"Thank You"~Glen and Barb Wesley

[Turbulence]

Canes fans make fans of Wesleys
"Thank You" doesn't seem adequate enough for all the wonderful people God has blessed us with. Friends, neighbors, teammates, church family, school, Hurricanes management and staff, all the staff at the RBC Center and to YOU, the loudest fans in the NHL!
A full house even in times of struggle ... Multiple, overwhelming standing ovations ... Special (and yearly) get well wishes ...

And, at Glen's return (March 25), his disappointment of a broken foot was diminished by the warm welcome of cards, calls and signs.

Thank you again. You are simply the best!

Glen and Barb Wesley

Cary

NHL defenseman Glen Wesley was traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

[Turbulence]

Canes fans make fans of Wesleys
"Thank You" doesn't seem adequate enough for all the wonderful people God has blessed us with. Friends, neighbors, teammates, church family, school, Hurricanes management and staff, all the staff at the RBC Center and to YOU, the loudest fans in the NHL!
A full house even in times of struggle ... Multiple, overwhelming standing ovations ... Special (and yearly) get well wishes ...

And, at Glen's return (March 25), his disappointment of a broken foot was diminished by the warm welcome of cards, calls and signs.

Thank you again. You are simply the best!

Glen and Barb Wesley

Cary

NHL defenseman Glen Wesley was traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

[talkingcanes]

Now, there's a class act. That was incredibly thoughtful of both of them :spin:

Come back to us, Glen.

[talkingcanes]

Now, there's a class act. That was incredibly thoughtful of both of them :spin:

Come back to us, Glen.

[Turbulence]

Ditto on both remarks.

[Turbulence]

Ditto on both remarks.

[hyena]

wow, how nice is that. :spin: glen, you deserve a better place than toronto. ;)

[hyena]

wow, how nice is that. :spin: glen, you deserve a better place than toronto. ;)

[StormShaman]

Why, oh why does he have to be a Leaf? I hate having to cheer against the guy. :(

[StormShaman]

Why, oh why does he have to be a Leaf? I hate having to cheer against the guy. :(

[raleighcanesfan]

Maybe he'll be back next year (although I don't buy into those rumors personally) I guess it could happen.

[raleighcanesfan]

Maybe he'll be back next year (although I don't buy into those rumors personally) I guess it could happen.

[nccanes]

Very nice gesture!! :kiss:

Thanks for posting it - I missed it in the paper.

Makes me think the chance of getting Glen back is extremely small though. :sad:

[nccanes]

Very nice gesture!! :kiss:

Thanks for posting it - I missed it in the paper.

Makes me think the chance of getting Glen back is extremely small though. :sad:

[Stormbringer]

Awwww...ditto on all that's been said, except the possibility of signing Wes back being slim... :spin:

[Stormbringer]

Awwww...ditto on all that's been said, except the possibility of signing Wes back being slim... :spin:

[MeanGene]

That is awesome!!!!

[MeanGene]

That is awesome!!!!

[Jeff O Rocks]

I saw that and was very impressed by their thanks!! Fans don't come any better than us Caniacs!! ;)

[Jeff O Rocks]

I saw that and was very impressed by their thanks!! Fans don't come any better than us Caniacs!! ;)

[CaniacKikiBB13]

I agree Jeff O...fans don't come any better than caniacs!!! :spin: It kinda makes me feel as though he will be back next year. Please come back home Glen :sad: !!

[CaniacKikiBB13]

I agree Jeff O...fans don't come any better than caniacs!!! :spin: It kinda makes me feel as though he will be back next year. Please come back home Glen :sad: !!

[1Irbegirlforever]

Hey Turb...i hope you don't mind...i also posted this over at CH.com.

[1Irbegirlforever]

Hey Turb...i hope you don't mind...i also posted this over at CH.com.

[Night Train]

Great letter. Wesley has gained a fan for the rest of his career, no matter where he plays. Very, very classy.

[Night Train]

Great letter. Wesley has gained a fan for the rest of his career, no matter where he plays. Very, very classy.

[crazy4canes]

Oh wow. That's very nice. :cry: What a classy man.

[crazy4canes]

Oh wow. That's very nice. :cry: What a classy man.

[moonstomper]

hes definitly a Cane at heart, best of luck in all your endeavors Glen

[moonstomper]

hes definitly a Cane at heart, best of luck in all your endeavors Glen

[Alicia]

Indeed, a classy pair. We do miss you, Glen!

[Alicia]

Indeed, a classy pair. We do miss you, Glen!

[Turbulence]

Hey Turb...i hope you don't mind...i also posted this over at CH.com.

How dare you.... :mad:
Just kidding. :beatup:

[Turbulence]

Hey Turb...i hope you don't mind...i also posted this over at CH.com.

How dare you.... :mad:
Just kidding. :beatup:

[nccanes]

There are a couple of different threads that include info about Wesley, so I just put this blurb from the N&O here. He still wants more money and contract length than I think JR/PK is willing to do, but who knows...

One possibility on defense remains former Carolina stalwart Glen Wesley, who appears unlikely to re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs before he becomes a free agent on July 1. Wesley is seeking a three-year contract believed to be worth $10.5 million.



and from the Toronto Star about the negotiations. Prior to this, it sounded to me that the Leafs were willing to go multi-year....

Quinn, meanwhile, had a meeting yesterday morning with Rick Curran, the agent for defenceman Glen Wesley, and characterized it as a "philosophical discussion."

But it is becoming apparent that the two sides have widely different philosophies, with Wesley reportedly wanting a three-year deal worth about $3 million (U.S.) per season, while the Leafs are standing firm on a one-year deal at less money, positioning themselves for the post-lockout landscape by having as few contracts on the books as possible beyond next season.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Interesting Eileen....we might see him back here yet!! :roll:

[Guyute]

wanting a 3 year deal is a bold statement from Glen. Not sure JR would offer 3 in this market.

[nccanes]

wanting a 3 year deal is a bold statement from Glen. Not sure JR would offer 3 in this market.

John Forslund was on with Chris Clark this morning. He talked about how Glen ended up with some bad timing in regard to being a UFA. He talked about how if he can't get a multi-year deal from Toronto, he's better off to sign with the Canes for a 1 year deal - not uprooting his family and returning to a place where he's been very happy. Forslund said something like "Glen can return to the Canes on his terms for a one year contract", which I took to mean that on a 1 year deal, the Canes would likely meet his salary requirements, and no other team would be more attractive.

[Jeff O Rocks]

wanting a 3 year deal is a bold statement from Glen. Not sure JR would offer 3 in this market.

John Forslund was on with Chris Clark this morning. He talked about how Glen ended up with some bad timing in regard to being a UFA. He talked about how if he can't get a multi-year deal from Toronto, he's better off to sign with the Canes for a 1 year deal - not uprooting his family and returning to a place where he's been very happy. Forslund said something like "Glen can return to the Canes on his terms for a one year contract", which I took to mean that on a 1 year deal, the Canes would likely meet his salary requirements, and no other team would be more attractive.

That sounds ideal for Glen....signing for one year and not having to uproot his family....he knows everyone here, knows the system and he seemed happy before he left...so what is the alternative if the Leafs don't sign him??? Will he just meander around until another team shows interest??

[nccanes]

Nothing new it seems, but from the Toronto Star today:

But July 1 is important to the Leafs because that's when players become eligible for free agency. The Leafs have until Tuesday to negotiate exclusively with defenceman Glen Wesley, who has expressed an interest in remaining with the team. But he reportedly wants a three-year deal at about $3 million (all figures U.S.) per year, while the Leafs are believed to be offering a one-year pact.

"There isn't anything new to report," Wesley's agent, Rick Curran, said. "We continue to have discussions and there's really nothing more I can say at the moment."

[craigadamstheman]

That was a very nice letter from the Wesley's!!!! Wish he was back!!! :sad:

[nccanes]

Toronto Sun today..

Looks like Glen will not be signed before tomorrow :) . It should be interesting after that...




"We certainly are trying to remain flexible," said Quinn, who continues to handle the general manager's chores until someone is hired to assume that role. "We're not going to be in a stampede. There's not a must-sign out there.

"We want to wait to see where the market is going."

Like many teams, the Leafs are wary of the impending work stoppage that looms in September 2004, when the collective bargaining agreement runs out. As a result there is a reluctance to offer up multi-year pacts.

Length of contract is one of the major stumbling blocks in negotiations between the Leafs and Rick Curran, the agent for defenceman Glen Wesley. While talks between the two sides continue, no deal is expected today, meaning Wesley will be available to any and all bidders tomorrow.

[Jeff O Rocks]

While talks between the two sides continue, no deal is expected today, meaning Wesley will be available to any and all bidders tomorrow.



I have all ideas that Glen will once again be wearing red....I think that may have been the plan all along.. :D :roll:...but I could be wrong.

[Shell]

TORONTO MAYBE LEAFS

Pat Quinn feels it is unlikely the Maple Leafs will be as active in free agency this season as in years past. Nevertheless, here are some players that could tweak the team's interest:

F Joe Nieuwendyk: Whitby native would love to finish career in Toronto.

D Glen Wesley: Will reluctant Leafs finally give him long-term deal he's looking for?

D Greg de Vries: Leafs like him, but will market push his price up too much?

D Ken Klee: While not spectacular, he's the type of solid veteran who might come at a reasonable price.

D Bryan Marchment: Leafs have shown interest in the past.

D Dmitry Yushkevich: Popular with former Leafs teammates, less so with management.

D Jason Woolley: Leafs could have had him for next to nothing midway though last season.

D Boris Mironov: Another available defenceman Leafs passed on during 2002-03 campaign.

D Janne Laukannen: Has been inconsistent the past couple of seasons.

D Eric Desjardins: Seeking long-term pact.

D Derian Hatcher/Brian Leetch: Leafs likely would have to open the vault to land one of these players, an unlikely scenario.

[stewart123]

Wesley said he "hopes to hear from some teams to help him make a quick decision." (The context of the quote was indicative that Glen doesn't expect to hear an acceptable offer from Toronto before the deadline.)

[nccanes]

Today's N&O article:

Return to Canes possible for Wesley
By LUKE DECOCK, Staff Writer


Glen Wesley appears set to become a free agent today, which may mean a return to the Carolina Hurricanes for the 34-year-old defenseman.
Second all-time in games played for the Carolina franchise, Wesley has yet to receive a response from the Toronto Maple Leafs on the contract proposal he submitted a month ago.

Wesley's agent, Rick Curran, attributed this to the uncertainty in the Toronto front office after coach Pat Quinn was forced to relinquish his position as general manager last week.

Wesley, who was traded to the Leafs in March, has always been willing to consider a return to Carolina. Without a deal with Toronto, that becomes an alternative today.

"I don't think it's any secret what option he would like to consider when he's allowed to [today]," Curran said. "He liked it in Toronto, no question; but his heart is in one place, and his mind is in another. He can't make a decision until he knows what his options are."

Wesley reportedly is asking for a three-year contract at more than $3 million per year from the Leafs. He was traveling and unavailable for comment Monday.

The Canes did not extend a qualifying offer to forward Jan Hlavac, and Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said the Canes planned to spend the $1.77 million they budgeted for Hlavac on a defenseman.

Wesley will be part of one of the bigger free-agent classes in history. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the end of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement in September 2004, some players who normally would have been offered contracts have been cut loose.

That group includes Hlavac, Anaheim center Adam Oates, Toronto forward Jonas Hoglund, New Jersey defensemen Oleg Tverdovsky and Richard Smehlik and Vancouver forward Trevor Letowski.

"We're looking at a bunch of defensemen," Rutherford said. The Canes may sign free agents or make a trade, he added.

"We might sit tight until August or even waiver-draft time, based on the market," Rutherford said. "But there are going to be guys available; and if somebody comes along with the right deal in the next couple days, we'll do it."



and the other side of the deal - the Toronto Star take:


KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER
Meanwhile, Robert Svehla's indecisiveness has left the Leafs in a state of paralysis entering the free-agent season and was also a major reason why they weren't able to sign Glen Wesley by the deadline.

As a result, Wesley became an unrestricted free agent, but there is still a good chance he'll come to terms with the Leafs. Both the Leafs and Wesley's agent, Rick Curran, are reasonably optimistic.

"There is a mutual interest with Glen and the club to have him play in Toronto," Curran said. The Leafs and Wesley are still reportedly at loggerheads on terms of the deal. The Leafs want to give Wesley a one- or two-year deal, while Wesley is reportedly looking for three in the $3 million range.

[MCAngel]

:angel:

[nccanes]

It would be so much nicer to see #2 play in red this season than in blue! I know he was really touched by the welcome he got last spring even when he couldn't play, but think of the cool reception if he comes back here! :angel:

Wasn't it cool? I remember seeing the big banner in the upper level in the North End: "WELCOME HOME GLEN". Can't say it any better than that!

:D

[Turbulence]

That's really good to hear...Wes has been a staple of the defensive corps in the past and it would be awesome to be able to get him back...but would we offer him the multi-year contract he wants?

[nccanes]

That's really good to hear...Wes has been a staple of the defensive corps in the past and it would be awesome to be able to get him back...but would we offer him the multi-year contract he wants?

Dunno Turby. But if no one else out there is offering what he wants in length - the Canes have the advantage in this regard. If Wesley can make good money, but only for 1 year - conventional wisdom seems to be that he'd keep his family settled here in Raleigh and sign a 1 year deal here, rather than uprooting them for 1 year anywhere else.

[Shell]

Tue, July 1, 2003
T.O. the good again
No shortage of players willing to come
By MIKE ZEISBERGER, TORONTO SUN

Glen Wesley and Dmitry Yushkevich are interested in coming back, while Joe Nieuwendyk is intrigued with the idea of coming home. Who says free agents don't want to play hockey in Toronto?

A year ago the city was buzzing with rumours suggesting just that, especially after the Maple Leafs came up short in efforts to land overpriced commodities Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis.

Losing out to the New York Rangers in the bidding for those two underachievers may have been the best thing that happened to the Leafs. At least they made the playoffs, a feat the Broadway Blueshirts could not accomplish even with Holik and Kasparaitis in the lineup.

This time around there is no shortage of bodies who would welcome the opportunity to toil in blue and white.

Wesley's agent, Rick Curran, yesterday received a call from Leafs outgoing general manager Pat Quinn, who remains hopeful of re-signing the veteran defenceman.

While Wesley, 34, officially became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 this morning, Curran cautioned observers against interpreting the move as a sign that his client will not end up back in Toronto.

"It really isn't critical in this case," Curran said. "It's just part of the business. It doesn't mean anything.

"Glen has expressed an interest in potentially staying, and the Leafs have expressed interest in having him back. There really isn't a deadline here. The process will take some time, but Pat and I had a good conversation. There still is a mutual interest in doing something."

Interestingly Curran has been retained to represent Nieuwendyk, the Whitby native who is open to a return to southern Ontario. Coming to the Leafs would mean a reunion with childhood chum Gary Roberts, another Curran client.

"Why wouldn't players want to come to Toronto?" said Yushkevich, the former Leaf who was shipped to the Florida Panthers last summer. "Sure there is pressure, but it's a great place to play."

How tough is Yushkevich? The free agent defenceman admitted to separating his shoulder in Game 4 of the Leafs-Philadelphia Flyers first-round matchup, yet refused to come out of the lineup for the remainder of the playoffs.

Yushkevich was with the Flyers at the time.

"I have no hard feelings against the Leafs organization or Pat Quinn," said Yushkevich, who will be in town working out at Roberts' Station Seven Reebok gym later this week. "I'd really enjoy coming back if it worked out."

Late last night, Yushkevich's rights were traded to the Washington Capitals for a seventh-round pick in 2004. Yushkevich remains free, and the Caps will receive a compensatory pick when Yushkevich signs with another team.

Some agents contend the Leafs must iron out their budget before they'll become active in the free-agent market.

At least the organization continues to get its house in order. Today the baton is officially passed from Steve Stavro to Larry Tanenbaum, who takes over as chairman of the board of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd.

"There still are some i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed but it'll be done as soon as possible," MLSEL president Richard Peddie said. "The lawyers are on it."