Life of Brian: A Look at What Burke Has to Work with in Toronto Going Forward

Becoming Brian Burke, or perhaps getting inside his head to see what he is thinking, is pretty much impossible.

And although it is obviously way too early to determine what moves the new Maple Leafs GM will make going forward, I'll give it a shot anyway.

Despite a feeble record so far in this NHL season, it is clear that the Maple Leafs, thanks in large to Cliff Fletcher, do have some positive pieces going forward. Still, there will be a lot of work for Burke to do in order to turn this team into a Stanley Cup contender within the six year time frame of his contract.

For the purpose of this exercise, the Maple Leafs roster has been broken down into three parts. The keepers, the traders, and the questions. Also, for the sake of argument, I will not be including most of the Toronto Marlies roster, instead focusing on only the big squad, along with some of the Leafs top prospects.

Please also note there is no particular order in which these players have been ranked.

The Keepers

Niklas Hagman

Proving to be one of the better free agent signings of the past summer, Hagman has been a key to the teams success. He is a crafty player who can make something out of nothing, and has been important in making rookies Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin feel comfortable in their first full NHL seasons. 

Mikhail Grabovski

While it may be a little early to call "Grabby" a keeper, he is certainly looking like a solid offensive addition to the Maple Leafs roster. Having been endorsed as a good move by Burke, Grabovski is likely safe and should continue to get important minutes for the Leafs going forward.

His "lack of effort" in which the Canadiens condemned him for, has been a myth since coming to Toronto. Known for offense, he also backchecks, an isn't a liability on the ice. Could be a real solid second line player for the Leafs for years to come.

Luke Schenn

This one is obvious. Drafted fifth overall by Fletcher this past summer—another move Burke highly approved of—Schenn has fit in well for the Maple Leafs all season while logging quality, important minutes. He went through a bit of a lull the last month, but solid games against Ottawa and Philadelphia have Schenn looking back on track. Should be a defensive cornerstone for years to come, and definitely future captain material.

Nikolai Kulemin

Similar to Grabovski, it may be too early to call Kulemin a keeper. If Kulemin had to be included in a blockbuster trade to make it work, Burke would likely do it. But still, the young Russian has shown some jump in his first year in the NHL.

After suffering a long goalless drought in which he was nearly invisible, Kulemin notched the Leafs lone goal in a 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa this past Thursday, and result had the skilled winger brimming with confidence.

Not a natural scorer, Kulemin plays a hard two-way style, and paired with the right teammates, should get opportunities to tally goals and points.

Justin Pogge

Yes, he is a keeper. For now. While Pogge isn't having a fantastic year in the AHL, he has been solid, and his record may be more a product of the team in front of him.

Pogge looked good during the pre-season, and should figure into the Leafs plans as early as late this year. He has had bumps in the road, but has proven to be a solid goaltender in pressure situations. While some ar on the fence, at this point, Pogge is deemed a keeper.

Jeff Finger

You heard Burke, he wants four offensive defenseman and two checkers. So far in this season, Finger fits the mold of a defensive, checking defenseman, and thus earns a spot as a keeper.

Finger has been solid, if unspectacular this year for the Leafs, and is proving to be like an offensive lineman in the NFL. If you don't hear about him much, it's a good thing. Though his contract seemed outrageous at the time, Finger is basically on par with other defenseman (the NHL's hottest commodities) and combined with his leadership abilities should be a shoo-in on the Leafs back end.

Dominic Moore

Like Rob Neidermayer in Anaheim, Moore will likely be the constant third-line centre/penalty-killer for the Toronto Maple Leafs going forward. Moore, almost a godsend to the Leafs after being put on waivers, has won over Leafs fans with great speed, scoring touch, and a willingness to get his nose dirty. Moore is young, a tenacious team player, and comes with a small price tag, which should keep him on this team in it's bottom six.

Anton Stralman

It's too early to give up on Stralman yet. The Swedish born defenseman was drawing comparisons to Niklas Lidstrom in his homeland, which had more than a few members of Leafs Nation excited. While Stralman seemed to take a step backwards early being platooned on the back end, he looks more comfortable now, and once young mistakes like mistiming a pinch are solved, he could really become another Tomas Kaberle for the Maple Leafs.

John Mitchell

While he has looked a little out of sync since returning from a shoulder injury, guys like John Mitchell don't come along every day. A young, local kid who never gives up and takes great pride in playing for the Maple Leafs. Again, if he is the difference between a blockbuster happening, or being shot down, Burke may move him, but still, Mitchell has size, speed, and is a smart player which should get him plenty of chances to score in the future for Toronto.

Jamal Mayers

Brought to the team in a controversial draft-day trade, Mayers has been marginal for the Maple Leafs on the ice this year, but his contributions in the dressing room, as well as in the community, are what make him likely to stay with the club in it's bottom six.

He fits the mold of what Burke said he wanted: A bottom six consisting of grinders, and a group of players who gives to the community. Mayers, a lifelong NHL grinder, already has three charities set up in Toronto, and is all about giving back. Though I wouldn't put him in the same keepers category as some, he fits Burke's description, and will likely stick around.

The Traders

Alexei Ponikarovsky

Ponikarovski will always be one of those players that tempts you. On one hand, he is good for around 20 goals a season, and most of those goals are solid snap shots that have some zing to them. On the the other hand, he frequently misses glorious opportunities, and, despite being 6'4", doesn't have much a physical element to be found. 

Since two of the team previous "tempt you" players were dealt last week, I wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt, either. The only question would be to whom, and for what? Unless included in a package, don't expect much in return for the Ukrainian.

Nik Antropov

On the other end of the Twin Towers spectrum is Antropov, who, despite being perceived as slow, has had his best years of hockey in the new, wide-open NHL. Antropov is a pending free agent and his big body, along with his willingness to go to the net, may make him an attractive option for playoff bound teams at this year's trade deadline. A poor mans Tomas Holmstrom, Antropov uses size and strength to over match opponents, and scores most of his goals not far from the blue paint.

Tomas Kaberle

While he decided against waiving his no-trade clause last deadline day, word is spreading that the Czech-born defenseman, a Leafs draft pick, is a little more willing this time around. Drafted in the eighth round, has been with the Leafs for 10 seasons and is one of the more underrated defenseman in the league. 

Despite being knocked for his lack of shooting, Kaberle is a premiere passer and sees the ice almost as good as anybody. Of all the tradeable assets, Kaberle will likely net the Leafs the biggest prize.

Pavel Kubina

Not far behind Kaberle will likely be his countryman, Kubina. Kubina, much maligned in his first two seasons as a Leaf, has stepped up in his third year and proved he can be a top pairing defenseman in the NHL.

He has 11 points in 23 games this year, and has a booming shot which is useful on the Maple Leafs power play. Kubina is having his best year to date, and, despite a no-trade clause, there isn't much worry that Burke will have a problem getting the big defender to "waive" goodbye to Toronto.

Vesa Toskala

As it stands right now, there likely isn't much of a market for the Finnish goaltender. But, as the season wears on, and should Toskala continue to build on strong starts against Ottawa and Philly, he may be a sought-after commodity as teams prepare for a playoff push. Signed to a $4 million dollar deal, Toskala is capable of giving a team solid goaltending and has playoff experience with San Jose. 

The Question Marks

Jason Blake

While there is no doubt that the Maple Leafs would like to move Blake, his salary makes it almost impossible. Let's not forget that, despite his image of being a hard ass (much of it deserved), Burke is a self-assessed "players' GM," and with Blake's medical condition, would only move him under circumstances that would work for everyone. Still, the Maple Leafs would like nothing more than to get his $5 million off the books for good.

Jiri Tlusty

Tlusty was drafted 13th overall by the Leafs and didn't look out of place last season, even getting ice time with Mats Sundin. However, a slow start and a lack of commitment to the game plan saw Tlusty eventually get demoted to the AHL's Marlies, and thus his future with the Leafs is slightly in question.

Tlusty has seven points in 13 games since his demotion and is a minus-3. With quick hands, Tlusty still has the ability, given time, to be in the Leafs' top six. However, as of now, he is quickly falling behind youngsters like Grabovski, Hagman, and Mitchell. With talented forwards like Jummy Hayes and Chris Didomenico waiting in the wings, it won't get easier for Tlusty.

Ryan Hollweg

Hollweg was brought in to police for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that was beat on a lot last season. When Burke said Saturday that he wanted this team to get tougher, and would look to add toughness, Hollweg must have gotten a little worried.

It seems his days, at least as a regular, are numbered in Toronto. Tough-guy callup Andre Deveaux has earned praise from media, fans, and coaches for not only his willingness to fight, but his solid two-way effort that he brings on a consistent basis. Hollweg, a one-dimensional forward, may be in danger.

Curtis Joseph

The Maple Leafs, and Joseph, are in a tough spot. A fan favourite brought in to mentor the younger players and help out in goal when called upon, Joseph hasn't been up to par this season and is looking early like the game has passed him by. 

Still, the whole goaltending situation was a mess, and once Toskala gets going again, Joseph may be a little more comfortable doing the minimum that is asked of him. He remains a question because he likely won't be an attractive option for any teams going forward, and Burke likely wont move him, as it is widely speculated this is his last season in the NHL, and could stay on with the Leafs as a goalie coach.

Ian White

On one hand, White is valuable to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A young, versatile player who has some offensive game, and has shown a willingness to not back down, despite his small stature. On the other hand, that may make him attractive to other teams, where White fits better as a forward, or a defenseman. 

The Leafs will have to determine whether putting White at forward is a short-term solution, or something they can run with. If it's not a full-time fit, he may be a great trading asset.

Jonas Frogren

While he fits Burke's mold for a bottom pair of hard-hitting-type defensemen, Frogren may be lost on the shuffle because he is at best a sixth or seventh defenseman, and though he is a solid checking defender, it would solely depend on whom the Leafs get in return in trades that determine Frogren's staying power with the club.

Andre Deveaux

I thought of leaving Deveaux out of this evaluation because it wouldn't be fair to judge him on two games, and I won't. But I did want to give him a pat on the back for the work he has done in his limited time with the big club.

He almost scored on his first shift on a nifty wrap-around, has thrown his body, and his fists around, and made a strong two-way play which led to a Leafs goal against Philadelphia. It's too early, but Deveaux's versatility and toughness may make him the enforcer the Leafs have been looking for, and someone whom Burke will be more than happy to have.

While it isn't concrete, and will likely change on a game-by-game basis, there is a breakdown of the Maple Leafs roster, and potential moves that could be made by the new general manager.

Just a reminder, the Leafs are in action tonight as they travel west to battle the Kings in Tinseltown. Game time is 10:30 p.m. Eastern. Be on the lookout for a full recap tomorrow morning.