Dion Phaneuf is Captain!

Yesterday, Ron Wilson named Dion Phaneuf the 17th captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs (22nd in the history of the franchise). Since the news broke, I, personally, have been scowering various sports websites to see different inputs on the new captain. The responses have been on either ends of the fence.

Some people speculate that this move was done in perfect time just after the cup, but just before the draft (where the Leafs won't be drafting until the 3rd round) and therefore this is done as a distraction to forget about the Kessel trade. This is partially true, there has been very little, if any, talk about the Leafs lack of a pick in the first two rounds.The timing of the announcement is a good PR move in terms of "distracting" fans, however to say the whole Phaneuf captaincy is based on that distraction is about as doubtful as Vesa Toskala having a .900 save percentage.

Listening to 102.1 The Edge, Wade Belak was a guest, talking about the Phaneuf captaincy, he said he thinks it's either about justifying the trade to get Phaneuf, or Phaneuf is a kiss-ass. If any trade needs to be justified with a captaincy, make Kessel the captain (although I was for that trade, just not for giving away two first rounders), that is the more controversial trade. I don't think many people had an issue with trading floaters like Stajan and Mayers away (too bad Whitey and Hagman had to go though). About Phaneuf being a kiss-ass: if it makes the team better, then who cares? Ever since the Phaneuf trade the Leafs have had more of a jump in their strides.

Another criticism is the short time Phaneuf has been with the Leafs. Phaneuf has only played 26 games with the Leafs having 2 goals and 8 assists in that span. It doesn't matter how few games you have played with a club, if you're a leader, then you deserve the 'C'.

The bottom line is: there is no one else on this team right now that I would consider a leader. Players like Beauchemin and Komisarek can help guide Phaneuf along the way. I feel Phaneuf will make a great captain and will be with the Leafs for many years to come. The pieces are beginning to fall into place in Burke's plan, now we just have to wait and see how well these pieces will fit together.

The Post-Trade Report

Well it's been over 24 hours since the trade deadline and after tonight's game, one thing is certain: the Leafs have NO offense. Phil Kessel has 21 goals leading the Leafs in goals...2nd most: Kulemin with 11! 11!(I wish you could capitalize numbers so I could emphasize that). I can only assume Burke has some magic up his sleeve during free agency. Or perhaps he's waiting until draft day to deal Kaberle for someone...or a draft pick which we so desperately need.

On tonight's game: the Leafs looked way better than they did against Carolina on Wednesday night. The Leafs got some scoring from their young'uns: Bozak and Stalberg. Caputi also got his first point as a Leaf.

Caputi looks good. I am excited to see him in a couple of years time, he will be a decent 2nd liner I predict.

To end: Burke, we need more offense, I expect an Ilya Kovalchuk contract by July 2nd. Until then, have a good on Leafs Nation!

Trade Deadline!

3:38pm- Leafs acquire a young defenseman from Pittsburgh for a sixth round pick.

3:16pm- Joey MacDonald goes to Anaheim for a 7th round pick. Definately a step up from Vesa Toskala for the Ducks.

3:11pm- 4th and 7th round picks coming to TO for Stempniak.

3:07pm- Stempniak to Phoenix/Hamilton for Draft picks being reported...my prediction is a third and fourth rounder.

3:03pm- Deadline! However, trades are still coming through, will keep posted on the Stempniak trade...and anything else involving the Leafs.

2:57pm- According to Downgoesbrown Stempniak deal is done...no word where or what for.

2:43pm- According to Darren Dreger "Stempniak is going to go."

2:38pm- Darren Dreger is reporting that the Leafs are not done yet.

2:15pm- Burke says something coming within 45 minutes...I sure as hell hope so.

2:10pm- Kypreos reporting that Toskala is on his move once again, this time to Calgary...I guess he won't be able to wash the black and gold out of his equipment.

1:51pm- We're approaching the final stretch, I have a feeling Kabs is going.

1:31pm- AM 640's Jonas Siegel states that Kaberle acknowledged the he will waive his NTC if the right deal comes along.

1:14pm- All's quiet on the Leafs' front still...

12:19pm- Listening to Pony on the Leafs TV live feed online. Classy guy, we'll miss you too Pony, good luck in Pittsburgh!

12:14pm- Reported that Burke has said "with the players we are looking at moving things wont start heating up until 1:30 or 2 pm," let's see what players he's talking about.

11:48- Justin Pogge goes to Carolina for Aaron Ward....interesting trade...apparently Carolina hasn't seen any Leafs games with Pogge from last year.

11:18 am- Leafs get a 5th rounder in 2010 for Skoula...nothing fantastic.

11:00 AM- Martin Skoula to the Devils, no word on who the Leafs are getting back, will update when word is heard.




Well, we're back from the Olympics and the Leafs are back to their losing ways. However, Burke trades Ponikarovsky to Pittsburgh for Luca Caputi and Martin Skoula. Yet another one off my list of potential people to be tarded.

Caputi is a rookie who only has 9 NHL games under his belt, 3 points in those 9 games. The one thing I know about this kid...he has a sick name! But besides that, Burkie is continuing the trend of going younger: Ponikarovsky is 29 years old, Caputi, just 21.

Based on speculations that I have heard, the Leafs might be trading Skoula. The Leafs got Skoula so that the Pens could work out their cap issues. Skoula has 193 points in 757 NHL games. This year with the Pittsburgh Penguins skoula has 8 points (3G, 5A) in 33 games.

If the Leafs decide to keep Skoula, it could mean a guy like Exelby or Finger is heading out: Exelby being in the last year of a contract and Finger being a burden on the cap.

Rumors are also swirling that Burke is aware of teams Kaberle would waive his NTC for, however no official list has been given. The ball STILL is in Kabby's court.

Players I suspect will be traded: Stempniak, Finger, Exelby, Grabovsky and maybe even Primeau. I will try to update today as much as possible as more news breaks.

4 games after the big trade: How are they doing?

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.

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!