The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially signed Ben Smith to a contract extension.
The deal was announced by the Toronto Maple Leafs Tuesday that Ben Smith was signed to a one-year $650,000 deal and whether you like it or not, the deal is done.
Not a large one, but a deal nonetheless.
Although he might not be on the team for long because there are a few implications in play here.
We’ll go deeper into those details on another day.
But, with a signing like this coinciding with Nikita Zaitsev’s new deal, we can look to Twitter for the best reactions because there’s bound to be some good ones.
There are, don’t worry.
I’m quite literally doing the same thing James Tanner did for Zaitsev.
I know, I stole his idea, but I did tell him I was stealing it, so, it’s all good, right?
James?
Anyways, here they are.
Twitter Reactions
There’s not a lot, but here are the best out of the bunch found on Twitter and in order from oldest to newest.
Ben Smith played exactly 40 games last season, needed to be signed to a deal to be eligible to expose in the expansion draft.
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) May 2, 2017
Kristen was the first to my knowledge to point that fact out.
However, it may have been common knowledge to some prior to the thought being brought up.
I honestly hadn’t given it too much thought about his 40 game season/eligibility to be exposed.
With a new 1 yr deal, & having played in 40 gms this season, Ben Smith now meets both requirements to be exposed as 1 of the 2 Leaf forwards
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) May 2, 2017
I wonder who the Leafs will expose.
Jeff always brings a smile to my face.
A trade in the works or coverage for Matt Martin?I’m not totally sure if good and Smith can go in the same sentence.
I’m not totally sure if good and Smith can go in the same sentence.
Good, Smi…
Ya, just doesn’t work.
So this means either:
— Ian Tulloch📊 (@IanGraph) May 2, 2017
a) The Leafs think Ben Smith is good
b) The Leafs think Matt Martin is an integral/core piece
Both are indefensible.
True, but is Martin worth protecting?
I think I answered a) above and as for b), it’s a possibility.
Lamoriello says of signing Ben Smith that he is eligible for the expansion draft, in addition to giving the Leafs depth.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 2, 2017
Okay, now here we’re given a little more information from the man who pulled the trigger.
Yes, to be eligible for the Expansion Draft and also because he adds depth.
I mean, he does and doesn’t.
Truth be told, the Leafs have a lot of center depth.
I highly doubt this was really for depth at the position.
Sign Ben smith to protect matt martin. Repeat it in your head it gets dumber every time
— Lupul's Agent (@TMLhottakes) May 2, 2017
I tried a few times and it sounded the same to me.
Look, love him or not, the Leafs might think Martin’s worth holding on to.
When all is said and done, I trust in management that this decision was made with the utmost intention of doing what’s right for the team now and in the future.
No doubt in my mind things will work out to benefit the club.