Part 2: Taking Stock of Maple Leafs Roster as Trade Deadline Day Approaches

In one of my last articles here on the site I took a look at the defense of the Toronto Maple Leafs as trade deadline day approaches.

In past two of the roster audit, we take a look at the forwards.

Matt Stajan

Since his arrival in Toronto, Stajan has been rumoured to be involved in deadline day deals virtually every year.

Expect this year to be no different: according to some, including TSN’s Darren Dreger, there is interest in Stajan heading into March 4.

Rumours of Stajan being traded for Kyle Chipchura are laughable, but if the right deal comes along, don’t expect the young forward to be here long.

Stajan has reached a career high in points this year, netting 41 in 54 games.

He did miss time due to an eye injury, which no doubt hampered his stats. As a durable player and a hometown boy, Stajan is exactly the type of player the Leafs need.

He’s a stand up, character guy, who would fit nicely on the third line of the team and only time, will tell, but it looks like this could be the year the rumours become reality.

Dominic Moore:

A real bright spot for the Leafs this season, Moore, a waiver wire pickup under John Ferguson Jr., is generating a lot of buzz in the rumour mill and speaking with a few people, it is warranted.

There is some interest for the services of Dominic Moore.

The question then becomes, is he worth more to the Leafs to re-sign or to trade?

With a deep draft and Burke’s mandate to obtain as many picks and prospects as possible, it could be very likely Moore is dealt for something along the lines of a third round pick.

Having said that, there is no denying that Moore is the prototypical bottom six type player that Burke likes to have on his teams.

Jeremy Williams

Recent rumours of him asking for a trade are said to be false, however, Williams is not happy with his recent demotion to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Despite his scoring touch, most tend to agree that every team in the NHL has a prospect like Williams, which obviously hinders his trade-ability.

Don’t expect him to go anywhere unless in a packaged deal.

Boyd Devereaux

Under Brian Burke’s policy of calling up veterans in hopes they find a new home on re-entry waiver, Devereaux made his way back to the big club earlier this month, after he went unclaimed.

In three games he has no points and has 21 shots to show for his efforts.

Devereaux brings a fast, two-way style to the team and is believed to be auditioning for Brian Burke as to whether he should stay on the team in its bottom six.

There is a chance, like Williams, he is packaged into a deal.

The more likely reality, however, is he plays out the remainder of the season with the team. He is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

John Mitchell

While he left the game with an injury last night-the extent of which is not yet known-John Mitchell made the Maple Leafs out of training camp and has been a nice addition to the club, thus far.

Injuries have limited him to 56 games, but Mitchell has played well, notching 18-points.

While, it remains to be seen if he can continue to develop, both offensively and defensively, Mitchell has been a nice addition to the club and has provided some secondary scoring in his rookie year.

Mitchell should stick around and continue his climb upwards.

Mikhail Grabovski

A bit of an enigma here.

Grabovski started the season out on fire, and has since gotten considerably cold. All of this could of course be contributed to the “rookie wall.”

Grabovski had only played 27 NHL games before this season, so he is still on the learning curve.

Despite, the aforementioned wall, Grabovksi has shown several flashes of offensive upside, potting 29 points in 57 games.

Thirteen of those points are goals, four of which were scored on the power play.

Grabovski should learn from this season, and return next year refreshed and with all the tools to become a top six forward.

Ryan Hollweg

Has anyone seen or heard from this guy in months?

Hollweg has only gotten into 25 games this year, virtually all of which were under Cliff Fletcher, the man who traded for him.

A player that was brought in for a draft pick to add toughness did on some nights, but he also added headaches and goals against by several penalty filled exploits.

The Leafs would be lucky to get rid of him, though it likely won’t happen.

Brad May

Brought in by Brian Burke, May has added leadership and toughness to the team, at a very reasonable cost.

He won’t be moved, as he continues to help the younger guys along through the tough navigation that lies ahead.

Whether or not May re-signs for next year seems to be totally up to him.

If he wants to continue his NHL career, it is more than likely that he will do so in Toronto.

Alexei Ponikarovsky

My preverbal whipping boy.

Ponikarovsky is an all around frustrating guy.

A player with offensive upside and a big frame allows inconsistency and softness to get in the way of what could be a top six forward potential.

Still, he is good for about 20-goals a year and once all the big wingers are done on deadline day; some team may take a chance on him. 

Jason Blake

When I spoke with Darren Dreger last week, he assured me there was almost no interest in Blake at this point.

A player with too many years and too many dollars left on his deal, Blake also has a reputation that precedes him, which will make it nearly impossible to deal him away.

Niklas Hagman

Has a no trade clause for this year, the first of a four year deal.

Hagman has suffered through a few injuries; most notable and concerning are the ones to the head.

When he is healthy, Hagman has shown to be a force. He looks dangerous nearly every shift, and has the ability to create goals out of nothing.

Despite, being slowed by injuries this year, he is on pace for a season close to, or better, than his career year, which was last season.

Hagman is a keeper.

Nik Antropov

I don’t have much to say here, for fear of seeming silly or redundant.

Antropov is probably the Leafs most likely player to be dealt at the deadline. An expiring contract and a big body presence, he uses his size and skill to create opportunities or open up valuable space for teammates.

A big body and a willingness to go to the net, Antropov could do wonders for a team’s power play in the post season.

Nikolai Kulemin

Like the rookies mentioned above, there is no question it’s been a bit of a rough transition to the NHL for Kulemin.

Like Grabovski, he not only had to deal with the on ice transition, but had to learn the language. Still, much like Hagman, Kulemin has shown a nice offensive flare, with some strong physical play with and without the puck.

Once he gets comfortable there is no doubt the finish will be there. Kulemin has the potential to play on whichever line he wants. It is going to be up to him.

Lee Stempniak

As I remarked during last night’s game, I would pack his bags for him if it meant he would leave faster.

Unless, coming into a full year with the team next season refreshes Stempniak, he could become another bad contract for the Leafs.

Perhaps I am being too hard on him.

After all he does have 33-points in 55 games. Those numbers, however, could be a lot higher with some added finish.

Stempniak likely won’t move due to his contract, which goes up to $3.5 million next season.

Jamal Mayers

The man know as “Jam” to his teammates, Mayers has been a solid addition to the club.

He works hard every shift and has become an unofficial leader on and off the ice, for the team.

Some were upset the team traded away a third round pick to get Mayers, but once Brian Burke is able to recoup that through another trade, all will be well.

So there it is; the Toronto Maple Leafs roster audit for this season heading into the March 4th trade deadline.

Obviously until March 4^th passes this is all speculation.

I have presented above my opinions on each player and whether or not they should stay or go—the rest is not up to meit will be up to Brian Burke and his boys, who have until 3 p.m. next Wednesday to work some magic.