The match has been struck by Cliff Fletcher as he makes his first moves in blowing up the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The club said goodbye to forwards Darcy Tucker and Kyle Wellwood, as well as incumbent goaltender Andrew Raycroft. It's doubtful the Silver Fox is done there.
Also potential candidates to be wearing different sweaters in October, as I have indicated earlier, are Jason Blake, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Pavel Kubina, and maybe even Ian White.
In the spirit of the youth movement, I believe—and somewhat hope—that Fletcher will re-sign centre Dominic Moore, even if he lets him get to July 1 and become unrestricted free agent.
Moore did all the little things right on a team that seemed intent on ignoring such minuscule details. Mark Bell should also be given another shot in blue and white, simply due to the fact that his first season was shortened by injury and suspension.
Pavel Kubina is an interesting conversation topic. On one hand, he is a potential captain. On the other hand, Kubina may end up being the odd man out.
With Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe locked into no-trade clauses and unwilling to waive them, Fletcher's hand may be forced to deal the veteran defenseman for a high draft pick or a young forward, simply because he won't have any other options.
I am of the opinion that Kubina should be kept, because he played tremendously down the stretch when given top-two minutes and increased power-play time.
Also, it has been noted by media insiders that the club deeply respects his leadership qualities and intense passion to win. If Kubina and McCabe were on the same contractual terms, Today's Must Reads
The Leafs will be minor players in the free agency market this summer, with about $16 million to spend on approximately five roster spots, depending on what other moves are made.
They may opt to go with some young Marlie talent that will cost them under a million dollars per player and increase the amount they can spend on middle-aged (under 30) free agents.
Here are some suggestions on who the Leafs can and should try to target when the clock strikes noon on Canada Day:
Sean Avery, RW
Most observers may not like the suggestion, due to Avery's public disdain for the Canadian hockey media. I was once of the mind that Avery wouldn't even want to play here, and that may still be true.
However, the facts are simple. The guy can score, fight, hit, and give his team an edge every night. There is no player in the league that other players hate to play against more than Avery (see Marty Brodeur).
The Rangers' record with him in the lineup over the past two seasons is significantly better than the record without him. He is an intense competitor who will give the Leafs a little bit of sandpaper that they have sorely lacked over the last few seasons.
Ryan Malone, RW
He's going to be 29 next season, and based on his performance in the playoffs, the guy has incredible heart and determination. He scored almost 30 goals this season—granted he was playing with Evgeni Malkin—but he goes to the net hard and knows how to find scoring situations.
Malone is another guy who plays physical every shift, and isn't afraid to drop the gloves. He appears to be a younger version of Gary Roberts.
Gary Roberts, LW
I know I said under-30 talent—but the Leafs are going to be without a captain and true leader next season, and I think Roberts will fill that role admirably if signed.
There are rumours that he would take about $1 million per year for one to two seasons (he won't last longer than that anyway) to come back to Toronto. While only playing on the third or fourth lines, he will be a veteran presence in the dressing room who would be able to train a future captain, such as Matt Stajan or Alex Steen.
Roberts also showed that he can still score goals, while playing on Pittsburgh's fourth line with Georges Laraque.
Those are my suggestions, but I'm turning it over to you. Who do you think the Leafs should keep? Who should they rid themselves of (please try to remain realistic).
Finally, Leafs fans need to accept the fact that this team is going to be flat-out no good next season. Unless Fletcher is able to make at least two miraculous trades, they are going to miss the playoffs for the fourth season in a row.
They can thank the Muskoka Five for that, by deciding to stick around and not allow the team to get better. Now the likes of Sundin and Tucker are walking away with more money in their pockets and the Leafs are stuck in the cold with nothing in the cupboard.
Leafs fans should not be afraid to express extreme disappointment with both the players for lack of effort and desire in previous years, and in management for being so lackadaisical and allowing a country club environment.
Change is coming in Toronto, but it will be a while yet before the results will bear success. Your thoughts and comments are, as always, encouraged.
comments (6) write a comment »
write a new comment
2 months ago
The Leafs will be a disciplined team next year, i know that for a fact, and as good as Kubina was at imes, he was also that bad as well. He is not captain material for the Leafs. I will wait for free agency before I make that vote. As for possible future leafs, what about Michael Ryder? He is definitely good enough to sign with the Leafs and is Ron Wilsons type of player.
2 months ago
great article matt!! very nice analysis
2 months ago
stajan may have some leadership qualities but i don't know of any current non-defenseman captain who is not also an offensive threat or was one in their prime. so unless there is a huge turn around in his game he will not be a captain in the blue and white or anywhere else in this league.
It wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of the Leafs call ups to be in the line up this year. With limited cap space, the need for some grit and a coach who likes to work with young players as well as a push for a younger squad, i would expect some players from the marlies to be up there to make space for the signing of a goal scoring forward. look for players like kris newbury, ben ondrus and maybe even robbie earl to crack the line up as regulars and watch for increased playing time from jeremy williams.
2 months ago
despite the vulgarity i have to agree with jake (also, it's not even close to the biggest issue facing our team anymore).
i really have a lot of trouble with the wellwood ditch. we stuck with antropov who played worse than wellwood ever could for like 5 years, and we ditch wellwood after 1 bad year? i think it's entirely unreasonable. my suspicion is that there was someone behind the scenes who he pissed off.
everything else is up in the air, i don't think there are many places to go right or wrong with the free agent pool. plus, whatever captain we choose probably won't play like a captain because we have a pretty bum-filled team.
to conclude, if sundin ever puts on the blanc, rouge et bleu i will vomit for the rest of my life.
2 months ago
Jake that's pretty short-sighted. Stajan is going to fluorish under Wilson's coaching. FUTURE captain is more than a legitimate statement. He has shown determination, dedication, aggressive leadership skills, and more. He can pass, score, he can deke, he's a great special teams guy and more importantly he's finally got a good coach.
Sundin never really fought either. He'd get his gloves up and push around some, but when was the last time he took them off to get some punches in? You're argument is short-sighted.
Who do you "deem worthy" of your captain position? Keep in mind, Stajan won't be captain any time soon if ever he does.
2 months ago
Wow, you really input some good info. Precisely to your level of intelligence. What is that; you trash us as if we're 13? I assume you're no older than 16 and haven't watched leafs in a dedicated manner more than a year or two. You're comparing Stajan to Getzlaf... Get over yourself. Stop playing Sleeping Beauty you fool and play reality. Unfortuantely your Cinderella Story is not going to occur in the next few years. If we're, "typical stupid Leafs fans" then i guess EVERYONE WHO POSTS ON BLEACHERREPORT.COM, aside from you of course, has an illegitimate opinion. Aside from your narrow-minded and petty comments about the comparison between Stajan and Getzlaf, you've contributed absolutely no relative information as to how Stajan and Steen deserve to be traded, especially being part of the rebuilding LEAFS franchise.
People like you make me sick. You have nothing intelligent to report. You just like shutting down others, and all you do is indulge yourself in the Leafs Misery. It's because of people like you that the Leafs don't excel in the playoffs.
P.S. If you're not a Leafs fan; unless you have NHL Centre Ice, you know nothing of Stajan and Steen less what they've played VS, your team. If you are a "Leafs fan" then you are a contributor as to why the Leafs players have so much pressure on them. Get off their case, or get off the fanbase. People like you ruin it for the city, Jake.
write a new comment