Maple Leafs Trade Possibilities

With the acquisition of Colby Armstrong, and Kris Versteeg, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be only a few players away from a serious, young, playoff team. I believe with a few more smart moves the Buds can have a nice combination of size, skill, veteran presence, and grit, to help take these young kids to the next level. Here is what I think Toronto should do to help this team win.

Bury Jeff Finger Salary in the Minors

(Frees up $3.5 million in Cap Space)

If your not going to play him to up his trade value, and you don't want to pay him $3.5 million to be a healthy scratch, they need to designate him to the minors to avoid his cap hit, and free up some space for some more forwards.

Sign Maxim Afinogenov

(Ballpark 1 or 2 year at $2 to 2.5 million)

After somewhat losing his offence prowess that shone early in his career in Buffalo, Afinogenov has regained his form during his first season with the Atlanta Thrashers. The 6'', 190 pound Russian, hit the 20-goal mark this season for the fourth time in his career, and first since the ’06-07 campaign. He played in all 82 games for the first time in hist 10 year NHL career, and ranked second on the team with 61 points. Afinogenov also represented Team Russia during the 2010 Olympics, collecting 2 points in four games. The 30 year old right winger would be a veteran presence on the Maple Leafs and a great fit on the second line, with Nikoli Kulemin and Tyler Bozak.

Trade Tomas Kaberle and Mikhail Grabovski to the Florida Panthers for Stephen Weiss and a 3rd round Pick

(Frees $3.8 million in Cap Space)

Simple. The Leafs need a solid number one centre. The Florida Panthers need a veteran puck moving defenceman to setup Bryan McCabe on the powerplay. This is more than plausible, as new Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon, has already dealt Nathan Horton, and has expressed interest in not only movingWeiss, but reuniting former Leafs teammates Bryan Mccabe and Tomas Kaberle. This is also more likely because Mr. Kaberle is probably going to stay in the Eastern Conference. Mikhail Grabovski would also be part of the deal as the Leafs are steady at Centre position with the acquisition of Weiss, to compliment Bozak, Kadri, and either Christian Hanson or John Mitchell. Grabovski could use a change of scenery, and the rebuilding Panthers might be interested in someone with his speed, and puck handling abilities.

Acquire Sheldon Souray off Waivers from the Edmonton Oilers

($2.7 million Cap Hit)

With Kaberle gone, the Maple Leafs will need a veteran defenceman to fill the void. With Edmonton paying half of his salary next season, and Keith Aulie and Phil Oreskovic in the minors, why not take the $2.7 million dollar bargain, and see if he reagin his form in the blue and white? In 2006-2007 with Montreal, Souray put up 64 points, and in 2008-2009 with Edmonton he put up 53 points playing 81 games in both those seasons. But those two seasons in between, he has been plagued by shoulder injuries, but if the Leafs can keep him healthy, he would be a great addition to the organization.

So that would leave the Leafs Roster looking something like this:

Versteeg -Weiss- Kessel
Kulemin-Bozak- Afinogenov
Sjostrom- Kadri- Armstrong
Caputi -Hanson/Mitchell- Orr

Souray-Phaneuf

Beauchemin-Komisarek

Shenn- Gunnarsson

I'd say that's a playoff team wouldn't you? It also leaves the Leafs with roughly $11 million in Cap space to do what they wish. Other viable options I believe are: Veteran Winger Paul Kariya, Young Forward Aleander Frolov, or possibly even Dustin Brown if Burke's Really on his game. Darkhorse: Mike Madano. Stay Tuned Leafs Nation.