2011-2012 Season Preview: Waiting to Exhale

In 36 days the Leafs and Canadiens will kickoff their respective seasons against each other at the Air Canada Centre. While the Canadiens are coming off a couple of respectable playoff appearances, the Leafs will be desperately be trying to get in to hockey’s post-season for the first time in six seasons.

The Leafs ended the season last year on 24-15-7 run, good enough for 55 points in 46 games. James Reimer was a big reason for this success and after signing an extension over the summer; the Leafs brass will be expecting big things.

As much as the Leafs did have some success in the second-half of last season; there were clearly glaring problems with the team that had to be addressed at seasons end, and the list was not a short one.

The Maple Leafs special teams play last season was abysmal at best.

Their power play only scored 52 times for a 16% success rate, which was good for 22^nd in the NHL.

Their Penalty kill was worse.

Toronto’s 77.4% success rate playing shorthanded ranked 28^th in the league, and allowed 62 goals, good for fourth worst.

Even 5-on-5 play wasn’t a strong point for the Leafs club last season, finishing 24^th in goals against, and 22^nd in +/- at -22, and finished 23^rd in goals-for-per-game.

A big sore spot last year for this team was falling behind in the first period, being outscored 80-61 in the opening frame.

With all of that said, the Leafs have made some smart acquisitions this summer to help plug these leaks. While they have taken risks I believe that they are indeed smart risks and will help the team.

Tim Connolly

Tim Connolly still put up 42 points last year in an off year. He has a history of injury but this is a smart risk for Burke to take. He’s a legitimate threat on the ice and his playmaking skills are phenomenal. If he can stay healthy he could not only push Kessel to break the 40 goal mark, but also put up 50-60 points of his own. He’s no Mats Sundin but he’s the most skilled Center the Leafs have put in their lineup in a long time.

Connolly’s work on the power play AND penalty-kill should help elevate the team in both of those areas. He is one of the better defensive forwards in the league and his passing on the power play will be very welcome for Phil Kessel and Co.

      

Matthew Lombardi

Although it is unknown when Matthew Lombardi will suit up and play his first game as a Leaf, the acquisition of this forward was a great decision by Burke. His health is a question mark but two years ago in Phoenix, Lombardi put up 53 points.  A great two-way player with some offensive upside will definite jump start the Leafs bottom-six if he can remain healthy upon his return.

Cody Franson

Another great pick-up for Burke in the Nashville trade was young defenceman Cody Franson. The 24 year-old B.C. native has increased his point total from 21 to 29 in his first two seasons in the NHL. This is better production than Luke Schenn while playing less ice time. He will give the Leafs another option on the power play as well as the penalty kill. Franson is a career +25, which will also help the Leafs tremendously on the back end 5-on-5.

John Michael-Liles

John Michael-Liles will give the Leafs another top-4 defenceman, and his shot and power play prowess will be especially welcome. Liles put up 46 points last year and in the right situation on the power play he could easily break 50. He will likely be the shot on the second power play unit behind Phaneuf, which will give the Leafs two viable threats with the man-advantage. The 30 year old will also bring some experience to a young leafs squad trying to figure out how to win.

Expect coach Ron Wilson to be on the hot seat from the start of the season. He’s missed the playoffs in his first three seasons and while one could argue that he has not had much to work with, his dismal special teams play hasn’t helped his case. This is also coupled with both his assistant coaches, Keith Acton and Dale Hunter being fired. You can expect Wilson to be let go if the Leafs find themselves out of it early on in the season.

There are still a few questions and concerns for this roster heading in to the start of training camp.

Although Connolly and Lombardi were good acquisitions, their health still remains a cause for concern.

Tim Connolly has missed 190 games since the lockout. Although obviously this is out of his control he has still shown to be very injury prone. A good sign however, was that he played in 68 games last year, the most he’s played since 2002 and he looks to be regaining his form. A fresh start in a new city might also help Connolly regain his form.

Matthew Lombardi played only two games last year, having his season ended prematurely due to a concussion. Head injuries are always very hard to gauge in terms of a return but it’s reported that Lombardi is on track to play this year, but his health is still a liability.  If he can return with no lingering effects you can expect him to put up at least 40 points while throwing in some grit and fine defensive play.

Jonas Gustavsson is also coming of another season that saw more heart problems. It is unknown whether or not the condition will remain or not. The Leafs will obviously not push him hard but if he can get over it he stands a good chance of helping his team this season.

Goaltending is still a bit of a question mark for this team, as the Leafs brass will be hoping that sophomore James Reimer will be able to continue his good run from last year. Granted Reimer and his numbers were good down the stretch and he gave them a shot at the playoffs, but it’s still a different to start the season as a NHL starter. There is lots of pressure on him, and although he looked to be handling it very well last year, he’s still young. 

Jonas Gustavsson will be looking to rebound from a rough season last year, which saw him post a 6-13-2 record and a 3.29 GAA . He will be right there to battle for the number one spot alongside Reimer.

Although losing veteran Jean-Sebastian Gigeure and his experience, a battle for number one goalies might help push this team to the next level.

It took 93 points to get in to the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, which Toronto missed by 8 points. So even if you raise that bar to 96 points the Leafs still only need to secure one more win per month to reach that. Based on their second-half last season, combined with the acquisition that have been made, I’d say this roster is more than capable of making the playoffs. As long as Reimer can string together a decent season along with Gustavsson, and everyone can stay healthy for the most part.

The Leafs have definitely improved their roster from opening night 2010, and also from the end of last season. Looking at the Leafs 18-9-6 record to end last year, as well as the changes they’ve made to their roster, the 2011-2012 season is promising to be an exciting one for Leafs fans everywhere.  The Maple Leafs and their fans should taste the post-season for the first time since the lockout. When you’re building a winner you have to start somewhere.

Stay tuned Leafs Nation.

Leafs Season in the Balance

After a heart breaking loss to the Penguins last night, the puck will drop for one of the biggest games of the Leafs season in less than an hour. If the Leafs can get a win in Atlanta, they will be only 3 points back for the last playoff spot. If they lose they make themselves a mountain to climb to get in, especially with Buffalo playing very well lately.

Although they lost the game, the Leafs played very well and looked like a team for the first time in a long time. The offence for this team is finally finding it's legs, netting 12 goals in their last three games.

Phil Kessel is coming out from his shell with 7 points in his last three games, and Lupul scored his first two goals as a leaf on Saturday night.

Reimer is playing way over his head for a kid his age, and Dion Phaneuf is also looking like he's finally getting comfortable, and being the leader they need him to be.

The biggest worry when Kaberle left was the teams powerplay, but it's on a roll even without the veteran d-man, with 5 pp goals in the last two games.

So as the Leafs roll into Georgia this Afternoon, their season is basically on the line. Let's see how they handle the pressure. Stay tuned Leafs nation.....

The New Blue Landscape

Brian Burke has taken a step backwards in terms of direction.

"We have never changed our plan," Burke said at a recent press conference, but his actions would say otherwise.

Francois Beauchemin and Kris Versteeg were part of this plan 8 months ago and now their wearing other teams uniforms.

Burke was touting the Versteeg deal his the biggest deal of the summer. He paid the premium of three prospects to get him as you would do if you coveted a player as essential. But he didn't even finish one season and was traded him to the Flyers for two draft picks.

Francois Beauchemin was also supposed to be the part of the master plan. The Leafs signed him in the off-season for depth at their blueline because Burke was certain he was going to trade Kaberle when his no-trade clause was on hiatus last summer. Now he's wearing a Ducks jersey.

Although the return on Beauchemin was a fairly decent one in Lupul and Gardiner, the Leafs now look further away from the playoffs then they did at the start of the season, as they are now collecting draft picks and prospects.

Kaberle.

The second ranked player in the Leafs history for career points by a defenceman was traded to Boston for Joe Colborne and a couple draft picks. Kaberle wanted an extension and wanted to finish his career in Toronto. in his 12 season with the blue and white, Kaberle only played less than 69 games 3 times including 6 seasons of not missing a single game. Reliable, consistent, a veteran presence, and not prone to injury, I will never understand why Burke was so adament about trading Kaberle. Class act, and was the only leaf remaining to play a playoff game for the franchise (whenever that was).


Joe Colborne is a solid prospect but he's not a sure thing. The former University of Denver Pioneer has his size, 6'5 216 lbs., and his soft hands as his biggest assets, but he still hasn't played a single game in the NHL. In fact he's only played 6 games in the AHL with Boston's minor league team, Providence. Burke is taking a gamble here by giving up a sure thing for an unproven player.

This hasn't worked out well for the Leafs in the past, even if they have gotten two more first round draft picks, only roughly 30% of first round draft picks traditionally make it in the NHL, and the picks are well into the latter half of the first round. It looks like Burke is deciding his first way didn't work and now he's going to try to build through the draft. But he'll never say that, which irks me that he still says his plans haven't changed.

He's traded 3 veterans for four draft picks and a prospect, and unless Burke's going to pull off another blockbuster trade before the season ends, the Leafs will still be missing a legitimate set-up man for Kessel, as they have all season.

While the media are saying that the Leafs are going to take a run at highly touted Brad Richards in July, that's going to be easier said then done. Why would Richards give up an opportunity to play on a serious contender to come to the Leafs who are nowhere near that status? I'm not saying it's impossible but why not go back to Tampa? Why not got to L.A or Detroit? If they leafs are putting all their chips on the table for Richards, they're waiting on disappointment, and taking a huge risk of yet again not having any offence going into next season.

Another player the Leafs should be looking at in the upcoming free agent season is Colorado centre Tomas Fleischmann. He was traded from Washington to Colorado earlier this year and has done well with a change of scenery. In 22 games with the Avalanche he has collected 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points. The Leafs need this type of consistency in their lineup. Fleischmann's salary? A third of Richards, at $2.6 million.

The Leafs could also use that extra money to sign a few more role players, or even take a stab at the Sabres Tim Connelly. With Connelly, Fleischmann, Grabovski, Bozak, and Kadri filling out the roster, they're would be some desperately needed competition up the middle for the Leafs.

Word is Burke is close to bringing in another defenceman to compensate for the loss of Beauchemin and Kaberle, and whatever he pulls in, but more importantly what he doesn't have to give up will be the indicator where the Leafs officially stand heading into the Summer.

Clarke McArthur's name has been thrown around recently and it would be a huge mistake to trade him. The most consistent player on the Leafs roster this year, McArthur has played with a lot of heart and is easily the Leafs best pick-up of the past off-season. He would be a key player in a playoff run, as he provides some nice secondary scoring, and he plays defence rather well.

These next weeks will show the Leafs immediate future....Stay tuned Leafs Nation

36 Hours and Counting...

Leaf Nation's summer, has been full of speculation, rumours, hurt feelings, cancelled lunches, and of course the regular pessimism, and cynicism that is Leafs Nation. Brian Burke's handling of the Tomas Kaberle situation has been a media frenzy to say the least. What is Kaberle worth? Are you asking to much? Are you asking to little? He doesn't wanna leave, so why are you auctioning him off? Why havent you traded him yet? Are you waiting for the best deal? Are you running out of time? The media is a funny thing, schizophrenic even, and the longer Burke waits, the more people are questioning his strategy. If you ask me, I really stand no chance playing armchair general manager against a guy with one: 23 years executive hockey experience, and two:12 years as a General Manager in the NHL. The Stanley Cup ring in his wardrobe really questions my "expertise" as well.

But I digress, it is hard to believe that in less than 36 hours, this will all be done. All the time spent reading, checking rumours, and looking at other teams rosters and playing GM, is almost over. Soon, we will be looking at the basic Leafs roster for the season, and the cynics and Leaf haters will be on alert status red. Leaf fans have been waiting for this all summer, and with a fantastic Stanley Cup playoffs still in recent memory, the fans will surely be looking for more from there beloved blue and white this season, no question.

Kaberle is the only Leaf remaining from there previous two conference finals visits against Buffalo in 1998-99 and Carolina in 2000-02, and I know seeing games from then, it's understandable why Kaberle wants to wait1it out for a winner here, the atmosphere was fantastic. It would hurt to see him go, almost reminiscent of Mats Sundin, but at the end of the day, hockey is still a business, and if you can make a move to make your team better, you have to do it. Personally, as much as I like Kaberle's game, and his strong committment to the team, I think the Leafs stand to gain from moving him. If they can pick up a legitmate offensive threat, I think they get full value for him.

It is said that there are 10 teams that are interested in Kaberle's services. Although the list of 10 teams is not known officially, some teams have been kicking the tires the whole time (Devils,Kings, Bruins, Sharks, Sabres, Ducks), and others have just joined (Lightning,Stars). If Burke can pull some offensive talent off of any of these rosters, I believe it will be a step forward for the franchise.

The light is at the end of the tunnel, t-minus 36 hours, can't wait.

Kovy the New Favre?

So apparently....Kovalchuk hasn't signed with New Jersey? In a strange turn of events, the earlier reports of Kovalchuk signing with the Devils have been rescinded, and it is reported that negotiations are back on with the Kings, who were earlier reported as out of the running. One things for sure, Kovalchuk is probably not making any friends around the league, with this kind of Brett Farvesque performance. He set a deadline of today to make a decision, but has now pushed it back furthur. Seems he enjoys the spotlight, shocking really.

However the Maple Leafs made a move on the free agent front today, signing veteran defenceman and former Red Wing Brett Lebda, to a two year $1.45 million (US) a season. In 2008, when Detroit won the Cup, Lebda played in 19 playoff games and averaged 12:33 of ice time.The 5-foot-9 Lebda, was born in Buffalo Grove, Ill., and was a CCHA all-star with Notre Dame, with 85 points in 152 games. He signed with Detroit as a free agent six years ago this month and has 68 points in 326 regular-season games, many of them paired with Chris Chelios.

This signing would appear like the almost certain end of Tomas Kaberle's career with the Leafs. If you include Jeff Finger the Leafs have eight NHL ready defenceman, the others are: Dion Phaneuf, Francois Beauchemin, Mike Komisarek, Luke Schenn, Carl Gunnarsson, Lebda and Kaberle. Where Kaberle goes is still the million dollar question but Burke has stated he has 5 offers and an insult at this point. It is also rumoured the LA Kings have garnered the most interest, but this would probably largely be depending on what happens with the Kovalchuk saga.

Buffalo, New Jersey, and Anaheim, have also showed interest, but Burke's going to go anywhere he can get the best deal. Burke's getting ready to pull the trigger on a big deal and I can't wait to see his brainstorm. Stay Tuned Leafs Nation

What Does the Kovulchuk Signing Mean to the Rest of the NHL?

Big news from the NHL today. It is being reported that Ilya Kovulchuk, is poised to sign a $60 million dollar deal, that will see the prolific goalscorer stay in the swamp, for the next seven seasons. In lieu of this signing however, this makes the trade, and free agent markets different today. With the big fish of free agency gone, teams will more than likely try to bolster their lineup via trade, or pay a little more than they would have for some offence. Names like: Paul Kariya, Alexander Frolov, Bobby Ryan, Raffi Torres, and Teemu Selanne, are now the frontrunners with Kovulchuk gone. Before Lou Lamerello signed Kovulchuk however, the Devils only had roughly $4.8 million in cap space. So now the GM is left to cut salary.

Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leafs GM Brian Burke, and New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamirello are known to be friends, and colleagues in US National Hockey. The Devils need to cut salary and the Leafs need offence, role forwards, and/or a veteran d-man.

This a more than likely destination for Kaberle, and the perfect situation (just like Chicago) to get a bargain player from a team with cap issues. Names that immediately jump to mind to come the other way would include : Jason Arnott (salary of $4mil plus to score 19 goals last year?), Travis Zajac (age 25 with 25 goals last year), Zach Parise (age 25, 38 goals, RFA at the end of next season), and/or Jamie Langenbrunner (solid veteran forward, UFA after next season).

More and more I see some kind of deal being worked out between this two teams, as the devils must move to cut salary to avoid a penalty. They have to cut roughly $5 million in salary so we will wait and see who is on the way out. Stay Tuned Leafs Nation

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.

Why the 2010/11 Leafs are Going to be Exciting

For fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it has been a long 5 years. The last time the Leafs played a playoff game at Air Canada Centre, was April 21, 2003. Travis Green netted the winner in double overtime, Ed Belfour made 35 saves, played over 90 minutes, and the Leafs defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to force Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Final. Seems kind of distant doesn't it? After 3 seasons of not making the playoffs, the Leafs hired Brian Burke as their 13th General Manger in club history. With Burke's Resume,Leaf fans were very excited, and he has not disappointed. Since day one, it has been Burke's mission to strip down this team of age and salary, fill it with youth and grit, and make it a contender, and he is doing just that.

Burke's first deal was acquiring tough guy Brad May from the Anaheim Ducks, to give his team some needed toughness remarking: "It's gonna be more physical hockey here than people are used to". Despite missing the playoffs, Burke had picked up two more draft picks and acquired college free agents, Viktor Stalberg, Christian Hanson, and Tyler Bozak, who have all developed well under coach Ron Wilson. The Leafs continued on to the draft, taking highly touted prospect Nazim Kadri and 6 other players. Burke remained busy acquiring Mike Komisarek, Colton Orr, Carl Gunnarson, Garnet Exelby, Francois Beauchemin, Richard Wallin, Jonas Gustavsson, Wayne Primeau, and of course Phil Kessel. On paper this team seemed more than capable of making the playoffs but stumbled out of the gate with sniper Phil Kessel injured, and could never recover.

Noting the goaltending woes, and still wanting to get tougher, Burke showed the league he was serious about bringing the cup to Toronto. On January 31, Burke pulled two blockbuster deals trading struggling goaltender Vesa Toskala, and the underachieving Jason Blake, to Anaheim for goaltender and former Conn Smythe Award winner J.S Giguere. This move finally brought a proven number one goalie to Toronto, and cleared about $4 million in cap space. He then proceeded to trade Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers, Niklas Hagman, and Ian White to the Calgary Flames for tough hitting defencemen Dion Phaneuf , penalty killing specialist Fredric Sjostrom, and tough prospect Keith Aulie. The trade had immediate benefits in Toronto, with the Buds going 13-10-3 over their final 26 games with Phaneuf and Giguere in the lineup, after a record of 7-15-4 in their previous 26. Burke then continued to shed salary sending Alex Ponikarovsky to Pittsburgh for hometown grit player Luca Caputi and shipping Lee Stempniak to Phoenix for a draft pick and a prospect.

So here we are, Brian Burke has about $8 million in cap space, a fairly deep FA market, and a few teams with cap issues. This will likely mean the movement of some top forwards this summer. Burke also has trade bait in Tomas Kaberle (who is reportedly on the market), and Mikhail Grabovski's name, has also been thrown around. Burke has said publicly that teams have shown serious interest, and reportedly the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Columbus Blue Jackets have shown interest. If a bidding war were to break out Toronto would be the winners.

Names like Patrick Sharp, Bobby Ryan, and David Clarkson, have been popping up as players who could possibly be wearing the blue and white nest season. The Chicago Blackhawks are going to have cap issues in the off-season, and with a bulk of cap space dedicated to Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Duncan Keith, there will likely not be any room for the likes of Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, and Andrew Ladd. Burke has been seen at a few Blackhawks games this season, and Patrick Sharp has been rumoured to been his target. Bobby Ryan has declined an extension offer from the Anaheim Ducks, and the young sniper is set to become a free agent. Burke has a history with Ryan, drafting him 2nd overall behind Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft while General Manager of the Ducks, and his name has been in rumours around Toronto since Burke's first day on the job. The New Jersey Devils are also in the same position as the Chicago Blackhawks in regards to cap space, which may make players like David Clarkson available.

A more recent name that has been thrown into the mix is free agent Ilya Kovulchuk. At 27, and with six 40-goal seasons already under his belt, he has been called the best unrestricted free agent in NHL history. Normally a player with a reputation of not playing defence, would be a deal breaker for Brian Burke. Kovulchuk was traded at the trade deadline to a New Jersey Devils team that plays a strict defensive system, under the hard nosed Lou Lamirello. Under this system, Kovulchuk, was forced to play better defence and backcheck, naturally he became better in the defensive zone, all the while still averaging a point a game . Burke also has options to make room for a salary the size of Kovalchuk's. If Jeff Finger, Mikhail Grabovski, and/or Tomas Kaberle are moved, like it is rumoured they might be, this would create enough space for a big salary, and still enough for Burke to re-sign his key free agents . Toronto might be an attractive option for the Russian sniper. With a promising future, and being on arguably the biggest stage in pro hockey, Kovalchuk would provide a great punch with young sniper Phil Kessel, and might be the franchise player the Leafs need to get over the 43 year Stanley Cup hump.

Without a first round pick this year, it has also been reported that Burke is trying to acquire one. Kaberle would likely be packaged in any deal to attain one. The Columbus Blue Jackets have reportedly shown interest, sitting at 4th overall in this years draft. Also the Florida Panthers (No. 3), the Anaheim Ducks (No. 12), and the Buffalo Sabres (23) have reportedly shown some interest. If Burke could somehow get any of these picks, especially the Panthers No.3 pick, it leaves him a number of options on draft day.

D Cam Fowler - Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Fowler is a solid two-way defenceman. Even though he is young, he lacks any noticeable weaknesses in his game. Fowler is a great skater, especially for his big size, and looks very comfortable at full stride. Defensively, Fowler is extremely strong positionally, and playsa boat load of minutes against other team’s top lines. However, Fowler is equally good on the offensive side of the puck.

Overall, Fowler looks to have all the tools to be a big time defenceman in the NHL. While his offensive potential may not be as high end as some think, he definitely has the ability to be a very good two way defenceman, and should be ready for NHL duty as early as the 2010/2011 season.

LW Brent Connelly - Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Connolly is a good sized winger that needs to fill out physically to truly hit his potential, it will just take time. Connolly's strength is his ability to find ways to put the puck in the net. He has a terrific shot that’s accurate and comes with a quick release. Connolly should transform into a 30+ goal scorer at the NHL level rather easily. His skating is decent, and he has great hands to go along with it. Connolly also has a knack for being in the right place in the right time, something big goal scorers are often notorious for.

F Nick Bjugstad -Blaine High School (Minnesota) Nick Bjugstad is a monster forward. The 6′4″ 188lbs centre moves very well for a big man, and can really break down a team with his speed and skill on defence. He also competes hard every night, and like most others, needs to fill out his slender frame. Once he does that, Bjugstad could add a mean physical dimension to his game. While he currently is committed to the University of Minnesota next year for the 2010/2011 season, he would need the year to bulk up and get some more experience.

RW Nino Neiderreiter- Portland Winterhawks

After coming over from Switzerland to play in the WHL this season, Niederreiter has been a strong player for the Portland Winterhawks. Neiderreiter has showed a solid combination of skill and physical play, which has has made him a star in Canadian Junior Hockey. He was easily one of the Top 10 defencemen at the last World Junior Hockey Championship.

With all of these possibilities, and the possibility of more to come, it looks like Leaf fans finally have something to be excited about. Brian Burke has put the Toronto Maple Leafs in a good position, not only going in to the off season, but into next season and beyond. The Maple Leafs will be a much more exciting team to watch next season, and avoiding injuries, a playoff berth shouldn't be far-fetched. Burke is making the Maple Leafs franchise respectable in the league once again, and may now draw some serious interest from potential free agents. We just watched one original six team end it's Stanley Cup drought, how soon will it be before we see another?