RealGM

TSN.ca Staff

5/8/2007 4:16:08 PM

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Ian White to a three-year, $850,000 contract extension on Tuesday.

Good value signing, I like it.

Absolutely- he's an excellent prospect and arguably top-4 on our team. I think Brendan Bell was not far behind him either and we gave him away for nothing. Geesh.

I don't think the Leafs valued Bell too much. He was too far down the depth chart, and was about to be placed on waivers. Ferguson used him as a trade asset and tried to maximize his value. I didn't have a problem trading Bell away, because he wasn't going to be with this team long-term. I didn't like dealing that 2nd rounder away though, that's what hurt in the deal.

Depth defencemen are a premium right now, especially ones like Bell who cal move the puck and have an offensive upside. The guy was captain of his team in Ottawa and was a former CHL Defenceman of the year. I think he was going to take a little longer then Whyte, but I believe he had similar upside.

It just doens't make sense to deal him AND a pick for a guy who walks at the end of the season.

I completely agree with Crowned. I had no problem with trading Bell but I would love to have that 2nd round pick back.

Leafs also re-signed Poni to a 3 year deal