Michael Grabner to Maple Leafs: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

Looking to bolster their front line heading into the 2015-16 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Michael Grabner from the New York Islanders on Thursday.   

The deal was announced on the Maple Leafs' official website, with the Islanders receiving Taylor Beck, Carter Verhaeghe, Matt Finn, Tom Nilsson and Christopher Gibson. 

The Maple Leafs are looking toward the future coming off of last season's disappointing 30-44-8 record. The franchise's 68 points were its fewest in a full season since 1996-97. 

Toronto President Brendan Shanahan told reporters in April, per Mike Brophy of NHL.com, that the franchise can no longer try to take shortcuts when it comes to building a roster that can compete for Stanley Cup titles: "The challenge in Toronto is not coming up with the plan but sticking to the plan. That is the hard part. Our vision is to draft and develop our own players. I think every decision we make has to be about building a winning organization that can sustain itself year after year after year through the draft."

Grabner does fit into Shanahan's plan for the future, though it will be interesting to see exactly how the Maple Leafs try to use him. He's just 27 years old, and he does have two seasons with at least 20 goals under his belt, so he can be an effective scorer in the right situation.

TSN's Bob McKenzie did note the Maple Leafs view Grabner's skill set highly with one potentially large caveat:

However, Grabner is also in the final season of his contract and will make $5 million, per Spotrac. The Maple Leafs could use his expiring contract as a way to create cap space for next season if he is plagued by injuries once again after playing just 34 games last year. 

Shanahan has a plan for the Maple Leafs, along with general manager Lou Lamoriello, and they are going about executing it as best they can. Grabner isn't a building block, but he can be a valuable role player for any team he plays for.