fans who were very friendly, but a lot of snow that day.

Maple Leafs sign Nick Ritchie
- HenryHockey

Yeah.... just saw that ealier today. Two years at 2.5 million per year. Wonder if Stevie talked to Ritchie at all or simply didn't want to offer that much. I'd be curious to know. He would have been a nice add-on with Pius Suter. Oh well...

We'll see how Stephens works out as the 4th line center. I'm not sold on Veleno yet as a bonafide NHLer. He's still got a lot or work to do and and to prove. He's gotten better in GR so we'll see... I'll be watching him and probably Lucas Raymond. I'm not sold on Raymond yet either despite his offensive upside potential.

Yeah.... just saw that ealier today. Two years at 2.5 million per year. Wonder if Stevie talked to Ritchie at all or simply didn't want to offer that much. I'd be curious to know. He would have been a nice add-on with Pius Suter. Oh well...
- Vladdie_Kon1

Ritchie sucks.

Ritchie sucks.
- Feds91Stammer

Well Feds... you may think so... that's your opinion. But I don't think 26 points in 56 games this season "sucks". It's not like he's an old man at 25. He would look pretty decent on our bottom 6 at a low cost / low term and minimal risk. He plays a physical game and would add some sandpaper. Other than Givani Smith, we don't have anyone who adds that element to our team.