David Booth approaching 1-year deal with Maple Leafs as a shot at 'redemption'
David Booth signed a one-year, $1.1-million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, less than one month after the Vancouver Canucks exercised a compliance buyout on his previous six-year, $25.5-million deal.
Despite the sizable pay cut, the 29-year-old believes there's still plenty of gas in his tank, and he will attempt to use the opportunity in Toronto to prove as much.
Booth says he is approaching this season as a redemption year. Says he has had a good offseason and has high expectations for this year.
— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) July 23, 2014
The Detroit native added he "talked with a few teams, but playing so close to home in Toronto was too good to pass up." He also spoke to Mason Raymond, with whom he played in Vancouver and who spent 2013-14 with the Maple Leafs, and received glowing reviews about life in the blue and white.
Finally, Booth added he's looking forward to reuniting with another former Canuck.
Booth is looking forward to playing with #Vancouver and #Florida teammate Mike #Santorelli again. Says they play well together.
— News1130 Sports (@News1130Sports) July 23, 2014
For his career, Booth is averaging 40 points per season, but has not hit that mark since 2010-11 as a member of the Florida Panthers. If he can produce at that level in Toronto, not only will his contract be a steal, but he'll put himself in a good position to cash in next summer.