Monday, February 23, 2009

Toronto Maple Leaf's Deadline Review

Toronto Maple Leafs - 11th - 62pts

Total Salary = 48,943,333$
Cap Space = 6,520,417$

The Plot:

The Toronto Maple Leaf's have been in denial the past few seasons while they struggled and now they are finally to admit they have a problem and begin to rebuild. The rebuilding started last season with the firing of John Ferguson Jr and the in term hiring of Cliff Fletcher. Fletcher who promised to clean house come deadline day struggled to make any major deals and single handily pushed long time captain Mats Sundin away from the organization. This year has been different and the right direction has somewhat been set. Brian Burke and Ron Wilson have started the overhaul and ready to begin with the future. While Toronto isn't fully done the rebuilding stages, they should be able to compete next year as long as they have a successful deadline day and successful off season. The Leaf's have a decent core of forwards to work with starting with Matt Stajan who is having is most productive season to date. Jason Blake who has fully recovered from cancer and now is leading the team in scoring and goals. Nik Antropov has turned his season around and has been on fire as of late. Niklas Hagman and Alexei Ponikarovsky have had ok seasons but the Leaf's expect more from the pair. Dominic Moore has shown he can put the puck in the net as well as play a third line checking role and special teams. Rookie Mikhail Grabovski had a tremendous start but slowly fizzled and has shown a volatile temper that causes break downs and bad penalties. Nikolai Kulemin will be able to provide scoring depth in the future but still has to season his game. Tough guy Brad May was brought in to add some character and grit to a team Brian Burke has said to be soft. Jamal Mayers and Andre Deveaux add some muscle while the oft suspended and injured Ryan Hollweg was brought in to help the physical play but now sits in the minors.

On the defensive side of things, the Leafs blueline looks a lot better than it has in recent years with all star Tomas Kaberle who almost every team covets this deadline and offensive minded Pavel Kubina. Kubina leads the backend in goals and in points. Ian White has been a pleasant surprise this season with a team leading +8 and 19 points. Rookie Luke Schenn answered all doubts and has definitely shown he belongs in the big leagues with his stellar play. Jeff Finger has yet to live up to his contract but still steps in and provides two-way play and depth for the Buds. Mike Van Ryn has struggled to stay healthy since arriving from Florida and will help once he gets back. Jonas Frogren has opposing forwards keeping their heads up with his reckless hitting and mean streak in front of the net. Young Anton Stralman still has to find his defensive game but he can step in quarterback the powerplay and carry the puck.

Goaltending has been deteriorating since the start of the season for the Leaf's and they really would like to fix the problem. The Maple Leafs star goalie Vesa Toskala made the difference last season and showed he can log heavy minutes. This season is not the case, Toskala lets in weak goals night after night and his work ethic has been called out by his coach and GM. The Leaf's really have no other choice because veteran Curtis Joseph has struggled each and every time he's been called upon. The future in net doesn't look so great ether with once thought to be the future Justin Pogge. Pogge who has 20 goals against in only 5 games has shown this season he may not be the Leaf's savor not this season for sure and maybe not ever.

Major Injuries:

D - Mike Van Ryn - out with a lowerbody injury and is expected to miss 3 more weeks.

Key Prospects:

1. D Dmitri Vorobiev - Lada Togliatti KHL
2. C Mikhail Stefanovich - Quebec Ramparts QMJHL
3. LW Jarome Flaake - Kölner Haie DEL
4. RW Jimmy Hayes - Boston College NCAA
5. C Chris DiDomenico - Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL
6. G Justin Pogge - Toronto Marlies AHL

UFA's:
C Nik Antropov
C Dominic Moore
LW Brad May
G Curtis Joseph
LW Mark Bell
LW Bates Battaglia
D Josef Boumedienne
D Derrick Walser
C Kris Newbury
RW Ben Ondrus


Players On The Block:
LW Mark Bell - Mark Bell was bannished to the AHL at the start of this season after a few troublesome incidents. There is nothing more Mark Bell wants to do than to restart his life and get things in order. Bell is only 28 and has been playing quite well in the AHL. Any team looking for a cheap low risk rental player should look at Mark Bell. Bell can put up decent numbers and the motivation for him is extremely high.

D Tomas Kaberle - Kaberle would give any team an upgrade on the backend and a boost not only offensively but also defensively. Kaberle recently played in the all star game where he looked on top of his game. The only downside is the Leaf's asking price and the fact that Kaberle has a no trade clause. Kaberle recently gave the Leaf's a list of 10 teams he was willing to play for and all are Eastern conference teams. The Philadelphia Flyers really would love to have him and are expected to lead the way. Boston and Buffalo are both expected to present the Leaf's with offers. Rumor has it that the Florida Panthers could offer Jay Boumeister for Kaberle but the Leaf's would like more insurance Jay will sign.

C Nik Antropov - The Maple Leaf's have grown tired of Antropov's lack luster player and Brian Burke recently called him out only to have him turn his season around and start to tear. Antropov could step in and provide secondary scoring to a team who needs a little help. When Brian Burke announced Antropov needed a change of scenery there were many teams on the phone but once Burke revealed his price tag many teams hung up. He's asking for a 1st round pick for Antropov and many teams feel it's a way inflated price. The Washington Capitols, Chicago Blackhawks and now the Vancouver Canucks have entered the fray.

G Curtis Joseph - The former Maple Leaf icon Curtis Joseph has struggled since returning home and definately shows his age. Its doubtful he'll play in the NHL next year but to a team who needs a veteran goalie or backup for the playoffs he'd fit in well. The Calgary Flames have expressed interest in bringing Joseph back just incase Kipper gets injured but the Flames would like someone who could give the star more rests and judging by his play this season Joseph can't.

C Dominic Moore - Moore the brother of Steve has shown all the teams who let him go that he is after all a decent player. He's the ideal third line center, he plays the checking role exceptionly well, he can kill penalties extremely well, he puts up decent numbers and can even step in on the 2nd line if he is asked. Did I mention he is extremely affordable? The Leaf's would love to resign him but if his price tag is too high then expect a deal. Many teams in the West would love to get there hands on him including the Minnisota Wild.

LW Brad May - The rugged winger is no stranger to deadline deals and this deadline is no different. Every year teams in the West try to bulk up and Brad May not only adds muscle but valuable expereince. May has won a cup before and can guide a teams young players in the right direction. This may be his last chance at another one so Burke might only opt to send him to a contender.

D Jeff Finger - The Leaf's way overpaid for Jeff Finger and GM Brian Burke must realize that by now. Finger isn't an offensive superstar and isn't even a 4 million dollar defenseman. He is decent and can play the 3 to 4 role or provide depth. If Burke gets the right offer expect him to take it so he can give young defensmen like Stralman and White more time on the blueline.

D - Pavel Kubina - The Leaf's still haven't asked Kubina about waiving his no trade clause but a trade is still a possibility. Burke has expressed interest in keeping Kubina since he's had a pretty good season so far leading the blueline in points. Kubina is a powerplay specialist and can create picture perfect passing plays. Many teams would love his services if he was on the market but as of now he's still untouchable. The is a window in the off season that the Leaf's may trade him despite his no trade clause.

LW - Ryan Hollweg - Hollweg has had a rough few seasons and has been a repeat offender for hitting from behind. The Leaf's management got sick of this act quickly and demoted him to the minors and that's where he has stayed since. The Leaf's still have hope he'll straghten up and turn around his game but it might be a while. Hollweg may just need another change in scenery as he's lost his place on the Leaf's roster. A few teams in the West I'm sure would be interested in a grinding hard nosed winger who can agitate with the best.

G - Vesa Toskala - Toskala has been up and down this season after carrying the Leaf's on his back last season. Both his GM and his coach has called him out on the lack of effort he sometimes exorts. He also has looked tired and or injured going down the stretch. The Leaf's have Justin Pogge in waiting but he hasn't looked like the number one goalie they expect him to be. Toskala may have a bye this trade deadline unless the Leaf's feel they can trade for or attract a free agent this summer.

Team Needs/Wants:The Leaf's are pretty much out of the playoff picture and have been open all season long about their intent to sell at the deadline to finish their rebuilding process. The Leaf's arn't really looking for players unless there under contract or young prospects. They want to build on what they have and not subtract from their young core. Hopefully this is the last steps of the rebuilding process and after a good deadline and free agency they should be able to compete next season.

The Final Word:The Leaf's have a good core of young players but their prospect pool has diminished from their sell all future for instant sucess strategy that hasn't quite paid off for them. The Toronto fanbase is getting anxious and would like to see their club in the playoffs for once. Brian Burkes hiring has helped give the Leaf's a much needed boost and finally a smart management group. Burke knows what it takes to build a contender and the Leaf's have already shown a vast improvement. Expect the Leaf's to sell sell sell but only if the price is right.

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