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.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
If he can trade Van Ryn for someone making half his paycheck, we’d have enough to offer Kessel something nice while grabbing another talented prospect for cheaper if we decide to ship off Kaberle as well.
I’d also like to take a second to honour Joe Sakic on a great career. Class act on and off the ice as well as the true definition of a leader. You will be missed.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Blair Betts and the penalty kill specialist Jamaal Mayers, wow what a combo lol.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I think I heard Anthony Stewart was the other one. Could be wrong about that though.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
If we are looking top 6 who is left?
Alex Tanguay?
Jason Williams?
Mats Sundin?
July 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Sportsnet just announced (on TV at least) that we signed Wallin.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/07/09/leafs_wallin/
July 9th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Nice!
new topic
July 9th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
awesome!
July 9th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I wonder how much?
I’m guessin 800,000-900,000
July 9th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
wallin will be nothing special……..only here to help get Gustavsson to sign. I’m sure he was part of the deal. Not everyone can make the transition from Europe to NorthAmerican hockey. Wallin has proved he cannot.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
BURKE IS A MACHINE !!!!
July 9th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I like this signing, give up nothing hope for the best and if it doesn’t work out, oh well nothing gained, nothing lost! If it does Burke looks like a genius.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
im just wondering how much cap space we have left. it says here 3 million but im thinking we may have a little more than that, like 6 million or so ? im just wondering
July 9th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I think it depends on who makes the team for the cap space
July 9th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hey Wade Belak there’s a reason you’re a fighter and not a GM – you have no clue what you’re talking about!
July 9th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
ps not saying he WILL be anything special, but this is not related to Gustavsson and you clearly know nothing about this guy except that he used to in the NHL years ago. He will be AS ADVERTISED – a solid 3rd line, character guy who is a PK specialist
July 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
also, i don’t know why people are saying he failed in the NHL before – did he not have 9pts in 15 games? AND this was in old system where players like him were getting clutched and grabbed like hell. further, he just captained a championship team in the SEL. so…maybe he could be a really pleasant surprise? who knows.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
@ belak: i wouldn’t say wallin has proved he can’t play in the NHL. he had 6 goals and 4 assists in 19 games with the wild. during the lockout he played in the AHL, but went back to sweden after, likely because his contract expired with the wild and he may have just decided to go back home. who knows? either way, he may not be a top-6 guy, but he looks like a 3rd-line guy who can probably fill in on the 2nd line when needed and score a few goals. if he helps on the PK, then that’s fantastic, because the leafs’ PK needs a lot of work.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
@bansebe….You just said it in your opening” not saying he will be anything special”…….he won’t be. If you think this has or had no bearing on Gustavsson coming here, you’re clearly delusional. I guess we’ll see who has a clue in the next coming months won’t we.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
To be honest, other then the Gilroy signing(but I wouldnt want him to be a oneway like he is, and I would have rathered what we have now anyways) I cant think of anything that didnt go right so far lol. I loving this shit!
July 9th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
@ W Belak. Dude, Burke has been chasing Gustavsson for months, and signed him on Sunday basically. Wallin agreed today – how does it make sense that he influenced Gustavsson’s signing? If anything it was the other way around. My point is no one expects this guy to come over and be some superstar; he’s coming here to play a bottom 6 role. You wrote that Wallin has proved he cannot make the transition to the NHL; I disagree entirely. That is not to say that I expect him to be a star, but he will be good in the NHL in a 3rd/4th line role.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
@ W Belak – read what brokensilence wrote, and like he says “who knows?” why Wallin left the NHL and didn’t return. What we do know is he has been very successful in the SEL and has won a championship as a Captain and points leader for Farjestad.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
What about Max Afinogenov? I know he had a rough season last year with Buffalo, but just look at youtube to see the highlight reel goals this guy can score. If I was burkie, I would make him an offer of 1.5 million, plus performance bonuses. What do you guys think?
July 9th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Thing about Afinogenov is, he skates Like Pavel Bure, Shoots like Pavel Bure, handles the puck like Pavel Bure, but scores like Valeri Bure lol. He always had potention but not enough drive to actually finsh. I don’t think he would be a good option but I would guess Gainey?
July 9th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Okay the Leafs have about 15 NHL type forwards and 11 d-men at their disposal. Do they sit tight and let the guys battle it out for the top 12 forwards and top seven d-men – or they go for the “gusto” and make a major trade for a top forward – a “top six” centre?
I’m thinking that Brian Burke (being Brian Burke) is going to make a major trade and go for the gusto – whether right or wrong – and make a 4-for1 deal, or somewhat along those lines.
What could, say, Kaberle, Grabovski, Poni and Finger as a package bring? Kopitar? B. Schenn? Lecavilier? Thornton? Mueller? J. Staal? Berglund? Nash? Neal? Burns and Miko Koivu?
The possibilities are endless. Makes you wonder though when Burke keeps signing players and more players. I say “sit tight” but have mixed feelings – and don’t think this is going to happen – I expect a major deal involving Kaberle, Grabovski and Finger. Just my gut feeling!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
@ Jordan. Nice LOL
July 9th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Paynter. I’d love Kopitar and Schenn, but really, You’re just asking for too much from LA.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
@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.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
@ 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.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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!!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Grabo and Afinogenov at no more then 2years hopefully 1 might have something to it.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:59 am
@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!
July 10th, 2009 at 9:59 am
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?
July 10th, 2009 at 11:53 am
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.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
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
July 10th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
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.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Berglund>Sharp anyday. Hes gonna be awesome