Alec Brownscombe
The feeling as the Leafs embark on this year's unrestricted free agency period is that Brian Burke is not enamored with the '09 free agent class and will neither overpay in salary or term. It appears Burke's focused on acquiring his high-end talent through trade. In regards to the long-rumoured Mike Cammalleri signing, the word right now is that he's not on the radar although this is certainly subject to change should circumstances change. More likely, if Burke can move Kaberle and/or Kubina and sign Jonas Gustavsson, the approach will be to strengthen from the goal out and thus most money will be allotted to high-end D rather than forwards at this time.
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After all the hype surrounding a potential trade up proved for naught, Brian Burke went with a surprise pick in centerman Nazem Kadri at #7. The fact of the matter is that first-rounders are as cherished as ever and Burke was going to have to overpay to make anything happen in the top 5.
Was it fair to expect Burke to pull off something magical tonight? No, but it's his own fault if he gets flamed for what happened or rather what didn't. His uninhibited self-promotion these last few months set the expectations high and he came up empty. Nazem Kadri deserves his fair shake and for all intents and purposes seems a promising top 6 prospect. But it's time for a little more action and a little less talk on Burke's part, or at least a lot less talk if there isn't going to be more action.
Player Profile:
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'5
Weight: 218 lbs
Birthdate: 1991-01-25
Player Profile
Position: D
Shoots: Left
Height: 6'1
Weight: 183 lbs
Birthdate: 1990-10-29
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Thanks a lot to Mr. Morrison for taking the time out of a busy schedule to answer a few questions.
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Submit your questions for the Leafs' Director of Amateur Scouting in the comments thread and I'll ask a few of my choosing in an interview [more…]
The latest from a source: some insight about potential candidates if Burke winds up stuck at the 7-spot, potential trading partners and Burke's interest in two top 15 picks if his quest to trade up fails.
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Player Profile
The latest from a trusted source:
"Burke may have been playing possum in order to move up to get Duchene when he was saying he wanted Tavares but no one is indulging him....
HAHAHA Ok let's try to be serious here. HAHA sorry i'm trying really hard. It is rumoured that The Sedins are looking for a contract in the neighbourhood of... ready for this... $128 Million for the pair. HAHAHA sorry i just can't stop laughing about this. So let's do the math, that would work out to $5.33 million each per year, not bad right? But for 12 YEARS?
I realize they are twins. I get that they are really good players. But do they share a brain?
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I'll be answering a question or two every few days to fill time and space while we wait for the dog days of another playoff-less spring to wane away. It should also give each topic it's due deliberation as opposed to throwing a series of topics at you guys at once. Today's topic: The UFA-eligible Jeremy Williams.
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The Toronto Rumour Mill is buzzing today with word of the Leafs and Bolts in talks for the 2nd overall pick in this years NHL Entry Draft.
Hockey Night In Canada's Elliotte Friedman broke the worst kept secret in the NHL, leading up to this years draft, that the Leafs were rumoured to be talking to the Tampa Bay Lightning about getting their #2 Overall pick.
