Maple Leafs Notes: Pre Draft Thoughts

Anyone who has been a loyal reader of me since I joined BR back in December knows that as much as I love the on-ice product the NHL, and hockey in general provides, it's the off season activity that really gets me revved up.

In fact, I wouldn't argue a bit if you were to label me a draft/free agency "geek."

So with less than twenty-four hours before the first round of the draft commences live from Ottawa, It's time to look one last time at the Maple Leafs situation.

Nik Antropov

A very hot topic in Leafs Nation right now.

After finally delivering the type of season fans have been waiting for, some are wondering if the 10th anniversary of his draft day could be the day he is dealt.

It's a real catch 22 with the big Kazakh.

Was this past season an aberration?

Or is this the Antropov the Leafs have been patiently waiting for?

If he can deliver another 20+ goal season, he will be a big bargain at just $2 million, but this is his last year of that deal, so the risk of losing him to free agency for nothing is very real if he can repeat his numbers of one season ago.

Fletcher will obviously listen to all offers, and Antropov could be the player to deliver the Maple Leafs that second first round pick they are seeking.

Mark Bell

I'm sure Fletcher will try to move Bell, but will almost certainly be unsuccessful due to his salary and statistical output from last season.

With his DUI sentence behind him, Bell will more than likely to return to the Maple Leafs next season, where fans of the squad will hope he can find his physical form, and deliver a grinding style, while staying healthy and chipping in offensively from time to time. 

Jason Blake

Blake is a very interesting scenario.

Earlier this off-season there was reports Blake would welcome a trade, but he has since backed off from that statement.

It still won't stop Cliff Fletcher, who is likely to try and dangle Blake to obtain more draft picks.

However, with a cap hit of $4 million, Blake is unlikely to move, and Leafs fans should hope he returns to the Leafs lineup next season hoping to build on this past season.

I am not sure we will ever see another 40 goal season from the speedy American, but I think 25 is a pretty realistic number for Leafs fans, and Blake, to shoot for.

Alexei Ponikarovky

The Ukrainian born winger, the second half of the two towers that were drafted in 1998, Ponikarovsky had a solid season despite battling injuries.

What his trade value is?  Well, to be honest, I am not quite sure. 

He carries a cap hit of 2.1 million, scored 18 goals in 66 games last season, and could likely fetch a pick from the middle rounds of the draft, if the Maple Leafs dangle him.

Matt Stajan

After the season he had, especially when Mats Sundin went down to injury, I cannot see the Maple Leafs dealing Matt Stajan at this year's draft.

Stajan has been the subject of trade rumours every draft, and every trade deadline since coming to Toronto, but finally took that next step this season.

He posted career high numbers, and elevated his all around play when Sundin went down late in the season with an injury. 

Stajan took considerable strides in the leadership department this year.

Never say never, but I see the Maple Leafs holding onto Stajan, and qualifying him soon there after.

Alex Steen

See Matt Stajan.

Steen struggled at times offensively early this season, but rounded out to score 42 points in 76 games.

He was signed to an extension by Cliff Fletcher, which will keep him under contract until the 2010-2011 season. 

It is that contract that could make Steen more valuable.

Despite struggling to put up big numbers, Steen was one of the brighter defensive spots, and another youngster who really played a leadership role both on and off the ice.

The Leafs would be smart to keep him around, but I think Steen could be had for the right deal.

Mats Sundin

Andy Strickland of ESPN Radio reported that the Montreal Canadiens would be willing to trade for Mats Sundin's rights.

Although I think, with a long serving captain and face of the franchise, the Leafs will more than likely go right to July 1st and risk losing Mats to free agency than trade his rights to another team before the free agency period.

On the other hand, the Maple Leafs may be able to grab another 2nd round pick in exchange for dealing Mats.

But of course with a NTC, he would have to okay any deal, which may not be as hard as one may think.

At the deadline Mats declined to waive his no trade clause because he doesn't like the concept of the rental player.

He said if he were to go to another team, it would have to be for the whole season, start to finish. 

Makes you wonder if he would accept a trade of his rights now, since he would be joining the team for the start of the year.

Darcy Tucker

Is the obvious candidate for one of the few buyouts the Maple Leafs will be administering sometime within the next week?

Tucker has a NMC, and has deemed that he will not waive it, leaving the Leafs with little options.

They will more than likely ask Tucker to waive the NMC once again tomorrow night, and he will likely refuse again. 

It looks as though it is coming to a bitter end between the two, although some are intrigued to see what a coach like Ron Wilson could do to rejuvenate a player like Darcy Tucker.

Kyle Wellwood

Another injury for Wellwood; this time in offseason training.

Wellwood at this point has little to no trade value, with many people around the league saying he is a creative player, but he doesn't take the game, or his conditioning very serious.

Wellwood is a restricted free agent and the Maple Leafs must make the decision whether or not to qualify him.

The shifty center made $875,000 (Canadian) last season; an injury plagued one.

Under the rules of the CBA, a team must qualify an RFA at his current salary plus 10%, meaning despite his limited play, Wellwood is in line for a raise, should the Leafs choose to keep him.

Despite his injuries and knock on his fitness, Wellwood has shown to be a talented, creative player and is too young to give up on.

The Maple Leafs should qualify him for one more season, a make or break season.

Tomas Kaberle

A lot of people seem to be forgetting Kaberle has a NTC in his contract.

Kaberle has been the subject of various trade rumours, and really, for good reason.  The Czech born defenseman is under contract at a very reasonable $4.75 million, and is one of the more talented defenseman in the league with the puck on his stick.

However it look as though Kaberle is unwilling to waive his no trade clause and I think the Leafs will be better off for it. 

With a slew of young players, and more specifically rearguards, coming to the team, Kaberle will be an important leader, and calming influence on the back end.

If they could deal him, the return would certainly be fantastic, but it doesn't look likely right now.

Pavel Kubina

For better or worse, the Maple Leafs appear poised to trade Pavel Kubina, and it could very well happen at draft Friday night.

San Jose looks to be the prime destination, as it was at the trade deadline.  The Sharks dealt their first round pick to acquire Brian Campbell, so it appears the most the Maple Leafs will receive in return for Kubina will be a 2^nd round pick.

Kubina showed flashes of brilliance as the season wound down, and stepped up his game in critical situations as Toronto pushed for the playoffs.

With only two years left on a $5 million dollar deal, and with the cap rising and player cost increasing, Kubina's salary is no longer as much of a stumbling block anymore.

Kubina has a limited NTC, which sees a window from Friday's draft to August 15th in which the Maple Leafs can deal him. 

He is as good as gone, likely at the draft, with San Jose and Columbus looking to be the destinations.

Bryan McCabe

Earlier tonight McCabe's agent Ian Pulver said that the Leafs defenseman is not interested in waiving his NMC and if the Maple Leafs want to rid himself of his client, they would have to buy him out.

But also tonight, Pierre Lebrun confirmed that some GM's have said the Leafs are shopping McCabe around.

Game of poker anyone?

Who is bluffing here?

Are the Maple Leafs trying to gauge an interest in McCabe, hoping to go to him with a trade that could change his mind? 

Are McCabe and his agent simply trying to get more money from the Leafs by making them buy him out, then having him simply sign with another team?

We're not quite sure who is telling the truth, and until the summer comes and goes, and McCabe is, or isn't on the Leafs come October, we wont know.

Buying McCabe out doesn't appear to be an option, as it would be too much of a cap hit.

Andrew Raycroft

The Maple Leafs do have some options with Raycroft, and he certainly is not the most pressing issue the team has when it comes to dealing with players.

Rayzor is in the final year of his $2 million dollar deal, pretty expensive for a backup.  But really, it isn't the entire end all of the matter.

First off, the Maple Leafs could explore the trade route, however I think it is safe to say he doesn't have a big market.

Secondly, they can try waivers.  Send him down, and hope someone claims him; therefore the $2 million is off the books.

Even to get someone to claim him on re-Entry waivers, which will only cost the Maple Leafs $1 million for next season, a small cap hit when they should have lots of room.

Finally, they can just put up with him for one last season.  I mean he did win 37 games two years ago.

Toskala will get the bulk of the load, so put Raycroft in for the rest, and maybe sit him so, Pogge can see a few games in the NHL.

After all, the Maple Leafs will more than likely be near the bottom of the standings next season anyway, so what's the big deal is Raycroft loses them a few?

I actually think they are in a good spot with their backup goaltending situation.  Either have Clemmenson do it, or give the backup job to Raycroft, who is a perfectly decent backup. 

At next year's end, if all doesn't go well, we can all forget this ever happened.

Vesa Toskala

See Nik Antropov.  For the most part Toskala, who was acquired at last year's entry draft, is in a very similar situation to Antropov.

Toskala took a little while to warm up last year, but once he got rolling he got things done in the net for Toronto and proved he was capable of being the number one guy in goal.

However, with the Leafs seemingly poised to wallow near the bottom of the standings, some are saying a player the team can get the most value out of is Vesa, the Finnish born net-minder.

Like Kaberle, Toskala, who was drafted in 1995, will likely be a calming influence on the young Leafs squad, and is someone I would keep around.

His value is likely pretty high, and his return for Toronto would do a lot for them in terms of the rebuild, but it all starts in goal and I think the Maple Leafs have a young goalie who is capable of being a starter for years to come.

In my opinion the Maple Leafs should hang on to Toskala, despite the return he could bring in.

Final Thoughts

All in all, no matter what, any player who doesn't have a trade clause will be in play when Cliff Fletcher and the Maple Leafs scouting staff take a seat at their draft table tomorrow night.

As I always say, if Gretzky can be traded, anyone can be traded.

Hopefully this draft will pan out for the Maple Leafs.  After all, it has to.

The picks have to be, or at least turn into, bona-fide NHL talent— contributors at the big league level.

The trades have to be made to set this franchise up, both from a financial, and talent standpoint.

These next two days will be very important for the franchise and we get to watch it all unfold before our very eyes.

Watching.  Waiting.  Nervously.  Anxiously.