Maple Leafs: Burke Unlikely To Make a Deal Before Trade Deadline

Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs are unlikely to make a deal before the trade deadline simply because they don't have to.

I have been reading headlines everywhere lately such as, "Burke Has To Make A Deal," "Maple Leafs Should Trade..." and "Deal or No Deal Canada......" The fact of the matter is, it just isn't going to happen.

Burke may make a couple of deals at the deadline, but they will not be deals that are going to help the Leafs in the immediate future.

With 11 restricted free agents and 12 unrestricted free agents, the Leafs will sign who they want to keep before then. There could be some kind of sign and trade deal at the deadline with a player that they weren't planning on keeping, but I can't see that happening.

Burke is no dummy. He has been one of the top five GMs' in the league for over a decade for a reason. He knows what he has, and he does have some value.

Right now, there are teams making inquiries about some Leafs' players. The trouble is, right now, according to Burke, they are all offering garbage.

There are several Leafs' players that could have an impact on any roster heading to the playoffs, and that is when you may see a deal or two made.

As far as the NHL Draft goes, we've got nothing until the third round as it stands right now. Let's not forget about the College Draft, and the fact that Burke may still be able pry a decent pick or two from a fringe team at the deadline.

Don't count on free agent signings in the off season either. There are very few players who will be free agents this year that would represent a marked improvement over what Toronto already has. I would argue, man for man, the Leafs couldn't do any better than re-signing what they already have in that regard.

Unless Burke gets a really good offer at the deadline, you are looking at pretty much the same team that you will see next year. Toronto may not re-sign Vesa Toskala and  a couple of others players to make room for Christian Hanson and Nazem Kadri.