Maple Leafs Welcome Fresh Faces
Nov 7, 2019 11:27:49 GMT -5
AvsGM, Nordiques - Chris, and 5 more like this
Post by LeafsGM on Nov 7, 2019 11:27:49 GMT -5
With cap space dwindling down and free agency wrapping up for the Leafs front office, press gathered for some Q&A with the newest signings.
Even though they weren't able to land any UFA, the team felt they signed one of the better free agents available in Victor Olofsson. Olofsson or "Ole" as he prefers to be called, is one of the rising stars in the league. A rookie with a bevvy of international and Swedish pro league experience under his belt. We caught up with him for his thoughts:
"Oh it's a dream come true really. Even as a little boy in Sweden I dreamed of wearing the blue and white. Arvy is one of my best friends and I'm hoping to play on a line with him as soon as next season.. It's a young team with a lot of potential, so that's the reason I chose to sign here over the others. Well, that, and they threw a lot of money at me (starts laughing)"
Another addition the team is fairly excited about is Ryan Graves. The son of former NHLer Adam Graves, Ryan plays a similar style to his pop as a big, shutdown D that has an underrated clapper from the point. We caught up with Ryan:
"Oh for sure yea, happy to be here yea. Good guys here, good structure, good ownership group, yea for sure I mean yea so happy." When asked if he was surprised the Leafs offered him nearly the same money Adam Pelech received as a restricted free agent, "Oh yea for sure surprised, Adam is a good friend, a good guy, and yea don't want to step on his toes, I'm just happy to be here and be part of the system for sure"
A lesser known signing is that of Brady Keeper. A big body with some real offensive upside, we caught up with Brady and asked him why he thinks the Leafs went after him so early:
"Buddy have you seen my name? I'm a fuckin keeper bro, that's why."
Well said Brady. This was a quiet but important off season for the team, as it added some all important young players and draft picks. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess, as it's really hard to predict the thought process of oft erratic and impulsive GM, Eug Sorokin.
Even though they weren't able to land any UFA, the team felt they signed one of the better free agents available in Victor Olofsson. Olofsson or "Ole" as he prefers to be called, is one of the rising stars in the league. A rookie with a bevvy of international and Swedish pro league experience under his belt. We caught up with him for his thoughts:
"Oh it's a dream come true really. Even as a little boy in Sweden I dreamed of wearing the blue and white. Arvy is one of my best friends and I'm hoping to play on a line with him as soon as next season.. It's a young team with a lot of potential, so that's the reason I chose to sign here over the others. Well, that, and they threw a lot of money at me (starts laughing)"
Another addition the team is fairly excited about is Ryan Graves. The son of former NHLer Adam Graves, Ryan plays a similar style to his pop as a big, shutdown D that has an underrated clapper from the point. We caught up with Ryan:
"Oh for sure yea, happy to be here yea. Good guys here, good structure, good ownership group, yea for sure I mean yea so happy." When asked if he was surprised the Leafs offered him nearly the same money Adam Pelech received as a restricted free agent, "Oh yea for sure surprised, Adam is a good friend, a good guy, and yea don't want to step on his toes, I'm just happy to be here and be part of the system for sure"
A lesser known signing is that of Brady Keeper. A big body with some real offensive upside, we caught up with Brady and asked him why he thinks the Leafs went after him so early:
"Buddy have you seen my name? I'm a fuckin keeper bro, that's why."
Well said Brady. This was a quiet but important off season for the team, as it added some all important young players and draft picks. Where it goes from here is anyone's guess, as it's really hard to predict the thought process of oft erratic and impulsive GM, Eug Sorokin.