Brian Burke Gets Maple Leafs Tougher, But Where is the Offence?

After day one of the free agent frenzy it was pretty clear to see what Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was trying to accomplish with his team. Ever since taking over the reins last December this big Irishman said over and over again that the Leafs need to get bigger and tougher if they are to have success and be a Stanley Cup contender. Showing that he is a man of his word Burke who has an impressive track record which includes being the GM of the 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks made some moves that raised some eyebrows around the league. His first official signing was a man who has only 11 points but a whopping 549 penalty minutes in 245 career games. This player Colton Orr who scored only 5 points last season with the New York Rangers agreed to a four year deal worth four million. This 27 year-old had 193 penalty minutes which included 18 fights. At 6 foot 3 and 220 pounds this forward who has had 63 fights in his career is considered one of the toughest players in the league. Burke whose team better have a good penalty- killing unit this season also traded veteran Pavel Kubina and prospect Tim Stapleton to the Atlanta Thrashers for hard- hitting defenceman Garnet Exelby. In only 59 games last season with Atlanta this soon to be 28 year-old finished in the top 25 for body checks delivered. He averaged just under- 20 minutes of ice time last year with the Thrashers and is known for his nasty open ice hits. Exelby only had 7 assists last season but brings plenty of sandpaper shown by his 120 penalty minutes. Toronto added even more grit when they signed veteran free agent defenceman Mike Komisarek to a five- year deal worth 22.5 million. This All- Star and former Montreal Canadian who had 11 points and 121 penalties last year is known for his ability to block a lot of shots while playing physical in his own zone. During the draft in Montreal Burke ended up obtaining an elite fighter from the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) along with two solid players who are 6 foot 5 and 6 foot 6 respectably.