Bleacher Report - Articles by Steve Terry

Are the Sedins Destined for Toronto?

Steve Terry — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:38:51 -0400

The Sedin twins have had a great ride in Vancouver, but the Canucks have not been able to sign the two to a new contract. This summer, both Daniel and Hendrick will sell their services to the team of their choice.

Toronto has a huge advantage (apart from Vancouver) at signing the duo to new contracts. What is that advantage you ask?

Brian Burke was the face of Vancouver on that happy day when the twins were drafted to the same club. Giving the twins one of the greatest opportunities in hockey history (two brothers to play their whole career together on the same team), Brian Burke has a big chance to sign these two while at his new post in Toronto.

The only other club to have a chance (A BIG CHANCE) of signing the twins is the Detroit Red Wings. With a team full of Swede phenoms, this would be an attractive destination.

The thing that puts Toronto ahead is that they finally have cap space. They are one of the most financially "in shape" teams able to sign these two.

Brian Burke will do what he can to move current players and make space for these two amazing brothers, additions that would ultimately change the club for the better.

The Sedins, destined for Toronto!

John Tavares To Toronto...It Could Happen!

Steve Terry — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:47:20 -0400

Who would ever give up the chance to draft the most highly anticipated player since Sidney Crosby? No one, right?

Let's think about the a few key things that give the Leafs a chance to draft Tavares:

1. Islanders are have a poor back end on their club and would more likely draft Victor Hedman as oppose to John Tavares.

2. Tampa Bay have just discovered the Steven Stamkos potential at the end of the season of 2009.

3. The Leafs helped Tampa Bay out with a bit of a salary dump at the trade deadline of 2009.

4. Tampa Bay has poor goaltending and are too close to the cap to do any goaltender remedying by signing a good goaltender free agent.

5. The Leafs have the cap space to take more salary dump from Tampa in exchange of draft choices.

6. The Leafs have some players that will attract attention from many clubs to improve their team.

7. Lastly, Luke Schenn, Luke Schenn would not be as much of a loss as one would think

Imagine if you would.

Let's say the Tavares was in the 2008 draft...You could trade your pick (Luke Schenn) and another draft pick (seventh pick) for John Tavares. Would you not take that?

John Tavares is the kind of player you can build your team arround such as Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Joe Thornton. Sign Tavares and then fill in the other spaces.

The chance of John Tavares landing in Toronto is not as small as people are making it. For the first time in a long time, Toronto is in the position to grab a league leading star. Burke will land Tavares on draft day.

Bryan McCabe to be traded from Toronto

Steve Terry — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:38:04 -0400

It has come to my attention that Bryan McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs has waived his no trade clause.

He has given permission to Cliff Fletcher to talk to some teams to where he could be traded.

The following teams is where McCabe is expected to go to: Florida (most likely), Atlanta (a good chance), or Columbus (small chance).

If you have my two cents, I would say Florida will be the next home of Bryan. But I think there may be a chance of McCabe in New York as well. Not the Islanders though...I'm talken Rangers.

There's no where to say for sure yet where he will go, but he will be on the move.

Let the trade rumours begin!

My Draft Pick For 2009

Steve Terry — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:57:25 -0400

If you are like me, you would think that the Leafs will finish near the bottom this year. I do not think this is a bad thing.

Because of John Tavares you may ask.

No!

I have done some looking at the Junior talent and the draft pick I think the Leafs should make this year is Magnus Pääjärvi.

This kid is a six-foot-one, 200 pound scoring machine. If you don't believe me, check youtube.

His ability to plow through people and still hold the puck is "jaw dropping!" He can stick handle like a beast while keeping his head up and watching for the pass. Magnus Pääjärvi has the ability to make players stop and watch while he "dipsy-doodles" around.

So it doesn't matter if the Leafs don't get the first draft pick which will most likely be John Tavares.

Magnus Pääjärvi will be the big talent that will catch everyone's eyes in the NHL. Don't worry if the Leafs do better than expected. This draft is deep and there is talent that will out shine Tavares.

Rick Nash: Destined For Toronto

Steve Terry — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:35:45 -0400

Its going to happen.

Rick Nash was the superstar "home boy" in Ontario. Growing up in the Toronto area, he would have someday loved to return to his roots.

I know. Why will Columbus not sign Nash? I think there will be several reasons why.

Rick Nash has been stuck in Columbus and has only recently shown the stardom he once did (playing for London Knights). You can see it happening. He has not seen any improvements made to the the Blue Jackets.

Sergei Federov was traded away by Columbus to improve their club for the future. Does this mean they will just start all over again?

Quite probably.

Though Nash has never fully lived up to his potential (aside from tying for the lead in scoring in 2004), he has shown signs of blooming with a big season last year. Much like Vincent Lecavalier and Joe Thornton, Nash just needed a few years of experience under his belt to turn into the player that will dominate the NHL.

So how is Toronto going to get him?

Nash will get tired of playing in Columbus and with free agency approaching, he will choose not to sign with Columbus. He will want to pick a team where he is more interested in playing.

Toronto could be the front-runner for his services.

The Maple Leafs will just have to jump at the chance to sign him and make necessary changes to require him from Columbus.

The bottom line? Rick Nash is a Canadian boy that would make a great captain for Toronto and would also be the player that they can also start building around.

Cliff Fletcher must start making those changes and be aggressive to signing this young superstar.

Time to Trade Antropov

Steve Terry — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:09:08 -0400

Nik Antropov has had his best season in his career this year.

He has come along way from his start.

Antropov has the best hand-eye coordination on the Leafs, if not one of the best in the NHL.

His power and force to drive to the net while carrying the puck is much like Sundin.

So, why is it time to trade Antropov?

Antropov did have a good season this year, but he will probably never have another season like that again.

If you look at his history, you will see that it has been one plagued with injury.

It’s only a matter of time until he is "broken" again.

It’s the time to trade him now.

The reason why I say “now” is, because if you wait any longer, you will see him get injured.

His style of game is to tough for him not to get injured… and his popularity will never be this high again.

If the Leafs want to rebuild, they need to get draft picks and this is probably the best way to get a good draft.

Now, is the best time to trade Nik Antropov— before he brings his "stock" down.

Drafts for Drama

Steve Terry — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:22:38 -0400

"Hold the Press!" I have something to say about this move— another General Manager of the Leafs has screwed up!

With talented players that could be traded for with all the cap space being taken up, you would think, if you would trade a draft pick away, you would make it worthwhile.

Cliff Fletcher trades away the draft pick that the Leafs got for Hal Gill.

With a deeply talented drafting coming next year and the rebuilding of a team in turmoil, you’d think that keeping drafts would be wiser than trading them away.

No!

We needed another tough guy that has no offensive support on a team without offense.

The Leafs will have no hope of scoring goals next year if their offense does not spruce up a bit.

Ryan Hollweg is definitely not the answer.

Hollweg had two goals and two assists in seventy games last year and had 96 minutes in the penalty box.

The Leafs need a little toughness at the beginning of the season, but Jamal Mayers was supposed to be the answer for that— only costing a draft pick for him as well.

With more toughness and a team made only for defense, how would the Leafs improve with no more drafts?

This team is destined for another awful five years.

Toronto is just trading their drafts for players that will be thrown around in the media as mistakes.

Here we go again: more drama in T.O.

Martin Havlat Could Be A Possibility For Toronto

Steve Terry — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:09:22 -0400

With the Toronto Maple Leafs season "in the air" for the next few years, Toronto needs to sign that player that could still interest their fans. There is just not really to many guys that they could sign.

One big name that is out there that the Leafs could easily sign is Martin Havlat. Why would the Leafs want to sign Havlat? Glad you asked...!

Havlat has four seasons with at least 20 goals. When he and Marrian Hossa were on the Ottawa Senators, Havlat would often outshine Hossa. His talent exceeds most players in the NHL. Also, Havlat is just a young guy at the age of only 26.

So I know... How are the Leafs going to sign Havlat?

The Chicago Blackhawks are over the salary cap right now and need to get rid of a few players. Havlat had a rough few seasons with Chicago and this has made him an expendable asset.

Havlat would be one of those players that the Leafs could really use at this time in the organization. He is the kind of player that will make "show-stopping" plays that will bring fans to their feet.

Hopefully Cliff Fletcher will get on the phone and try to get Havlat... before another team becomes interested.

Mats Sundin is Playing Hard To Get

Steve Terry — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:38:40 -0400

Mats Sundin is one of the greatest captains to grace the blue and white. He has devoted almost 14 years to the Toronto Maple Leaf organization. If you are a Leaf fan, you are automatically a Sundin fan.

Sundin knows what he means to Leaf history and the Leaf public, so why won't he sign with Toronto?

Looking at the situation from Sundin's eyes will probably clue us in.

Finishing the 2007-2008 season, Sundin had a great point total and statistically he had one of his best seasons. He did his part, but Leaf nation was demanding his trade.

Of course if the Leafs were to have traded Sundin they would have received a good draft choice in return. Sundin did not want to finish his career on another team so he did not wave his no-trade clause. The press and fans hounded Sundin to wave his no-trade clause but he still said no. His intent was to retire in the next few seasons and to take time to decide when to leave.

So where does that leave Sundin and the Leafs?

Enthusiastic offers from Montreal and New York show that the Leaf captain has certainly gained his respect in the NHL.

Then it happened!

Sundin got the big offer of $10 million a year for two seasons. To most of us this is a no brainer. Big Money! But Sundin still can't pull himself away from the team he has had a marriage with for the past 14 years.

At this point, we are like the waiting partner in a marriage. We have wronged the other and are waiting for his forgiveness or cut of ties.

The only thing we have going for us is that Sundin still could not trade us for a price tag. He still wants to retire as the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Will Sundin return this year?

Ilya Kovalchuk a Maple Leaf?

Steve Terry — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:33:42 -0400

Remember when the Leafs had a goal scorer that reached 50 goals in a season? Of course not. In the last few decades, Toronto has not had a player that would stand out in the scoring race.

Mats Sundin has been the best player on the Leafs for the last 15 years. At the same time, Sundin has never scored more than 50 goals in a single season in his entire career. Don't get me wrong, he has been Captain Toronto and has carried the Maple Leafs when they had nothing going for them.

But the last player I can remember that really impacted the Leafs in scoring was Dave Andreychuk. He scored 53 goals for the Leafs in the '93-'94 season. It's been a long time since we have seen that in Toronto.

So what does this have to do with Iyla Kovalchuk? Everything!

Iyla will be approaching free agency in the near future. The Atlanta Thrashers know that he will want to sign for big bucks. He also would like to play for a market where he will get the attention he deserves.

Atlanta has expressed interest in Bryan McCabe in the past and even considered trading Iyla for Bryan. Needless to say that deal never happened. So what would stop the Leafs from going for Iyla again?

Sweeten the deal by adding one of our over-abundant, talented defensemen, such as Carlo Colaiacovo or Ian White, if not both, and add Nik Antropov to the mix and there just might be a deal.

Nik Antropov has just come off a good season and his value has never been higher. It's now or never to deal him, if he is to be dealt someday.

Iyla Kovalchuk would be very worth the price. He is the first Russian player to be drafted first overall. He has scored 50 goals in one season twice. Iyla is just loaded with talent and skill.

The Maple Leafs would be very wise to trade for his contract and try to sign him for at least an eight year contract. He is worth the investment. Just look at his counter-part Alexander Ovechkin. He has about the same stats as Iyla has in his career apart from four years less experience.

Will the Maple Leafs consider making a move for Iyla Kovalchuk again in the near future? Hopefully they will not pass on this chance again.

Is Brian Burke The Answer?

Steve Terry — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:40:26 -0400

Brian Burke is considered to be one of the most coveted general managers in the NHL. Burke is currently the general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. He will be free to choose from a multitude of teams where he would want to go next year as his time with the Ducks is coming to a close.

The Maple Leafs are said to be very interested in his services in the fall season of 2009. But I ask... Is Brian Burke really the Answer?

What is it he would do that will cure any club from worst to first? Looking at his past, one can see that he has had some good moves and BAD moves.

Burke was responsible for the terrible goal tending of Dan Cloutier while he was general manager in Vancouver. He did not do too much for Vancouver beside drafting the Sedin twins. So if Brian Burke would have not had such a lucky draft the year of the Sedin twins... would he have been so well reputable in Vancouver?

Consider his run to the cup in 2007. He had some amazing acquisitions, but they were mostly due to just luck. Chris Pronger wanted anywhere but Edmonton. Scott Niedermayer wanted to play on the same team as his brother that year which team was conveniently in Anaheim. He drafted the expected Corey Perry. These were all no brain-er moves that could have been pulled off by anyone in his position.

So, what exactly would he do if he was placed in Los Angelos? If he was to be placed in a team like that... His reputation as the "most coveted general manager" would be no more.What you do get with Brian Burke is a good show.

The only team where he could get his giant head through the front door may be the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs have made some big changes and have drafted well. With a club finally turning around its misfortune, is it time to bring in another wash out into Toronto?

NHL: The Good Boys?

Steve Terry — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:01:52 -0400

There are no athletes quite the same as hockey players. If you look throughout NHL history, you can find very few reputational flaws of those in the NHL. NHL-ers have always been thought of as gentlemen who have respect for one another and for life.

With guys like Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman, Jerome Iginla, Gordie Howe, and Bobby Orr, how could you go wrong?

Statistics have shown that hockey players, of all professional athletes, are to be most faithful and committed to marriage and law. Yes, the NHL has a much better track record than the NBA, NFL, and even MLB.

The NBA's bad boys like Alan Iverson, Dennis Rodman, and Qyntel Woods have caused the NBA to have its hands full. The NFL's trouble makers—Mike Vick, O. J. Simpson, and Adam Jones—have caused some sad days.

It seems like the NHL has a squeaky clean record compared to these other leagues. But will it last? In the recent years there have been many issues popping out of the NHL.

Controversy of Alan Eagleson has had its time in the news.

What about Mike Danton? He is not to be forgotten; only a murder attempt on a former agent's life (whether he deserved it or not)!

NHL's Rick Tocchet has caused his share of laws broken with illegal gambling.

The NHL has had its recent bumps. Is there any chance that the NHL will stop its slide into the downward spiral of bad example athletes like the other professional leagues in North America? Probably not, but with the refusal of all clubs to sign a player like Ray Emery (who seemed to be a loose canon to his Ottawa Senator team), there could be hope or at least a slow down.

When the NHL starts to allow players to live without conscience, there will be no North American good-old-boys to look up to.

Tomas Kaberle: The Toronto Maple Leafs' New Captain

Steve Terry — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:40:25 -0400

Mats Sundin will most likely not return to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008-2009 season.

Leaf Nation are baffled by the fact that the Leafs will have to get a new captain. Many say that there is no one on the club that could fill Sundin shoes... but I beg to differ. One of the most unsung hero defensemen of all-time is Tomas Kaberle.

What would stop the Leafs' management from anointing him the captain right now? Let's just consider the facts...Shall we?

Kaberle was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leaf organization. He is currently 19th in Maple Leafs all-time scoring history with 402 points. He is just at the right age of 30, not too young and not too old. Every team in the NHL would jump at the chance to sign him, but he chooses to stick with Toronto.

BUT one of the biggest things I am most impressed with is...for the first time in a long time, we had a player that won a challenge in the skill competition at the All-Star Game. YES! It's true!

The Leafs have a player that not only showed up to the competition with the world's greatest hockey players, but actually did something there.

Tomas Kaberle is always going under the radar. He should be recognized for the hockey talent he is. The other choices for "captain" on the team now are: Jason Blake (who has a hard time getting along with his team), Brian McCabe (who will likely not be a Leaf for much longer), or Nik Antropov (who has had only one good season).

Tomas has been a big part of the Leafs and should be rewarded for his effort. One way to reward Tomas Kaberle for the years he has given to the Maple Leaf organization would be giving him the "C."

Who else would you give it to?

No Room For McCabe!

Steve Terry — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:33:33 -0400

The Leafs have made some big changes to their blue line, but is the biggest change yet to come?

Jeff Finger signed with the Maple Leafs on July first, when his free agency began. He is a good stay-at-home defence-man,yet has to prove his worth.

The Leafs also drafted Luke Schenn. Luke looks to be an Adam Foote kind of defence-man. It would be foolish to leave him in the minors.

The Leafs are also furiously trying to resolve the signing of Jonas Frogren. He is another stay at home defence-man that will work hard for the Leafs. He is expecting to be a Leaf and not an AHL player.

So, where does this leave McCabe? Cliff Fletcher is not about to trade Thomas Kabrle, but would rather make him captain. Pavel Kubina could be on the trading block. Pavel had a successful second half of the season last year; it would not be on Cliff Fletcher's agenda to move him right away.

Others, such as Ian White, Anton Stralman, and Carlo Colaiacovo still have lots of potential, and they will be with the Leafs as fourth, fifth, and sixth place defence-men as they're not much against the salary cap. So this leaves McCabe.

He does not fit Ron Wilson's defensive style. No, McCabe is a power-play specialist. The only thing is, he is not much on the power-play as of late.

The truth is... There is no more room for McCabe in Toronto. He will likely dicker back in forth with Leaf management. Eventually he will get tired of being sidelined and will wave his no trade. The only question is... Where would he go?

Cliff Fletcher Lives Up to His Promise to Change Maple Leafs

Steve Terry — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:58:56 -0400

Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, and possibly Bryan McCabe gone?

Yes! We thought we would never see the day when our beloved boys in blue would actually leave the Toronto Maple Leafs. Those boys we could always count on...they are gone!

Yet, that is not necessarily a bad thing. The Leafs have always gone the route of signing free agent players nearing the end of their career. This has not been successful for the club in the last five years.

The days when you could find a few good players and sign them all in one season are gone. The Maple Leafs finally figured it out with Cliff Fletcher at the helm of it all. Fletcher has actually changed the team!

Instead of keeping the same players and just missing the playoffs, he cut off the dead limbs and is trying to rebuild a new team to flourish with new Leafs. It's amazing that he figured out that if he signed the same players back for next season, he probably would have the same results as last year. Smart guy!

He traded up in the draft to get a quality defenseman that the Leafs desperately need at their core. Luke Schenn may not turn the team around in one year, but in the long run he may just do it.

Look at Chris Pronger and how he turned the Ducks around. It looks as though Cliff Fletcher is starting to build the same team as the Ducks in their winning year. Does this mean a possible signing of Brian Burke next year? Looks that way.

If you think about it, you have a stay at home defenseman in Luke Schenn (like Chris Pronger), a puck moving defenseman in Anton Stralman (like Scott Niedermayer), and a goalie that can hold a lead in the clutch in Vesa Toskala (well, kinda like Jean-Sébastien Giguère). This team is being made for Brian Burke.

There is hope for the Leafs in the long term. There just might be a three or four year wait.