Maple Leafs: Alex Steen To Bleed Blue and White for Two More Years

I thought about taking the next few days off, I really did.

I figured, "Hey, why not be like Bill Simmons post-Super Bowl XLII and just mysteriously go AWOL for a few days."

(It was later determined that Simmons was fairly ill, so I guess I can forgive him).

Whether my reason was that I wanted to prepare for the NHL trade deadline or just the fact that I've spent a majority of my time the past four days locked away in a television studio, that's your call.

But just when I thought I was out—they pulled me back in.

(Wow...an Al Pacino quote...namely that Al Pacino quote. Original eh?)

Now although the trade deadline is just over a weekend away, the youth movement in Toronto has begun—without making a single change to the roster.

Alex Steen has signed a two-year contract extension worth $1.7 million per year.

So what?

First of all, it ensures that at least one familiar Blue and White face will remain on the roster come Tuesday at 3:00 pm (unless this is one of those "sign and trades," in which case I don't know what to believe in anymore).

It also means that the Leafs have caved to the Kevin Lowe effect—signing Steen well before he becomes an RFA so that they don't have to put up with the decision of having to match some ridiculous offer sheet (also see: Calgary Flames and Dion Phaneuf).

It also shows that Toronto is willing to commit to a younger core of players (which Steen is expected to one day lead) in an attempt to strengthen their future while keeping themselves financially responsible in the present.

I mean let's face it: Before the lockout, Alex Steen could have milked the Leafs for at least $3 million (and I don't even want to think about what kind of cash one of those offer sheets could have generated) because the Leafs were a team that couldn't snap up a bad contract fast enough.

Hell, up until a few months ago (culminating in the firing of JFJ), they still couldn't help themselves. Just look at McCabe and Kubina's deals. Yes, both were worth keeping around, but at that kind of scratch combined with the lack of flexibility?

I'd rather give Sean MC's cat a sponge bath.

Maybe this is a testament to the sanity and recognition of "appropriate cost for appropriate contribution" that Cliff Fletcher brings to the Maple Leafs. Maybe it's Fletch auditioning for a longer term gig (I'm sure the thought is at least nibbling at the back of his mind).

Or maybe this was a publicity stunt by management because they have the foresight to see that none of the players will waive their no-trade clauses on Tuesday and they just want to make it seem like they're keying on the future.

(On second thought, even I think I'm crazy for writing this...they can't be that evil can they?).

Whatever the reason is, I'm certainly not complaining.

Sure, Steen may have a career-high of a mere 18 goals. And yes, his point production has gone down each season he has been in the NHL (he's currently on pace for 35 points, the same total as last year), and he may be in a tie for 12th on the team in plus/minus (-2), but there's something to be said for his hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach to the game....which makes me a firm believer in the fact that he should see some more time on Sundin's wing.

You can tell that one day Alex Steen will where the "C" for the Blue and White—there's just something different about him, a "vibe" if you will, that makes me confident he'll be a strong role model on this team for years to come.

And who knows—maybe his stats will pick up and we'll start seeing a combination of his 2005-06 season (18 goals, 27 assists, 45 points) and his 2006-07 season (+5).

Whatever comes to be on Tuesday, at least a little sunshine has begun to shine on the Maple Leafs future.

Whether Tuesday's results bring more of the same and lift Leafs Nation from their flustered furor however...

Well, we'll just have to wait and see.