Burke Not Done – Odds and Ends

After taking a short pause to catch his breath after the Jonas Gustavsson deal was all sewn up, GM Brian Burke got right back down to business, as the Toronto Star is reporting that he placed calls to six free agent forwards. His top two priorities at the moment include a skilled forward for the top six group, and a versatile player for the bottom six group that will contribute to the team’s penalty kill. Briefly skimming through the list of free agent forwards still available, I’m going to toss out the names PJ Axelsson and Tom Kostopoulous into the already rumored group of Manny Malholtra, Blair Betts and Travis Moen. As a 29 year old, 6’3 210 lb player from Western Canada, Betts was the #1 forward on the league’s #1 PK unit last season for the Rangers.

The Leafs have a tad over $3M left to play with this offseason, and Burke mentioned that he had received a significant offer for one of his defenseman not named Kaberle, in a deal that would involve a forward coming back with a greater salary. So he’s going to have to weigh his options over the next few days, as he prioritizes how to allocate the remaining cap space.

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  • BeLeafer11

    @ Jordan. Nice LOL

  • mcloki

    Paynter. I’d love Kopitar and Schenn, but really, You’re just asking for too much from LA.

  • Tyler

    @Mike you can’t offer Perf bonuses to Afinogenov. You can only offer perf bonuses to players on entry level deals, and players over 35 on one year contracts.

  • Charlie

    @ Paynter

    My guess is Grabovski is going nowhere. Burke must have liked that they settled this without going to arbitration.

    Kaberle, Poni and Finger package should be able to net us two top 6 forwards…. we would be giving them about $10 mil, we’d probably have to take back over that. The question is which team can fit a Kaberle and a Finger without giving back a dman.

  • Schenn

    I’d be willing to take a chance on Afinogenov at about 1.5 million a year.
    Could have the breakthrough season the Sabres have been waiting years for him to have!!

  • burke

    Grabo and Afinogenov at no more then 2years hopefully 1 might have something to it.

  • Jordan

    @Paynter
    I would hope he make a huge splash and tries to get a guy like Thornton, Marleau or Vinny. After that I would leave the roster be. Having one top line center like Vinny would be awesome to build around, and after this year of developing, I would guess we would become serious contenders next year. Its a dream yes, but I had a feeling before the summer he might target Vinny. We are basically the only team that COULD take him, with his 7.7 mil cap hit, and 10 mil salary. If it comes down to money, I think MLSE OWESSSSSS us fans to spend it, after allllll these years of non winning while they were getting rich. I say have at it and try to get it done. Imagine a top 6 of this in 1-2 years:

    Tlusty-Vinny-Kadri
    Kulemin-Grabo-Hagman
    STILL with Bozak, Hanson, Stalberg, and any other prospect we draft!
    Would be SICK!

  • Paynter Graham

    Yes Kopitar and Schenn would be a lot to ask – the Leafs would have to offer them a great package, which is a possibility – LA wants to make the playoffs this year it has been said.
    Really don’t see the Leafs even considering Max Afinogenov – he’s shown nothing the last few years – and really is not Burke’s type of forward IMO. Besides we have enough forwards – unless it is a”top six.”
    The Leafs, I believe, are set in goal with Toskala bouncing back big time, and the wonderful addition of Gustavsson.
    The “D” looks very capable this year – but obviously a little overcrowded. I am a Jeff Finger fan, but would say he is the most likely one to be dealt – in a package deal of course. This guy is a decent player and could help many teams – especially those with cap space.
    Two things I can see Burke dealing for – an elite forward and a young prospect on defence. Our cupboard is pretty bare in the minors – amd need a prospect with lots of potential – a Petrecki, Myers, Larson, Teubert, etc.
    But can Burke find a trading partner that will give up a star forward plus a prospect on defence, that is the question? I think he might! We still have lots of assets!
    Thornton and Petrecki for Kaberle, Grabovski and Stempniak? Acceptable? If not, what? Perhaps San Jose doesn’t need Kaberle, then perhaps one turns to Phoenix or Dallas? We should be able to help them out!
    Think Burke woill honour Kaberle’s request to stay in the East?

  • lonsmos

    what about signing Tanguay? Good size, 6ft 1, almost a point a game during his career, always a plus player, lots to prove after year in Montreal, good speed, maybe at similar deal to Rangers signing of Ales kotalik, 3 years at 3 mill per. If so maybe we can find a taker for Stepniuk who is making similar money.
    We could then trade a couple of D for another top forward or prospects, and keep Kaberle until the trade deadline and get more for him I’ll bet. Give the current crop of forwards a chance to see what they can do.
    Even with the no trade I’ll bet he would waive it as he was willing to do last year.

  • Jordan

    I dont really wanna give up Grabovski in any trade right now I dont think. If it brought in Thornton maybe, but I would think hard about that

  • AussieLeaf

    St. Louis would be a dancing partner with the Leafs on Kaberle. I hear its about Berglund and their 1st or 2nd pick for Kaberle. Chicago need Cap relief and the name out there is Patrick Sharpe. They will have interest in Ian White, a prospect like Tulisty and a high draft Pick (like the St. Louis pick) to get Sharpe.

  • Jordan

    Berglund>Sharp anyday. Hes gonna be awesome

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