Churn, Churn, Churn: An Update on the Plan
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.
Brian Burke has opened up a chemistry lab; you better believe he’ll be looking at team chemistry very carefully for the rest of this year. In this post, I do a kind of preliminary update on the article I wrote for the Maple Leafs Annual last summer about Brian Burke and the Maple Leafs’ rebuild.
Does the Phaneuf Trade Suggest the End Is Near for Tomas Kaberle?
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?
Burke on new acquistions
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 [...]
Maple Leafs Trade Vesa Toskala & Jason Blake To Ducks For J-S Giguere
The Maple Leafs have traded G Vesa Toskala and F Jason Blake to the Ducks for G Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
Leafs acquire Phaneuf, Sjostrom, Aulie
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.
“Major Changes” – Dreger
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 [...]
Pregame Roundup: Leafs-Canucks
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 [...]
Kaberle Key To Improved Goaltending
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.
Leafs/Devils: Post-Game – We Needed Wallin!
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?
Leafs Practice, News and Notes
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.