general manager
As the trade deadline looms ever closer, the Ottawa Senators have just completed the second major trade in the last few days, by sending San Jose's 2009 1st round pick acquired from Tampa in the Andrej Mezaros trade along with center Dean McAmmond to the New York Islanders in exchange for center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli. [more…]
While draft picks are high priority in any potential trade talks leading up to the March 4th deadline, Brian Burke is also said to be targeting a group of young but already established NHLers, according to a source.
In a season where everyone either predicted or was warned the Leafs would place bottom 5 in the East, I’m a little surprised the team was booed by the club’s faithful fans in a tilt with the Nashville Predators.
Delving deeper into the hockey world, interacting with players, coaches and organizational personnel, I’ve learned a big lesson.
We’re dealing with people.
Guess what; fans are people, too.
In a season geared more towards the June entry draft than an April playoff berth, and with the World Junior Championships, the annual showcase of young hockey talent, stealing the hockey headlines as of late - at least in Canada, - it's hard not to start dwelling on the possibilities available for the Maple Leafs when June rolls around. There are perhaps more imminent Leaf matters at hand in the form of the changes Brian Burke is expected to execute in the nearer few months, but I think I speak on behalf of all of Leaf Nation when I say last June, the time at which the Leafs welcomed Luke Schenn to the organization, was one of the most exciting and promising moments for the fanbase in recent times. This June will hopefully bring about similar jubilation and promise as Burke adds at least one more prized first-round pick to the fold of the re-building Maple Leafs.
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"Jeff Jackson, General Manager of the Toronto Marlies, announced today that the club has signed defenceman Joe Ryan to a professional try-out contract. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Ryan, 21, is in his first professional season with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. In 20 games this season with the Cyclones, he’s collected seven points (one goal, six assists) and 31 penalty minutes. The 6’1, 204-pound defenceman ranks second (tie) on the club’s defence with six assists."
-Toronto Marlies.com [more…]
Just under a week ago, Burke requested and received permission to speak with the Ducks’ front office advisor Dave Nonis. Wednesday, the Leafs formally presented Nonis with an offer to join the franchise with the same position he held under Brian in Vancouver. Today, Nonis accepted the deal and has joined the Maple Leafs front office.
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Just under a week ago, Burke requested and received permission to speak with the Ducks’ front office advisor Dave Nonis. Wednesday, the Leafs formally presented Nonis with an offer to join the franchise under the same position as he held under Brian in Vancouver.
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Brian Burke requests for permission from Ducks to speak with Nonis about a management position in Toronto.
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The approach entering the '08/'09 campaign from head coach Ron Wilson and general manager Cliff Fletcher is that performance is the primary measuring stick while results in the win/loss columns are only of secondary import. [more…]
The Leafs are looking to put up a strong performance after back to back stable appearances against the defending champs. With a similar roster, it will be interesting to see how Toskala fairs in net behind the crop.
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It wasn’t more than a year ago that head coach Paul Maurice announced his team would make the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup. Players such as Simon Gamache and Tony Salmelainen were recruited from Europe by general manager John Ferguson Jr. and provided solid try outs. Colaiacovo was announced to not be in full form for the season opener, which we later discovered he would not be ready until late December, after arthroscopic knee surgery and an awkward fall in a pre-season practice after attempting a slap shot.
