Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke Says Changes Loom: Let The Speculation Begin!

In a recent Star.com article, columnist Vinny Melon reported that he had recently had lunch with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke and was able to ask questions that have been on the minds of most Leafs fans for some time.

Burke is still sticking with his man behind the bench in Ron Wilson. That statement should come as no surprise as he has said that right from the beginning, although even the most staunch supporters of Wilson have started to turn their backs on him—including yours truly.

That's another story.

The statement that caught perhaps the most attention, that came with the most shock value, was this one.

"We're at a critical point of the schedule where most of the games are against Eastern Conference teams. We need some regulation wins if we're going to get back in there. And we haven't seen the progress that we'd like to see. So we're looking to be active again as soon as we come out of the trade freeze."

The statement wasn't a shock so much in the fact that it wasn't obvious, it was more of a shock simply to hear Brian Burke admit it so candidly. 

With this statement in mind, let's explore a few scenarios that may benefit the Leafs immediately. Some of the scenarios that are proposed may make sense, some may not. They are not rumors, but pure speculation on my behalf and should be taken as such.

1) Washington's Alex Semin to Toronto for Simon Gysbers, Tomas Kaberle and Jussi Ryannas.

The first thing that will jump out at you about this one is Tomas Kaberle. It has been well documented that Brian Burke will not ask him to rescind his no-trade clause. The truth is if Burke wants to make a move to immediately improve this team, he is likely going to have to pop the question.

Washington would like this trade not only because of the veteran presence of Kaberle, but also the potential of both Gysbers and Ryannas.

Gysbers specifically would be appealing to a Washington organization that has very little, if anything, in the way of defensive prospects.

2) Dallas' Brad Richards to Toronto for Luca Caputi, Mike Komisarek and Andrew Crescenzi.

The Leafs are obviously in need of a No. 1 center and Richards will certainly fit that need. Richards may in fact not be headed anywhere depending on the day of the week, but if he makes it to free agency, there will be no shortage of suitors with deep pockets.

The Stars would find Komisarek appealing, despite what Leafs fans may think of him. Capable of playing big minutes—but in need a short leash—Komisarek's veteran presence would help a defensive corps that has an average age of just 28.

3) New Jersey's Travis Zajac to Toronto for Brett Lebda, Christian Hanson, John Mitchell and Sam Carrick.

The Leafs address their center issue with this trade and though the sentiment is that Devils GM Lou Lamoriello will do anything to hang on to Zajac, his hands may be tied to a degree.

The signing of Ilya Kovalchuk created all kinds of problems for the team. However, there were some already there, such as the Devils having nine roster players that have non-movement clauses of some sort.

The additions of Hanson and Carrick will give the Devils a little added depth in their system while Lebda and Mitchell are both inexpensive NHL players that can have some impact in the short term and have the advantage for Lamoriello of being expiring contracts (Mitchell this year, Lebda next).

These are only three examples of trades that could immediately help the Leafs. Speculation will definitely heat up as the end of the holiday trade freeze approaches.

In all three of the trade scenarios above, the salaries work for both teams and in each case, the Leafs actually take on a little more salary for the remainder of the season. The fact that Burke would willingly take a bad deal and bury it in the minors if it makes sense for the Leafs can also make any potential deals even more enticing

The fact of the matter is trades for middle of the road players during the season rarely have much of an impact, simply because they aren't impact-type players. With that in mind, it doesn't make much sense to try to make a trade that isn't going to net an impact player.

There are going to be changes, but this time around you can expect that any changes will have an immediate impact.

Burke may make mistakes, but the one thing I've learned is that he learns and moves on.

On a personal note, I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you readers for your support and loyalty over the past year. Your comments and insight have been a blessing and help me grow daily as a writer. For that I am truly grateful.

Thank you all and best of the holiday season to you and yours!