*-> The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly still "open for business" according to Brian Burke. Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stemniak and Garnett Exelby are all rumored to be out the door by seasons end. This Jokinen Deal should end the rumors of Pony heading to the Big Apple. A city I've heard in the mills after the Ukrainian is the Pittsberg Penguins as a backup resource. Stemniak has barely came up in any rumors but the Phoenix Coyotes are looking for fairly inexpensive help. The Preditors have been searching for some backup as well. As for Exelby he's already asked for a deal so its expected he'll be gone by weeks end. The Devils, Coyotes, and the Panthers could be the suitors.
*-> Nicklas Wallin is rumored to be heading to the San Jose Sharks. A deal was in the works late last week and it was dependent of Wallin waiving his no trade clause. Not much else is known except it may have been shot down by Wallin already or he's still thinking it out.
*-> Finally in KHL news, Alexei Zhamnov is returning to the ice again. Zhamnov who is Vityaz Chekhov's GM has decided to lace them up at age 39 after not playing for 3 years. Zhamnov claims he can still play and wants to take the media attention off his team after being in the spotlight for their goon tatics. We,ve all seen the KHL brawl that caught everyones attention last month. This is an attempt to help better his club and to prove they have skill as well. He'll feel out his limitations in the next few weeks during training and practice, then return to the ice for the rest of the year for a base salary with his club. As for the NHL he states the KHL is his final stop and doesn't expect to play for more than 2 seasons ether.
6 comments:
Scoopz,
I think the price Burke paid to get Kessel was ridiculous, but that said...you have to credit him with doing all he can to turn the Leafs into a contender.
When he came on board, all he had to build a team around was Schenn and Kaberle.
On year later....
- He has Kessel and Phaneuf in addition to Schenn
- With Komisarek and Beauchemin, he's re-made the defence corps into a unit capable of top 5 status
- He's added a potential playmaker in Kadri
- By re-uniting Giguere with Francois Allaire for the next season and a half, he may (stress may) have solved their long term goaltending situation by giving Gustavson time to develop into their number one
- And he still has Kaberle
I think Kaberle will get moved, either at the deadline or at the draft, probably for a late 1st and a forward prospect or an established top 6 forward and a late 2nd or 3rd round pick.
I still wouldn't have done the Kessel deal at that price, but Burke's given Leafs' nation something they realistically haven't had in at least 15 years - hope.
Unfortunately for the Sens, with the Kessel trade he's probably made the Bruins better for years to come as well.
Here's hoping Giggy's good enough to elevate them a spot in the standings and keep that Bruins pick outside the top 3.
- Jalen
Scoopz, any reports of Zhamnov doing the one handed deke?
I agree with Jalen, the Leafs are waaaay better now than when they started the year. However, I still think they're headed for another 10 years of mediocrity to average play. Nothing higher than 5th in the conference in the forseeable future.
The Leafs just don't get the patience thing. You don't trade your first rounder unless you're sure that your team can make a cup run and you need that one key missing piece. The Leafs could have pulled the same Phaneuf trade and the Giguere deal without giving up Seguin/Fowler, a second and next year's high pick. I mean, look at Chicago. They were going down still during the John Ferguson years and they've already managed to build into a solid team. Why can't Toronto do the same? Kadri might be a player, but we'll see. It would be better if another young forward was pushing him in camp next year for his ice time. Instead, he's got to shoulder all the pressure and burden of Leaf Nation by himself, and could easily say "screw it" if the pressure gets too high. His roster spot is locked next year, he doesn't even have to show up.
My point is, I'll gladly watch Toronto keep making the same mistakes year after year if it muzzles their annoying fans. Go Sens GO!
CA
Keep on posting such stories. I like to read stories like this. By the way add more pics :)
PatrickJoy
Im with CA, these splashes the Leafs have been making in the last 10 years that promise to solve 40 years of losing is a losing formula. They reek of desperation. And even if the Phaneuf deal works out well for the franchise, I dont want to hear people point to it as a great move by the great Burke because any one of us could pull off one good one from ten attempts.
All very good points everyone. I personally like what Burkes done. The Kessel deal was stupid for sacrificing a really good pick but as Jalen said they might play that pick into a top 5 or 6. There's no doubt a 1st rounder or first round prospect will be coming to Toronto soon. Burkes had the Kaberle Card all year long an knows it. Give them maybe a season or 2 with good drafting and the Leafs will be in the mix again. Many are comparing this to the Doug Gilmour trade. We all remember how that went. Brian Burke may be a hot headed ahole sometimes but he is a smart
GM. As for the patience thing, I think this is Burkes big season/off season then he's guna sit back and wait for his team to gel. Thanks for the comments and pictures would be a nice touch thanks.
All very good points everyone. I personally like what Burkes done. The Kessel deal was stupid for sacrificing a really good pick but as Jalen said they might play that pick into a top 5 or 6. There's no doubt a 1st rounder or first round prospect will be coming to Toronto soon. Burkes had the Kaberle Card all year long an knows it. Give them maybe a season or 2 with good drafting and the Leafs will be in the mix again. Many are comparing this to the Doug Gilmour trade. We all remember how that went. Brian Burke may be a hot headed ahole sometimes but he is a smart
GM. As for the patience thing, I think this is Burkes big season/off season then he's guna sit back and wait for his team to gel. Thanks for the comments and pictures would be a nice touch thanks.
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