Maple Leafs GM likes to get something for nothing

Tyler Brenner, photo by Josh Barber

Leafs' News: Burke's free agents and undrafted players

Toronto Maple Leafs General manager Brian Burke loves to get quality players, what he terms “assets”, through signing NHL free agents and undrafted NCAA college hockey players. From the day two and a half years ago when Burke took over the Buds – November 29, 2008 – only 3 Leafs remain with the big club: Grabovski, Kulemin and Schenn, while Jeff Finger is still with the system, playing for the Marlies. If you could keep 3 players from that roster, who would your 3 be? Burke and Co kept the diamonds in the rough...

Colton Orr, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Gustavsson, Clarke MacArthur, Brett Lebda, Colby Armstrong and a few others were all signed by Burke as free agents, and the Leafs were able to lock them in on 2 to 4 year deals. Armstrong is currently signed to a three-year, $9 million deal, while Orr is on a four-year, $4 million contract; both very reasonable. Komisarek is pricey as he's signed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract and Gustavsson has a two-year, $2.7 million deal which is just about right. The Beauchemin trade to Anaheim has already brought us Joffrey Lupul, and D-man Jake Gardiner should get time with the big club next season.

Undrafted college players signed by Burke include Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and this week, Rochester player Tyler Brenner. Even NCAA hockey players that don't make the big club can be helpful, as they can be chess pieces used to acquire players needed, by utilizing 2-for-1 and 3-for-1 type trades.

Here's another example of turning something minimal into something with promise. In June of 2010 the Leafs traded Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis to Chicago for Kris Versteeg and the rights to to Bill Sweatt. In February 2011 Versteeg was moved to Philadelphia for a 1st round and a 3rd round draft pick. The leafs were unable to sign Sweatt (Vancouver prospect now) but it will be interesting to see who the 1st round draft pick brings to Toronto.

Getting a couple solid draft picks for renting out Tomas Kaberle for a few months was also a heist, and if Boston Bruins make the Stanley Cup finals, we'll get a 2nd rounder to boot!



Maple Leafs versus Minnesota Wild; Last Man Standing

Still, tonight's game against the Minnesota Wild is do-or-die for both teams, so something's gotta give. After this shinny in Minny, one team will be shining their golf clubs readying for an early Spring, while the other will be sharpening their skates for a final Stanley Cup playoffs push