Most hockey fans outside of Colorado have little idea who Jeff Finger is, but many in Canada will get to know him starting next season.

Finger today signed a four-year, $3.5 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who only play in Canada’s biggest hockey market.

Despite the efforts of Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher to clear some cap space to continue the team’s rebuilding plan he doesn’t have enough to bid competitively for the big name free agents available this summer, leading many to suspect he’d seek more affordable free agent signings.

Finger’s signing certainly fits the bill. At 28 he’s only a second-year NHL player but showed promise in his second season with the Colorado Avalanche last season, with 19 points in 72 games and a solid plus-minus of +12.

It may not seem like much of a move but Finger could go on to become one of Fletcher’s better signings and a good addition to the Leafs blueline.

**UPDATE** Originally this was reported as $3.5 million over the four years. It's now being reported by TSN as $3.5 million per season.

That changes my analysis completely. At $3.5million over four years it would've been more than affordable, nearly doubling Finger's $475K he earned last season.

But $3.5 million per season? The hell???

Sorry, but that's crazy money for a guy who only played one full NHL season. I realize Fletcher's doing like most GMs and paying for potential but that's far too much for a blueliner of his caliber at this stage of his career.

As if the pressure of playing in Toronto weren't bad enough, Finger's now going to have to justify that $3.5 million per season.

For his sake and that of the Leafs, I sure hope he does.