Where Can the Leafs Find a Talented Forward or Should They?

Speculation as to what the Toronto Maple Leafs need to solidify a position in the post-season has been bubbling and churning throughout Leafs Nation since the final whistle of the 2008-2009 regular season, when they beat Ottawa 5-2 catapulting them out of the John Tavares sweepstakes.

Now that Burke has made some minor moves, which result in perhaps four line-up changes, and a great new back-up goaltender, who may steal Toskala’s starting job should he falter, though he has brought in some faces that will hopefully be a factor in the future, is he going to pick up that coveted top line guy.

The names that stick out have been talked about quite a bit and analyzed, the biggest name being Phil Kessel who the Leafs were working a deal with, but which, obviously fell through. Most recently the Rangers newly released Nikolai Zherdev is still up for discussion in my mind and could fit in. Brendan Shanahan was mentioned, but has now been scooped up by the Devils, mind you old, but can still bury and would have brought another leadership role.

Top six forwards still out there in my mind are: Group 3 UFA’s Alex Tanguay, Robert Lang, Maxim Afinoganov, Todd Bertuzzi, Miroslav Satan, Sergei Fedorov and Victor Kozlov. Hey what about a return by Mats Sundin or even Dom Moore? Uh, NO, thanks!

Pretty slim pickings if you ask me. So really where we stand right now is exactly where we are and I hope we continue to build from the youth we have and develop them internally. With the Leafs signing Dallas Eakins as the Marlies coach I could see a lot of our young talent ending up down there close to home for those quick call-ups when and where needed. Under Eakins tutelage those young guys could be ready as early as next year to make the jump to the big club.

If the Leafs were to try and scoop someone on the down low and off the radar I would go after coveted Columbus Blue Jackets young gun Nikita Filatov, not that they would let him go, but for a Kaberle and a Stajan throw in a draft pick Columbus would solidify a team that made some noise last year. I would sign Filatov on the dotted line in a heartbeat and give him a good chunk of money, ship it send it chalk it and lock it!

The Leafs future has some bright spots but how patient are the fans and media going to be in the supposed Mecca of hockey that is Toronto.

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