After the big trade which sent Blake, Toskala, Hagman, Stajan, White, and Mayers over to the Western Conference and Giguere, Phaneuf, Sjostrom, and Aullie to the good guys, the Leafs are 2-2-0 with a 1.75 GAA. Phaneuf has made the defense look like...a defense! Sjostrom has provided a great jump to the penalty kill making the Leafs 10 for 11 on the PK since the trade.
Giguere has been fantastic, 2-1-0 with the Leafs with 2 shutouts in those 2 victories. Giguere became the first goaltender and Leafs history, and first in the NHL since Hackett in 2003 to get back-to-back shutouts in his first two games.
This trade is a true display of Burke's genius. Now, I am not planning the parade, this team is far from being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender but this trade is finally a step in the right direction. What the Leafs need is a player to play with Kessel.
I'm going to cut this one short, there's one game left before the Olympics break in St. Louis, the Leafs will play former Leafs Steen and Colaiacovo. On a side note: apparently the Blues are saying the Colaiacovo is on the trading block.
Before I go, I want to give my condolences to the Burke family after the tragic loss of Brendan Burke. RIP Brendan and my thoughts and prayers go out to Brian and his family.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Who's left to trade?
The Leafs played an amazing game tonight, whitewashing the Devils 3-0. Giguere is only the second goalie in Leafs history to record a shutout in his debut (the first being Eddie Belfour in 2002). And the three stars for tonights game? Sjostrom, Phaneuf, and Giguere: Burke is going to be sleeping well tonight, that's for sure!
In an earlier post I talked about potential players to trade. Well, I listed 5 of them...3 of them have been traded, I feel good about myself for that one.
Tomas Kaberle (as I mentioned earlier)- Obvious, it's been talked about for years, but he won't waive his No-Trade Clause and Burke won't ask him to. However, since making that statement, Kaberle's ice time has decreased: coincidence? He is probably the Leafs biggest asset, he can be the difference between being eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs, and making it to the finals. I would hate to see him go, but the Leafs can get something decent for him, potentially a first-round pick. Perhaps the accquisition of Phaneuf is going to be a factor in getting Tomas to waive his NTC. On Sportsnet, it was said that Tomas Kaberle jerseys are being sold for half-price.
Alexei Ponikarovsky- (As I mentioned earlier)The "Big Pony" has been fairly decent this season. He can be an affective goal scorer as long as he is surrounded by the right line mates. Perhaps he'd look good in Nashville. When Brian Burke stated he was going to try making another trade before the Olympic roster freeze, speculation immediately started that Ponikarovsky was next. Who knows? maybe he is, Burke blew up this team once, let's see if he'll do it again.
Mikhail Grabovski- Well, now we see why Montreal was so eager to get rid of him. However, he does have SOME good qualities...such as...he's fast, that's about it. If you're looking for a passer, or someone who keeps their head up...steer clear of Grabbo. However, he is fast, and he can score sometimes...he'd make a decent third liner on a real team.
Joey MacDonald- Assuming all goes well with Giguere and the Leafs decide to keep him. Joey MacDonald would be a decent goalie for a team looking for a backup (like Anaheim when they see Toskala actually play). He held is own pretty well on a league-worst New York Islanders. I'm not sure Burke's plans with MacDonald for the future, but if it's just to stay in the Marlies, you might as well trade him.
Jeff Finger- Okay now hear me out, I know no one would take on his contract unless the team has JFJ as their GM however, Finger does have some qualities that may make him appealing. He's a big hitter and is known for his open ice hits. He can score from the point on the powerplay. I expect Burke to try dealing him because you can't have an overpaid defenceman sitting on the sidelines.
That's all for now. Enjoy your new-look Leafs Leafs Nation. See you next time!
In an earlier post I talked about potential players to trade. Well, I listed 5 of them...3 of them have been traded, I feel good about myself for that one.
Tomas Kaberle (as I mentioned earlier)- Obvious, it's been talked about for years, but he won't waive his No-Trade Clause and Burke won't ask him to. However, since making that statement, Kaberle's ice time has decreased: coincidence? He is probably the Leafs biggest asset, he can be the difference between being eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs, and making it to the finals. I would hate to see him go, but the Leafs can get something decent for him, potentially a first-round pick. Perhaps the accquisition of Phaneuf is going to be a factor in getting Tomas to waive his NTC. On Sportsnet, it was said that Tomas Kaberle jerseys are being sold for half-price.
Alexei Ponikarovsky- (As I mentioned earlier)The "Big Pony" has been fairly decent this season. He can be an affective goal scorer as long as he is surrounded by the right line mates. Perhaps he'd look good in Nashville. When Brian Burke stated he was going to try making another trade before the Olympic roster freeze, speculation immediately started that Ponikarovsky was next. Who knows? maybe he is, Burke blew up this team once, let's see if he'll do it again.
Mikhail Grabovski- Well, now we see why Montreal was so eager to get rid of him. However, he does have SOME good qualities...such as...he's fast, that's about it. If you're looking for a passer, or someone who keeps their head up...steer clear of Grabbo. However, he is fast, and he can score sometimes...he'd make a decent third liner on a real team.
Joey MacDonald- Assuming all goes well with Giguere and the Leafs decide to keep him. Joey MacDonald would be a decent goalie for a team looking for a backup (like Anaheim when they see Toskala actually play). He held is own pretty well on a league-worst New York Islanders. I'm not sure Burke's plans with MacDonald for the future, but if it's just to stay in the Marlies, you might as well trade him.
Jeff Finger- Okay now hear me out, I know no one would take on his contract unless the team has JFJ as their GM however, Finger does have some qualities that may make him appealing. He's a big hitter and is known for his open ice hits. He can score from the point on the powerplay. I expect Burke to try dealing him because you can't have an overpaid defenceman sitting on the sidelines.
That's all for now. Enjoy your new-look Leafs Leafs Nation. See you next time!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Blockbuster Deal for the Leafs!!!
After a disappointing Saturday night loss to the Vancouver Canucks, somethign had to be done. Well something was done: Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, and Ian White go to Calgary for Fredrik Sjostrom, Keith Aullie, and Dion Phaneuf!
Sjostrom brings to the Leafs some quality penalty killing, which, let's face it, the Leafs DON'T have. He has 94 points in 404 games.
Keith Aullie is a prospect of the Flames, so again this is Brian Burke giving the Leafs some young talent. Aullie will play a stint with the Marlies and who knows, maybe he will be called up by the Leafs.
The big name: Dion Phaneuf! A lot of people speculate that this trade will be remembered for Dion Phaneuf going one way and Ian White going the other. Phaneuf will give the Leafs some much needed point drives from the back end. Not only that, but lately, because Kessel's the only superstar on this Leafs squad, everyone is going after Kessel; you cover Phil, the team's screwed. Now they have two players to worry about. That's definately a start.
The Leafs now have 3 top 10 draft picks in their lineup: Kessel, Phaneuf, and Schenn. However, Burkie did not stop there, Burke then proceeded to trade Vesa Toskala, and Jason Blake to Anaheim for J.S. Giguere!
The fact that a team not only took Toskala off of our hands, but took on Blake's contract is astounding, the fact we got a Stanley Cup winning goaltender is a bonus!
J.S. Giguere has been struggling in Anaheim, however, Burke and Wilson believe that reuniting Giguere and goaltending coach Francois Allaire will bring Giguere's game back to where it was when the Ducks won the cup.
It's obvious that the Leafs won't make the playoffs this year, but this team is beginning to look like a Burke team. Next year the Leafs definately have potential, if they can sign then-free agent Ilya Kovalchuk, they will be a legitimate playoff-bound club.
My next post will be an updated "to trade" list, as some of my suggestions were taken by Burkie (I assume he read this blog and thought I was right). Until then, sleep well Leafs nation, sleep well.
Sjostrom brings to the Leafs some quality penalty killing, which, let's face it, the Leafs DON'T have. He has 94 points in 404 games.
Keith Aullie is a prospect of the Flames, so again this is Brian Burke giving the Leafs some young talent. Aullie will play a stint with the Marlies and who knows, maybe he will be called up by the Leafs.
The big name: Dion Phaneuf! A lot of people speculate that this trade will be remembered for Dion Phaneuf going one way and Ian White going the other. Phaneuf will give the Leafs some much needed point drives from the back end. Not only that, but lately, because Kessel's the only superstar on this Leafs squad, everyone is going after Kessel; you cover Phil, the team's screwed. Now they have two players to worry about. That's definately a start.
The Leafs now have 3 top 10 draft picks in their lineup: Kessel, Phaneuf, and Schenn. However, Burkie did not stop there, Burke then proceeded to trade Vesa Toskala, and Jason Blake to Anaheim for J.S. Giguere!
The fact that a team not only took Toskala off of our hands, but took on Blake's contract is astounding, the fact we got a Stanley Cup winning goaltender is a bonus!
J.S. Giguere has been struggling in Anaheim, however, Burke and Wilson believe that reuniting Giguere and goaltending coach Francois Allaire will bring Giguere's game back to where it was when the Ducks won the cup.
It's obvious that the Leafs won't make the playoffs this year, but this team is beginning to look like a Burke team. Next year the Leafs definately have potential, if they can sign then-free agent Ilya Kovalchuk, they will be a legitimate playoff-bound club.
My next post will be an updated "to trade" list, as some of my suggestions were taken by Burkie (I assume he read this blog and thought I was right). Until then, sleep well Leafs nation, sleep well.
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