Languages of Europe
Trade rumours are flying rampant around Leafs Nation, some centered around specific Leafs' players, some centered around specific players on other teams, and some centered around the idea of salary dumps.
Rather than speculating the rumour mill this morning, let's take a little break from that and have some fun with this instead.  Let's play "GM For A Day".
Some quick rumour updates entering the final stretch before the free agent spending spree begins.
With only one day remaining before the draft, the NHL rumour mill is of course running rampant.
Here is an update on the latest "non-source" chatter I've been hearing regarding draft moves, trade possibilities, and free agent speculation as it may or may not pertain to our boys in blue.
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Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke, per the Toronto Star:
"We intend to be pushing the cap every year. We want to spend the money intelligently. We're Big Blue, we're going to spend to the cap."
Now, your initial reaction to that is probably one of surprise, given Burke's previous statements about a potential cap decline.   Does that mean his statement today runs counter to the theory of a rebuilding effort?    Not at all.
It's official:Â the trade deadline has come and gone ... not with a bang but a whimper.
Aside from the agonizingly slow pace throughout most of the day, some fascinating moves (and non-moves) took place, for both the Maple Leafs and the league as a whole.
Here are my thoughts, in the aftermath of Deadline Day:
 Ten questions to ponder while you prepare for the Leafs - Thrashers tilt tonight:
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Random thoughts and opinions from (roughly) the halfway point of the season:
* Glad to see the mustache is back in style.  In fact, when I was younger I grew a goatee just because everyone else was doing the 'stache. Then the '93 Canadiens all grew goatees during their Cup run, and it became a social mainstay.  Yes, folks, it's true: my hatred of the Habs has nothing to do with the Leafs, and everything to do with facial hair.
Just thought I'd share a little something I read on Hockeybuzz:
"Finally, I have something in common with Richard Peddie.
It has nothing to do with salary, or responsibility at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, as King Richard would never threaten his own job security by placing me in charge of hiring the next GM of the Leafs. Richard and I, however, are the disconsolate subjects of websites aimed solely at our demise. Yes, a helpful e-mailer sent me an attachment this evening – “firehowardberger.com†has joined cyberspace alongside the more entrenched “firerichardpeddie.com.†And, you thought Peddie was in a class by himself.
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