Brian Burke: “We Are Not Rebuilding" Then You Need To Do This!

My first article was about a trade with the Dallas Stars, made many comments regarding Brad Richards and stated again in my new rant called “My Leafs Soapbox”. Now I see a similar opportunity with the Washington Capitals.

I wanted to revisit this trade with Dallas for Brad Richards, but Cale Loney wrote a great article “Brad Richards: The Answer for the Toronto Maple Leafs” and basically took the words right out of my mouth. So, I am not going to repeat what Loney wrote, but I am going to add a twist.

When I first wrote “One Trade the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Look Into with Dallas” about three months ago.

I gave many examples as to why this can be beneficial for both teams, which Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin could help Dallas with their not so impressive back-end.

Plus the self-imposed cap, that makes it problematical for Joe Nieuwendyk to sign players due to the Dallas ownership troubles. Finally, Double B. will get the top six forwards he has been looking for.

At this point Dallas has a reasonable win/lose record at 8-5 and 0 OT for 16 Points. My question is, how long can Dallas stay on the win column side? I personally do not think for too long before reality hits Dallas, as it did for the Leafs. Hopefully Double B. keeps a close eye on Dallas’ situation.

Now let’s look at how Washington Capitals fits into the grand scheme. The player in my equation is no other then Alexander Semin.

I know what you are thinking “Michael You’re Nuts! Well let’s look at it logically. Let’s start with the numbers. Semin cap hit is $6 million, which bring Washington Cap space to $3.263 million.

Also, do not forget this is a contract year for Semin, as Semin will be an URA next season.

This is an important year for Washington as the team is under a whole heap of pressure to win the Stanley Cup and I believe Jean-Sebastien Giguere can be the answer for them.

Washington is one of the superior teams in the east and will go on winning streaks, but the one problem with Washington, or their Achilles Heel, is that the Capitals has never had a proven goalie.

Look at Washington’s past two playoffs performances that were unsuccessful, due to not having a strong goalie. Some may argue, but let’s look at the facts Jose Theodore, Semyon Varlamove and now Michal Neuvirth.

I do not see any cup winning goalie there. The only goalie that came close is when Olaf Kolzig played and Ron Wilson was the head coach.   

Players I see involved:

To Dallas: Tomas Kaberle at 4.25 million and Francois Beauchemin at $3.8 million

To Toronto: Brad Richards at $7.8 million and Adam Burish at $1.150

To Washington: Jean-Sebastien Giguere at $6 million

To Toronto: Alexander Semin at $6 million

New Leafs Roster:

Phil Kessel: $5.400m - Brad Richards: $7.800m - Alexander Semin: $6.000m

Clarke MacArthur: $1.100m - Tyler Bozak: $3.725m - Nikolai Kulemin: $2.350m

Colby Armstrong: $3.000m - Mikhail Grabovski: $2.900m - Kris Versteeg: $3.083m

Mike Brown: $0.537m - Adam Burish: $1.150m - Colton Orr: $1.000m

Dion Phaneuf; $6.500m - Mike Komisarek: $4.500m

Brett Lebda: $1.450m - Luke Schenn: $2.975m

Korbinian Holzer: $0.700m - Carl Gunnarsson: $0.800m

Simon Gysbers: $0.900m

Jonas Gustavsson: $1.350m - Jussi Rynnas: $1.950m

Buyouts: Darcy Tucker: $1.000m

Salary Cap: $59,400,000

Cap Payroll: $60,170,833

Bonuses: $1,640,000

Cap Space: $869,167

Double B needs to be patient for the right opportunity to make these kinds of trades with Dallas and Washington to retool the Leafs. When Dallas starts going on a losing streak and knowing there is no ownership in sight, Double B should make the call to Joe Nieuwendyk.

Also, as the NHL move near the trading deadline Double B. needs to keep a very close eye on Washington’s goalies and their performance. If both Washington goalies are struggling, hopefully Double B. makes a call to George McPhee.

I know all of you are disagreeing with me. My questions to you, if the Capitals see they are in need of a goalie, will George McPhee make a trade for one? And, if Semin continues to put up impressive numbers will the Capitals have Cap Space for him next season? My answer is yes to my first question and no to the second question.

I really doubt the Capitals can keep this team together for long, especially if the team does not win the Stanley Cup this year.

Washington kind of reminds me of what happened to Ottawa of having Patrick Lalime in net for those playoff-runs and all the big names.

And look at Ottawa now, all gone with no Stanley Cup to show. I see the Capitals making the same mistake if George McPhee does not find a proven goalie this year.

The point is Brian Burke wants to retool the team, not rebuild. Then Double B. needs to do something like this!

I personally do not agree with Double B. methods to retool the Leafs.

I prefer to rebuild the Leafs instead. That’s for another article.

Cheers!