Maple Leafs Out Of PlayOffs, Sign A Hanson, Fined, Stripped of Draft Pick

Ever have one of those weeks when you find out you are out of the playoffs and the best news is that your team has signed one of the Hansons but then the NHL gives you a $500,000 fine and takes away one of your draft picks?

The Toronto Maple Leafs found out that they have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a franchise record fourth season in a row.

When they did the math and figure out they could not get into the playoffs, the Leafs hired an NCAA player from the Fighting Irish who is the son of one of the Hanson Brothers, made famous by the movies Slapshot and Slapshot II.

The Leafs made the news again when the NHL fined them $500,000 and took away a draft pick for going around their collective bargaining agreement.

When the Montreal Canadiens beat the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, they spoiled the Leafs last hope of climbing into a playoff spot. The Leafs are 32-32-13 for 77 points and are out of the playoffs even if they win all the rest of their games this season.

Toronto will miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year. That is the longest stretch without a playoff appearance in the history of the Leafs, one of the original members of the NHL.

Christian Hanson is the son of Dave Hanson. He is expected to play his first game for the Leafs on Friday in Philadelphia against the Flyers.

According to CP, the Leafs signed Jonas Frögren from Färjestads BK of the Elitserien, or the Swedish Elite League. Cliff Fletcher was in charge when Frogren's services were acquired last summer.

Frögren is known for being a strong, solid defenceman. He does not score many points but plays well at his end. He has played recently with the Swedish national team at the 2008 World Championships.

Hanson was with the NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish and at 6'4", 225 pounds, the 23-year-old is considered to be a sturdy two-way centre. He scored 16 goals and had 15 assists for 31 points in 37 games for the Fighting Irish this season.