report - Leafs sign Czerkawski

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rumour has it that the Leafs have signed free agent Mariusz Czerkawski pending he pass his physical. This could be a good signing based on that he is signing for the minimum and also he is a highly skilled player. He is no Molginy but he can play for my team.

He was having some personal family problems the past few years so hopefully a new start can rejuvenate his career. There is a large Polish community in Toronto so he will feel more at home ?

[RadioGaGa 162]

Reported by who? (or is it whom?)

[kosydar 0]

If its true its not a bad pick up. The Leafs need some offensive depth that he can provide. Didn't he have a heart problem in the past? That might be something to worry about, like with Pilar.

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Reported by who? (or is it whom?)

I was channel surfing and saw it on one of the Sports shows, I think it was Sports Net because TSN was showing US Open tennis.

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If its true its not a bad pick up. The Leafs need some offensive depth that he can provide. Didn't he have a heart problem in the past? That might be something to worry about, like with Pilar.

Hmm, I don't remember him having a heart problem ? Are you sure you are not thinking it might of been another player like Luca Cereda ? I believe he had a similar heart problem and retired.

[chippa13 1844]

Strong offensive player, good on the powerplay. I'm interested to see what he can do in the "offense-friendly" NHL.

[kosydar 0]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/player_bio.asp...r_id=4&hubName=

All I could find was that he had an irregular heart beat in 03. He only missed one game, so it doesn't sound too serious.

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hmm. interesting. In the newspaper they never mentioned anything about an irregular heartbeat. No wonder they say "pending passing physical".

In today's Toronto Star newspaper, Czerkawski told Polish media that he has "agreed to contract with Toronto".

[Ranger-#8 1]

So you think he will put up some decent points this season? like 25 goals 30 assists season?

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its possible, they were saying that he might play on the top line.

I on the other hand, would put him on the third line, its too much pressure for him there. Let him stay in the background and quietly do his stuff. IMO.

[$-Money9 0]

I remember the habs picking him up a few years ago, I was so excited but he was a total bust. He did have some good years with the islanders though.

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Wasn't he going through some tough times in Montreal ? My friend told me that he was married to a super model and they were splitting up. I think he also had a daughter so he was really torn. I believe Mikael Renberg went through the same thing with his family back in Sweden. The Toronto coach gave him some time off during the season so he could go back home and sort things out.

My friend says Czerkawski has a Toronto condo from before and really likes Toronto

[$-Money9 0]

Well it didnt help Renberg. He hasn't done anything for the leafs.

[Steveo 0]

its possible, they were saying that he might play on the top line.

I on the other hand, would put him on the third line, its too much pressure for him there. Let him stay in the background and quietly do his stuff. IMO.

Come on now, this is Pat Quinn, he'll throw anyone on the top line, I've been watching some of the games from '01 on Leafs TV and it's pretty sad how bad he is at putting lines together. Not to mention the lines get changed every other night. Personally as a player, that would piss me off, you need to build a chemistry with your linemates

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In Pat Quinn's defence, he was one of the few coaches to try and put on 4 decent lines where other coaches went more with 3 lines (where each line gets a decent amount of ice time). I kind of liked it when he spread out his talent amongst all 4 lines. Didn't Detroit use a similar type strategy ?

It also didn't help that a lot of their players kept on getting injured one time another. Mogilny, Renberg, Nolan and Roberts all had their share of injuries.

[Eazy_b97 1]

It's being reported by basically everyone. Headline Sports, Sportnet, the papers, only one I haven;t heard is TSN and I haven't checked it. With Quinn apperantly wanted to try Allison and O'Neil together this is my hunch for lines. Tucker also hinted he'll be with Mats

Tucker - Sundin - Czerkawski

Stajan - Allison - O'Neil

Antropov - Lindros - Poni

Kilger - Wellwood/Wilm/Kukumberg - Domi

Mike Keane will also be at Camp apperantly on a try-out. Just saw it on S-Net. Marius isn't an exceptional signing, but he adds an offensive threat to us on the wings.

[Adam91 0]

I'm not sure how well he'll play for the leafs.. he played horribly for the Habs. I think he might be one of those guys who puts up way better numbers with only one team kinda of like Linden and the Canucks, some guys just play better in certain places.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Who did he play with on the Habs? They don't generally play a run and gun like the Leafs do from what I've seen. I think he also played under Julien too?

[RadioGaGa 162]

Who did he play with on the Habs? They don't generally play a run and gun like the Leafs do from what I've seen. I think he also played under Julien too?

I don't remember who he played with in MTL, but when he was in Hamilton, he could be on fire for 1 or 2 shifts and then be totally invisible for the rest of the night. The most telling thing about him...

In 2002-2003 when the Dogs were in Game 6 in Houston...must win to bring it back to Copps for Game 7. Where was Mariusz? A 2.6 Million dollar healthy scratch!

[EDIT] btw...the Leafs are getting close to 40 Mil. Who are they getting rid of to make Cap room? or are they really really really counting on Nolan's 6 Mil coming off he books????

[Chadd 916]

[EDIT] btw...the Leafs are getting close to 40 Mil. Who are they getting rid of to make Cap room? or are they really really really counting on Nolan's 6 Mil coming off he books????

The NHL has assured the Leafs that Nolan will not count against the team, no matter what the final ruling is on his status.

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[EDIT] btw...the Leafs are getting close to 40 Mil. Who are they getting rid of to make Cap room? or are they really really really counting on Nolan's 6 Mil coming off he books????

The NHL has assured the Leafs that Nolan will not count against the team, no matter what the final ruling is on his status.

the thing that puzzles me a bit is the current team cap total. They say its around $37 million. I am guessing that already excludes Nolan's salary ?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature.asp?fid=6926

With these stats Toronto is over $39 million already without Czerkawski and FA Nathan Perrot ?

[RadioGaGa 162]

The TSN number is including Nolan.

Chadd, I hadn't heard that....good news for them.

[kosydar 0]

It says on Spector's website that the Leafs are also looking to sign Perreault. Plus there is that Steve Thomas rumor that keeps floating around. I'd personally take Perreault. Hes good at faceoffs, and I'd rather have too many centers than wingers.

[chippa13 1844]

I'm not sure how well he'll play for the leafs.. he played horribly for the Habs. I think he might be one of those guys who puts up way better numbers with only one team kinda of like Linden and the Canucks, some guys just play better in certain places.

He had a couple good seasons with Edmonton as well as on the Isle. I think he can be good on the second line and second pp unit.

[golfpuck 0]

i dont think the leafs need to sign any one else until training camp is done, and guys show they cant play... unless they are willing to come on a try out...

the only reason you would need Perreault is if you want to play lindros on the wing... but i dont know why you would want Perreault, he's a defensive liability after the faceoff, your better of with Antropov/stajan at centre on the 3rd line

you'd probably want stajan on at least the 3rd line to get him some ice time so he and develops, 5 mins a night on the 4th line wont do him any good...

plus they could have signed travis green a month ago... who is way better defensively.. plus with only tucker left, shouldnt be any trouble in the dressing room

just my 2 cents..

lindros - sundin - Czerkawski

tucker - allison - o'niell

Antropov - stajan- Poni

Domi + whomever.. belak/steen/Wellwood/Wilm/Kukumberg