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The Latest Leafs Scuttlebutt

by on December 15, 2008 in Uncategorized - 20 Comments

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Just received an update from a source. Nothing concrete, as pretty much all rumours concerning Brian Burke‘s potential moves are speculative at this point. However, a few interesting tidbits were mentioned.

Gus Katsaros attended the Marlie game on Sunday and reports that there were many-a-scout (primarily Western) in the stands likely taking a peak at Anton Stralman. I contacted my source about it, who suggested that Stralman is certainly available for the right price as the feeling is that his development is not as evident at this point as originally anticipated.

He also added that the only players secure on the current roster are Luke Schenn, Nik Hagman, Nik Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, and that we may well see a few players moved that we thought were safe.

Justin Pogge will be recalled fairly soon to test his mettle at the NHL level. Burke wants to see exactly where he stands in terms of a goaltender if he opts to move Vesa Toskala, a possibility, I’m told, that is more real than most of us think.

There is a very widespread interest in Tomas Kaberle… the Flames, Oilers, Wings, Ducks, Pens as well as the Flyers are speculated to be potential suitors should Kaberle waive his NTC. A smooth skating puck-moving defenseman is always in demand in this day and age.

A few teams have also been speculated on the Nik Antropov front (Capitals, Bruins, Wild, Panthers).

That’s what’s out there at the moment. Should be a very interesting few months ahead.

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  • vesku35

    Thanks for the update

    The futures of so many players are up in the air. Its difficult to cheer night in night out when you know Burkes going to gut this thing. I guess you just hope for those secure players to succeed

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  • Burn

    Nice post!! These are exciting times for us fans, waiting for Burke to start making some moves to shape the future of this team!!

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  • PeterMorrow
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  • vesku35

    Peter, I bet just about anybody would take Kaberle on for a Cup run.

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  • vesku35

    I agree though, Flames or Flyers seem most likely of that list, it’s all speculation though

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  • Garrett Bauman

    @Peter:

    The Pens are a much more real possibility than you may think.

    Sergei Gonchar has yet to play, nobody knows for sure when he will play, and nobody knows how much the injury/recovery process will affect his play once he is back. And when Gonchar gets back, will he be able to handle top minutes, having not played? Especially if the shoulder is still weak … the physical side of the game (giving/taking hits) is always a major concern when a shoulder is involved.

    Further, Boucher is a nice vet to have on the team, but he doesn’t exactly light it up offensively the way a Kaberle or a (healthy) Gonchar/Whitney can.

    Now, I’m not saying that it will happen …but if it does, it will only be because Gonchar is no longer in the plans for next season. Which is a very real possibility, at $5mil. I suspect that if the Pens make a move for Kaberle, Gonchar will be dealt in the offseason.

    All that said, I think Calgary is a good fit if the cap numbers can somehow be made to work (Cammalleri?). Anaheim too, as (a) Burke could go get some of his own guys in return, and (b) the Ducks need a long-term replacement for Neidermayer.

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  • voodoo_band

    The Calgary rumor was on Hockeybuzz.com last week and on Hockeyleaks.com…….Cammalleri’s name was brought up. And as for the players not safe- i think VanRyn would be a great vet presences….and he’s potentially a great second pp qb….unless we get J.Bo

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  • admin

    I don’t see why VR needs to be moved personally, yet his name pops up in rumour circles. I can’t see a return out that’s worthwhile considering he’s been the Leafs’ best all-around defender this season (when healthy) in my opinion, although Jeff Finger deserves an honourable mention. He obviously wasn’t a part of the losing culture of the past few years as he was in Florida and his cap figure is very reasonable. I hope they hold onto him.

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  • chuck knuckles

    enough with the Pen BS people get real.

    they have GOLIGOSKI, LETANG and BOUCHER, and WHITNEY will be back in no time. They don’t and will not need an defense man. They just don’t. Figure it out.

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  • Scot Loucks

    Chuck Knuckles… Yes the Pens are doing fine without Whitney and Gonchar….. but as noted above…. nobody knows when Gonchar will be back and just what kind of shape he will be in.

    Kaberle is a great option for them and although they would probably have to give up Staal they would be in a position to move Gonchar, Whitney or Kaberle during the off season. Potentially recouping their loss in the trade for Kaberle.

    That was has been out there for a long time and I don’t see it going away.

    Both the Habs and Sens should be added to the list as well.

    My thoughts on the Habs (after being force fed all their games for the past two months based on choice of living accommodations …. is that they could use Kubina. They need a big shot from the point and Markov isn’t it. Neither is Kovalev.

    The Sens could use at least half of the Leaf defense….. but is Vermette worth it? I don’t think so.

    Van Ryn is not going anywhere and I doubt Finger is either. They bring tough and smart to the equation and other than Kubina and Kaberle… all the rest of the Leaf D is under 30.

    Cheers

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  • THE KING

    Who needs goaltending and who is interested in Toskala Alec? What sort of return could we expect?

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  • Chuck Knuckles

    The Pens aren’t going to give up a bunch of assets to replace Gonchar and Whitney. Gonchar is back before the playoffs begin.

    No team will take a chance on Toskala because no one needs a goaltender. If there is a market, expect nothing more than a 2nd round pick.

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  • Max

    We MUST move Antropov this year. His contract is affordable, which may peak the interest of several teams, and I strongly believed he has peaked. Antropov is proving to be an adequate first-liner, but would be a great addition to the second line of any playoff contender. He is just too slow to build a team around and should bring back a decent return, so therefore he is expendable this season.

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  • Roacho

    All I have to say is that I like that most believe the Flyers and Flames are the most likely destinations, because their 1st overall pick will likely be closer to 14th overall than 30th overall. If a deal for Kabs ressembles anything like the one that Kabs himself negated last year, I’ll be jumping for joy. I think there’s no question that he’ll waive the NTC in order to have a say in where he’s going.
    Although it’s early to speculate, there are many riches to take from those two teams, more so Philly IMO

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  • voodoo_band

    Trade Idea :

    Tor -

    Cammalleri, JVR + 1st (09), 2nd (09)

    Cgy –

    Kaberle, Antropov + 1st (10)

    I think this is reasonable for booth teams.

    TO gets a top 6 fwd w/speed and control, plus a tough and nails dman (great pairing for Schenn)

    CGY get a power forward with size and a puck moving and pp qb dman, where they’ve been lacking.

    I really don’t think PHI won’t give up alot for him, especially not Carter, prob try to dumb Briere as salary.

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  • voodoo_band

    * dump Briere for salary.

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  • http://www.goosepuck.blogspot.com leafs rumours

    well the whole thing is so amazing.

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