Let’s get one thing straight: this year is a write-off. The rest of the games scheduled for the Maple Leafs are not happening, at least not in any meaningful sense. Instead, the events you will be watching on your large-screen TVs over the course of twenty-six evenings littered throughout the next two and a half months are best considered nought but a demonstration or experiment of sorts.
On the heels of the Leafs’ much-heralded acquisition of All-Star defenseman Dion Phaneuf, a significant question has arisen within Leafs Nation:
What impact does this trade have on the future of Tomas Kaberle?
Prospect defenceman Keith Aulie:
“Aulie is a 6’6 defenceman playing for Abbotsford of the AHL. Our plans for Keith are for him to stay at the AHL level for the present, so he will report to the Marlies. This is a player who played on the national junior team and won a gold medal. Excellent skater for a big man, a guy we coveted and hard to work real hard to get into the deal. We think he’s going to be a really good NHL player down the road for a long time. We think right now, like Calgary did, that from a development standpoint, he’ll be better off logging big minutes in the American league.
The Maple Leafs have traded G Vesa Toskala and F Jason Blake to the Ducks for G Jean-Sebastien Giguere. +Continue Reading
To Toronto: Keith Aulie, Dion Phaneuf, Frederick Sjostrom
To Calgary: Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, Ian White
A second trade is expected to be announced shortly, involving J-S Giguere.
Discuss.
Looks like last nights debacle collapse has been a catalyst as Darren Dreger of TSN reports that “Major Changes coming today for the Toronto Maple Leafs”. Dreger wonders if the Hiller extension could have something to do with it.
This much we know: The team is bad as it’s currently composed with just a few pieces to a complex puzzle with only one major component. Keep an eye on MLHS and TSN today for updates when and if these changes occur.
What’s your speculation? Is it a Kovalchuk deal? I say no. Could it be the long talked about cap space for draft pick rumor? Something no one has mentioned yet? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
Tonight the ACC is host to a special pregame event: Canadian Forces Appreciation Night, to honour of the thousands of men and women who serve in the Canadian military. The event is said to feature members of the military rappelling from the rafters, a visit from the Chief of the Defense Staff, and a guest appearance by singer Alan Frew (formerly of Glass Tiger).
Oh, and there’s a hockey game, too.
TORONTO — Leafs general manager, Brian Burke, has repeatedly stated he will not ask Tomas Kaberle to waive his NTC. This situation, however, could be key to shoring up the goaltending the Leafs need.
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Let’s be honest, how many of you had either fallen asleep or changed the channel when your Leafs tied it up tonight? In a comeback devoid of any explosiveness, Toronto teased you with the possibility of an overtime victory. Hah! Should have known better, eh?
The Leafs took to the ice today in preparation for Martin Brodeur tomorrow night. It featured some interesting one on one drills for a few key players, and one defenceman who claims the future of his career and the Maple Leafs would be better suited if he were traded.
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