Fab Fabian Brunnstrom: From Dark Horse to Stud

Enter Toronto, an offense starved team that will be looking to rebuild this summer with a new GM and a new look. Toronto has Mats Sundin, who after one of his strongest seasons last year appears to be fully able to play at least one more year for the blue and white. Add to that youngster Alex Steen, whose father Thomas is one of the most respected players in Swedish hockey, as well as Staffan Kronwall making up the Swedish contingent, and Jiri Tlusty, Kyle Wellwood, Matt Stajan and Simon Gamache (who is still under contract despite signing with SC Bern for the remainder of the 07/08)  offering a bright future outlook. In addition, proven performers and assumed building blocks Vesa Toskala and Tomas Kaberle, show that the Leafs have nowhere to go but up.

They can offer him ice time and exposure to the NHL, and in return, he can offer spectacular talent, a 21 year old's youth but with some acquired maturity, and most importantly, the willingness to sign for a 3 year entry level contract that would see him receive just under $2M a season.

Realistically, if the Leafs don't waste their no. 7 pick to pick up an over the hill player, the pain of their loss in the Stamkos Sweepstakes could be dulled by acquiring 2 NHL ready first round calibre young prospects with only one first round pick.

This summer could see many major roster and front office shakeups, including whispers of Brian Burke waiting for the end of the Ducks' season to formally begin talks to take the GM job, trading/buying out Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker, the departure of  Andrew Raycroft, and with any luck, a serious bid on impending UFA Brian Rolston.

More exciting than all of them however, would be seeing Brunnstrom's name on the back of a Maple Leafs sweater.

On the Bleacher Report, I'm Andrew Castaneda.

With files from TSN.ca, hockeydb.com, The Hockey News, CBC.ca, NHL.com, WikiPedia.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?