Maple Leafs' Draft Day Now Promises to be Busy

Cliff Fletcher did all he could today in trimming some fat off the current roster, dropping about $3 million in salary for next year and adding some much-needed depth to their draft table. Come draft day, the new GM will have many more cards to play.

Now Leaf Nation, take a deep breath, after weeks of salivating over what we might get for Mats Sundin (me included) in a trade or Jeff Carter being dangled for Thomas Kaberle, we must not fret over what might have been. The No-Trade Five certainly tied Fletcher's hands, but the reality is how much help would you get?

With Mats, the return would have been decent, but not mind-boggling. But if there is anyone in the league who deserves his own fate, it's Sundin.

Bryan McCabe was likely too expensive to move, same with Darcy Tucker.

Thomas Kaberle could have gotten you a mid-first rounder and Jeff Carter. A big offensive center is needed, but Kaberle is an All-Star and inexpensive. I think the Leafs needed more for a player they don't really need to move.

Finally, there is Paval Kubina and by all accounts, had he waived his no trade, he would have been dealt.

I am not sure why he wouldn't. He had the opportunity to play meaningful hockey the rest of the season but instead declined. Now his fate will be dealt with this summer when his no trade is lifted and the Leafs will move him then.

There seemed to be a big push to eliminate salary but I am not certain why. The Leafs have no RFAs looking for big raises and there doesn't look to be much in the way of free agency that is going to make this team better. 

With the inevitable Kubina trade ($5M), trades of Hal Gill ($2M) and Chad Kilger ($800K) and waiving Andrew Ratcroft ($2M) and Mark Bell ($2.5M), the Leafs will save themselves over $12M in cap space. There is no need to get into any big buyouts; there will be lots of cap space.

That takes me to draft day where I believe there will be a lot happening.

With Fletcher hanging onto most of the talent, the new GM will have lots of options come draft day. Like I mentioned previously, watch for Kubina to be traded this day.

What options will be explored with Nik Antropov and Alex Ponikerovski or Alex Steen? The log-jam of young, semi-talented defensemen? Watch out for some very possible moves as the new GM puts his stamp on this team.

When following the playoffs this spring, pay close attention to the Marlies and the Canadiens. They both have young goaltenders leading them in Justin Pogge and Carey Price.

If Pogge can duplicate what Price did last year and lead the Marlies to the AHL finals and Price has a strong playoff performance, many comparisons are sure to come. Thus possibly making Vesa Toskola available come draft day, and we know just how expensive quality starting goaltending is don't we J.F.J.? We certainly have had to pay for it the last two years.

So, just think Leaf fans, since trade deadline day was a bore, draft day could be quite the day. Especially if the Leafs can hold onto a lottery pick (a little more Raycroft please).