Toronto Maple Leafs 2011: Brian Burke's Offseason Game Plan
Regardless of whether or not the Maple Leafs make the playoffs this season, fans can't help but be excited for the future.
With this in mind it's worth taking a quick glance at some possible offseason challenges that management is soon to face.
Brian Burke has already answered a few questions by confirming that no coaching changes will take place between this season and next, and that he will not be pursuing a No. 1 goalie in the offseason.
However, while Ron Wilson and James Reimer seemed to have secured jobs for next season, many questions remain to be answered.
The following is an offseason to-do list for Brian Burke. At the end of this slideshow I will announce what I hope will be the Leafs roster at the start of next season.
Re-Sign Tim Brent
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Brent is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he doesn't re-sign with the Leafs.
He has turned out to be a pleasant surprise this year, and for various reasons, deserves a contract extension.
Brent can be an effective third or fourth line center. He has the ability to be a grinder at both ends of the ice, and in all situations. His most attractive asset may be his shot-blocking ability on the penalty kill.
Burke will be hard pressed to find such an effective bottom six forward for the same price, so this move should be all but certain.
Re-Sign or Trade Clarke MacArthur
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MacArthur burst onto the scene in Toronto this season and found immediate success to the surprise of many. Playing on a line with Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin, he has found a great deal of chemistry, resulting in top line minutes and consistent point production.
While the Leafs would be thrilled to keep MacArthur in the fold, Burke has noted that it's difficult to put a price tag on his worth going forward. You can be sure that Burke will not overpay, so if MacArthur prices himself too high he may be on the way out of town.
In the end I expect MacArthur will re-sign and the Leafs will be happy going into next season with a solid second line.
Retain Nazem Kadri
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Since being drafted I have been fearful that Leafs would trade Nazem Kadri. I know that he was a Burke choice, but let's be honest, Burke was targeting Braden Schenn.
Kadri is a small forward with amazing offensive abilities, but he has had trouble cracking the Leafs roster because of poor defensive play.
Ironically, an injury to Colby Armstrong may have secured Kadri a spot going forward. During his most recent call up, Kadri has impressed at both ends of the ice.
He clearly needs more time to develop, but is no doubt ready to play at the NHL level on a consistent basis.
Unfortunately, Kadri will not fit into Burke's top six forward group next season if the Leafs general manager is successful in acquiring a No. 1 center. But Kadri has shown that he can be effective on the third line.
Hopefully Burke is as convinced as I am.
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Keep a Young Defense Core in Tact
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The Leafs have a solid young group of defenseman currently playing for them. However, three are set to become restricted free agents.
Luke Schenn, Keith Aulie and Carl Gunnarsson have all proven their value to the Leafs going forward. Each of the three have fit in extremely well and have silenced any doubts regarding their play over the past few months.
Aulie seems to be the perfect partner for Dion Phaneuf, Gunnarsson continues to grow offensively while learning to play strong in the defensive end and Schenn has been an absolute rock all season long.
Burke must re-sign each of these three to fair market value and retain an excellent young defensive group going forward.
Trade Mike Komisarek for a Bag of Pucks
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Chances are the title either makes you laugh or infuriates you. It was written, of course, half-jokingly.
Granted, he has suffered through a few key injuries and has been playing in a diminished role, but the bottom line is Komisarek has yet to meet expectations in Toronto.
However, the reason I say trade Komisarek has less to do with his play than it does with the Leafs cap situation.
I already stated that Burke must re-sign Aulie, Gunnarsson and Schenn. When he does so it will leave little room for Komisarek's $4.5 million salary.
The Leafs would be better off trading Komisarek, that is, if they can. He clearly has value, but his price tag will be hard to move.
Get a Puck-Moving Defenseman
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Following the departure of Tomas Kaberle, the Leafs have a need for a puck-moving defenseman. While the Leafs have generally thrived without Kaberle, their power play remains atrocious.
John-Michael Liles name popped up around the trade deadline as a possible target of the Maple Leafs. However, at 30 years of age he may be slightly old for the Leafs going forward.
The free-agent waters are not too deep when it comes to skilled defenseman, so expect Burke to swap some assets in a trade if he wants to fill this void on the back end.
Clean Up the Crease
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James Reimer deserves a ton of credit and a vote of confidence going forward. Reimer has almost single-handedly resurrected what was turning out to be a tumultuous season in Leafs Nation.
The Leafs cannot make the mistake of going into training camp next season with a crowded crease. Although the Monster will likely go on to find success elsewhere, he has got to go.
Burke must fully commit to Reimer by getting rid of the Monster and finding a decent veteran backup. Jean-Sebastien Giguere remains an option, but he will most likely want to play elsewhere in a starting role, so other options will be more plausible.
Healthy competition for jobs may work in certain situations, but not this one. Reimer deserves a vote of confidence, so hopefully Burke will give it to him by cleaning up the crease.
Get a No. 1 Center
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The most glaring hole on the Leafs roster remains the position of top line center. Brad Richards name will continue to pop up prior to July 1.
If Richards goes to free agency you can be sure that Burke will make a solid push to acquire his services. Centering a first line between the likes of Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul, Richards would no doubt look great in a Leafs uniform.
If Burke does not get Richards for a variety of possible reasons don't expect him to hold back from pulling the trigger on a major deal.
One way or the other, going into training camp the Leafs will have a legitimate No. 1 center.
2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs Roster
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As promised, here is my projected roster.
Forwards
1st Lupul / Richards / Kessel
2nd Kulemin / Grabovski / MacArthur
3rd Armstrong / Bozak / Kadri
4th Orr / Brent / Brown
Defense
Phaneuf / Aulie
Schenn / Liles
Gunnarsson / Lashoff
Goalies
Reimer / Boucher
Enjoy the offseason, as it's sure to be busy in Leafs Nation!
Follow me on Twitter @that_hockey_guy
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