Update: 2 years, 1.45 per.
Yep, Brian Burke has wasted no time this off-season bringing in guys with fake last names. Whether it’s Bill Sweatt, Joey Crabb or Brett Lebda, Burke seems to be intent on making us suffer with commentating that was already frsutrating enough on account of Joe Bowen’s dreadful rendition of “GrrrRRRRrrrabouvvsskii”. But I regress, it appears the Toronto Maple Leafs have added to their defensive depth by signing the former Stanley Cup Champion (Red Wings) to a…to a…uh…well, we don’t know the terms, but the Leafs Twitter account told us they signed him, so we’re gonna go on that.
When I first heard the news I didn’t have the overwhelming joy that I had when I found out the Leafs acquired my future new jersey in Kris Versteeg, but I didn’t exactly have the overwhelming dissapointment when the Leafs signed the “decent” grinder in Colby Armstrong. Granted, that could change when I find out the terms of the contract, but as long as he isn’t making more than 1.5 I’d say it’s a decent signing. Oh, I should probably mention that we do know he signed for two years.
Now, to the dismay of Chemmy from Pension Plan Puppets it appears that, as horrible as Lebda may be, he has good intangibles. These include being a drunk party animal and being a drunk party animal, which in other terms translates to him being a hilarious guy who will, if nothing else, be a “good locker-room guy”. Welcome aboard the Character Express, also known as the Leafs 2010 off-season ventures in which they have now acquired three guys, each with varying degrees of skill but all with “good intangibles”. I’m sure you’ll fit right in Brett.
Good news for the Leafs is that Lebda can really skate, so should Tomas Kaberle be dealt this summer it looks like the Leafs blueline won’t be full of pylons after all. And yes, if Tomas Kaberle is dealt it appears the Leafs will continue to eat Jeff Finger’s contract til the bitter end. Ah well, he can earn his money from the press box.
Just so you know, Lebda had 8 points, 24 PIM, 39 hits and a respectable 41 blocked shots in 63 games last season. Intangibles below:
Also, it’s probably a good thing he’s on Colton Orr’s side now.
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