A recent article by Toronto Sun writer Lance Hornsby reported that the Maple Leafs opted to not offer restricted free agent John Mitchell a qualifying offer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent July 1st.
“After lengthy talks with Joel Resnick (Mitchell’s agent), we decided not to qualify him,” Burke said after Monday night’s deadline passed. “But he wants to stay and we’d like him to as well. It’s just we feel qualifying him is more (money) than we believe his value is at present. We know we’re running a risk here that he could go.”
Mitchell was not an integral part to the Leafs' effort last year. He played all over the place, some nights on the first line and some nights barely getting ice time on the fourth line. Mitchell also made a handsome $500,000, so it isn't by any stretch of the imagination possible he could get paid two to three times as much next season.
Mitchell finished last year with 23 points in 60 games. However, he was out for a portion of the season with a knee injury, so it could've been possible for him to hit the 40 point plateau had he been healthy. I think that wo ...
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Article written by Brad LeClair
John Mitchell and Phil Oreskovic Not Extended Offers by Toronto Maple Leafs
June 29th, 2010 by Brad LeClair Leave a reply »
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