Maple Leafs benefit from being sellers at trade deadline

Burke's wizardry continues as new squad starting to gel

In the great fun of this 2011 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs run, few mention how different it is than many of the previous fruitless late run efforts of the past six or seven years. The Maple Leafs were major sellers at the NHL trade deadline, showing faith in the farm and building a stronger Leafs system from top to bottom. After pulling off the Phaneuf / Aulie deal last year, Brian Burke was at it again in 2011, creating room for promotions to the top squad and stuffing the Marlies with players hungry for a shot at the bigs.

What we got:

Joe Colborne, 21 - Young, big, solid, steady centre

Jake Gardiner, 20- Young, skilled Team USA junior / US college defender has now signed 3 year deal with Leafs, already playing with Marlies

Joffrey Lupul, 27 - Injury reclamation project with upside

Aaron Voros, 29 - Big strong forward came from Anaheim for 7th rounder, while Mitchell went to NYR for 7th rounder, so consider it Mitchell for Voros and let's see

Boston Bruins' 1st round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia Flyers' 1st round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia Flyers' 3rd round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

New York Rangers' 2012 7th round pick


What we may get:

2012 2nd round pick from Boston, should they make Stanley Cup finals, or re-sign Tomas Kaberle.


What we gave up:

2 to 3 months of Tomas Kaberle, 33

Francois Beachemin, 30

Kris Versteeg, 24

John Mitchell, 26

2011 7th round pick


Fuckin' brilliant!