Connolly, Rynnas and Holzer for Luongo?

Vancouver Canucks - Toronto Maple Leafs trade possibilities Though I am not a fan of Luongo's contract, it is a fact that Toronto is one of the few teams that require goaltending AND have the ability to take on that contract. If Brodeur and Vokoun re-sign with their respective teams and the Leafs are not impressed with Harding and Clemmensen, then Luongo becomes the main name in play.

No way Jose regarding Gardiner, Kessel or Lupul

Now, Vancouver is likely to ask for Gardiner straight up, and Burke would be wise to chuckle at that idea and respond with "How about Franson?"

Then Vancouver will ask for Kesel or Lupul, knowing full well they can't get BB to give up on Phil Kessel, as that would mean having traded two firsts and a second for an aging goalie...

So the Canucks will press hard for Lupul, which should only be considered by the Leafs if the Canucks have a big forward prospect that is close to NHL-ready, however even then it will be best to try and keep Lupul, at least until the trade deadline when we will know whether we are buying or selling.

Connolly could be a good fit in Vancouver, and if the Leafs add in Rynnas, that would pair Luongo and Reimer with the Leafs, and Scrivens and Owuya with the Marlies. That still won't be enough to get the deal done, so let's add one D and call it a deal.

To Toronto: Roberto Luongo

To Vancouver: Connolly, Rynnas and one of Holzer, Lashoff or Komisarek.

Comments, anyone?

Luongo's long deal not likely for Leafs

Considering that the Maple Leafs have two goalies appearing NHL-ready (Reimer, Scrivens) and one super hot prospect (Owuya), their need to bring in a number one starter may be for a year or two only. This means that Luongo's contract, with 10 years and $50 million to go, is more likely to end up in Tampa than Toronto.

Ideally, the Leafs would land a free agent, keeping the cupboard full to trade for a big forward. Here are the best 2012 NHL free agent goaltenders:

15 Martin Brodeur NJD 59 2.41 .908

22 Tomas Vokoun WSH 48 2.51 .917

26 Scott Clemmensen FLA 30 2.57 .913

Here are all the NHL goalies currently making a mil or more and are 2012 free agents:

Cristobal Huet Chicago Blackhawks $5,625,000

Martin Brodeur New Jersey Devils $5,200,000

Dwayne Roloson Tampa Bay Lightning $3,000,000

Antero Niittymaki San Jose Sharks $2,000,000

Chris Mason Winnipeg Jets $1,850,000

Michael Leighton Philadelphia Flyers $1,550,000

Dan Ellis Anaheim Ducks $1,500,000

Tomas Vokoun Washington Capitals $1,500,000

Jonas Gustavsson Toronto Maple Leafs $1,350,000

Johan Hedberg New Jersey Devils $1,250,000

Scott Clemmensen Florida Panthers $1,200,000

Alex Auld Ottawa Senators $1,000,000



The best value currently is Nabokov at 570k but he just got re-signed by the Islanders for $2.75 mil on a one year deal.



Summary:

Leafs should offer Brodeur a 2 year deal, if he's not available, then go after Vokoun or Clemmensen. Brodeur is worth $4 mil per year, while Vokoun will likely get $3 mil, and Clemmensen will move to the $2.3 mil range.

Leafs prospect Jerry D'Amigo an AHL rising star

As if Brian Burke didn't already have a cupboard overflowing with NHL prospects, and along comes Jerry D'Amigo's four goals in the first two games of the American Hockey League's Calder Cup playoffs. In late season rankings, D'Amigo placed only #18 on my Top 25 Toronto Maple Leafs 25 Years of Age and Under.

After a 15 goal regular season, I imagined D'Amigo as a key but not crucial piece in a Rick Nash trade. Now that he has emerged as a potential deal maker, I'm not so sure I want to let him go, for the same reason I wanna keep Naz, and that is I believe Kadri may very well outscore Nash over the next 5 to 7 years. Could D'Amigo also have that much potential, or at least be a solid big game player, as he has been for the USA National Juniors team?

In any case, if Toronto had to give up one of Kadri or D'Amigo (plus Connolly and other assets) to get Nash, consider that Jerry and Rick are both right wingers, so if Nash comes in, we have Kessel and Nash at that position and D'Amigo would be bumped further down the depth chart.

It's only been two games, however with D'Amigo's ascendance to AHL playoffs star, it is refreshing to be able to consider a much wider range of options for Leafs moves this June, and they are likely to add a proven NHL goalie before even looking at Nash. Stay tuned.

Rick Nash to Maple Leafs trade means BIG cap hit

I realize many people want to include Nazem Kadri in a Nash trade, however as I believe Naz will outscore Nash over the next 5 years, I think that would be overpaying. If I am BB, I only want Nash if the Blue Jackets are looking to get out of the longterm commitment, and are willing to take back contracts that expire sooner than Rick's, plus prospects.

To the Blue Jackets:

Connolly, Komisarek, D'Amigo and Rynnas plus either Holzer or Lashoff

To the Maple Leafs:

Nash, Mason

This could be tweaked, but any thoughts of sending Gardiner away are crazy. Should someone offer Columbus a better deal, good for them, but Burke has built a solid foundation here (GO MARLIES!!!) and the top prospects need to be kept in the system. D'Amigo has decent potential, but as another American, the Leafs may not be the best place for him to develop.

TEN Reasons why the Maple Leafs are the team to watch in 2012-2013

Here are my Top Ten reasons for beleafing that Toronto will have the biggest rise of any team in 2012-2013:

1. We were close - In early February, the Maple Leafs were in 6th place in the East, and only 7 points behind Boston for the divisional championship. Other than the games against Boston, the Maple Leafs were competitive against most teams.

2. Phil Kessel - Playing without a centre that can score goals or set them up at a first line level, Kessel became a Top Ten scorer in the NHL. With a decent centre, he will be a 40-goal, 90 point player.

3. Jake Gardiner - While many had him pegged for the Marlies last season, my blog advised Jake to head into training camp believing that he is in charge of the Maple Leafs power play. Everyone gave the job to Liles in advance, however having watched Jake play for the USA for years, I knew he had the zazz the Leafs needed. This past season he just started to dominate offensively in the last few months, and his progress should vault him into top pairing status next year.

4. Randy Carlyle - The guy is a detailed strategist and motivator with a proven ability to win big hockey games, and doesn't seem like the type to be affected by T-dot pressures.

5. James Reimer - If a #1 goalie is paired with him, Reimer will provide a capable backup and will challenge for top ranking.

6. Luke Schenn - Hardest young hitter in the league.

7. Joffrey Lupul - A bona fide first-line left winger on a team that really needed one, Lupul had a career season and works magic with Kessel. Will likely wear an A this coming season.

8. Gunnarsson - Paired with Phaneuf, will provide a solid 2nd tandem as Toronto's 3rd and 4th defenders, behind Gardiner / Schenn.

9. Nazem Kadri - In recent weeks he has begun dominating the AHL, and if the trend persists in the Calder Cup playoffs, Naz will secure a Big Nine position with the Leafs, and will not disappoint. Kadri already has a winning record with the Leafs in each of the past two seasons.

10. Brian Burke - The much maligned GM will land a big fish or two, plus some more muscle, making the upcoming training camp a crowded, competitive place, and positioning both the Leafs and the Marlies for successful 2012-2013 seasons.

You need about 30 NHL-level players in this concussed NHL, and the maturing youth in the Leafs system will provide the depth the Buds need to start clicking on all levels.

GO Leafs GO!!!

Brian Burke's 3 biggest mistakes in 2011-2012

With the Maple Leafs tanking in early February and missing the playoffs yet again, one must wonder what went wrong. Here are 3 considerations:

A) Gustavsson - He was horrid during his heart surgery filled 2010-2011 season, so it was risky to assume he could make a full recovery AND become a better goalie. He's 27 and is done in Toronto, however he is already one year past expiry date in this town.

As it was clear Reimer was gonna be the top dog, he need a mentor that could both challenge and guide him.

B) Not BeLeafing - Excepting the Monster who had little or nothing to do with the successful 2nd half the Leafs enjoyed in 2010, it pained me to see Boyce, Crabb and Kadri sent to the Marlies when they all played so well and had winning records with the Leafs.

They were replace by Steckel, Dupuis and Lombardi, and though one imagines the youngsters may have hit the wall even sooner then the vets did, Ottawa provides an example of what can happen when you decide to move forward with the youth that are playing well.

C) Liles contract - When John-Michael was out with a concussion, Burke signed him to a 4 year deal at $3.9 mil per season, more than Schenn makes at $3.6 mil per. Now, Liles is a good player but he is getting up there in years and was out with a concussion. Why not let him take as long as he wanted to come back, and then see how he plays before giving him such a generous longterm deal. The Leafs would have risked losing him as an UFA at season's end, however the price seemed way too high for a player obtained for a 4th round draft pick.

Three years at 3 mil would have been so much better, however he is here to stay now so let's hope he fully recovers in the offseason, as the he may have came back too soon.



Now, if you are getting the idea that I am a Burke hater you are dead wrong, as I can name seven or eight bright moves that match up well against these three. I am getting ready to watch the Marlies playoff run, and will also shortly post a List of Ten Reasons why the Maple Leafs will have the biggest rise of any team next season.

SIX Toronto Maple Leafs that could be traded this Summer

Jonas Gustavsson - As he is a free agent on July 1st and the Leafs would be unlikely to have any interest in signing him, offering exclusive rights to negotiate with him until June 30th could bring a 3rd round draft pick, or a young player. This trade needs to be arranged in advance and happen within a week of season's end, as the deadline will be fast approaching.


Matthew Lombardi (3.5 mil)


Colby Armstrong (3.0 mil)


Tim Connolly (4.75 mil)


Mike Komisarek (4.5 mil)


John-Michael Liles (3.9 cap hit)


Toronto Marlies who may be packaged in trades:

Jussi Rynass
Jerry D'Amigo
Ryan Hamilton

Free Agent and RFAs for Toronto Maple Leafs

With an estimated $57 million already committed for next season, Brian Burke will have to be prudent with his signings. Still, it will be worthwhile to make offers to all of these players, as many teams require lower-paid players to fill out their rsoters. Evene if the Maple Leafs do not intend on keeping every one of them, a player signed to a reasonable contract becomes a trade-able commodity.

Here are suggestions for the contract offers to our two free agents and four RFAs:

Gustavsson - Ideally the rights to negotiate with him would be moved for a 3rd round pick or a prospect. A proven NHL goalie plus Reimer to start with the Leafs, and Scrivens and Owuya to start with the marlies would be the best scenario.

If there is no interest after June 30, I would still offer a two-way deal for two years, with the goal of trading him or starting him with the Marlies next year:

AHL: 400/550
NHL: 1.2 mil / 1.4 mil


Crabb - Hopefully not too many teams want to take a 4th liner from a non-playoff team, however the odds are probably stacked against the leafs being able to retain him. Offer 2.7 mil over 3 years:

700k, 900k, 1.1 mil




Restricted Free Agents

Player (Current) - Suggested Contract

Scrivens (600)- Add or subtract 100-200 depending on AHL playoffs. 3 years for $3 million, two-way deal. (900k, 1.0 mil, 1.1l mil)

Franson (800) - 3 years, 4.2 mil. (1.1, 1.4, 1.7 mil)

Frattin (600) - Two-way deal: 4 years $5 mil. (700/1.1, 850/1.2, 900/1.3, 950/1.4 mil)

Rosehill (600) - Two-way deal, 2 years for $1.6 mil. (350/700, 450/900)

Toronto Maple Leafs Report Card: 2012-2013

Here are my grades for the Buds on this most disappointing of seasons. After the AHL and CHL playoffs end, we will grade the prospects.

Jake Gardiner 92 AAA

Phil Kessel 87 AA

Joffrey Lupul 83 AA


David Steckel 73 B+

Tyler Bozak 72 B+

Mikail Grabovski 72 B+

Nazem Kadri 71 B

Matt Frattin 68 B-


Dion Phaneuf 66 C+

Clarke McArthur 66 C+

John-Michael Liles 65 C+

Joey Crabb 65 C+

Cody Franson 64 C

Nikolai Kulemin 63 C

Mike Komisarek 59 C

Mike Brown 58 C

Tim Connolly 57 C-

Joe Colborne 56 C-

Darryl Boyce 53 C- (Free Agent)


Carter Ashton 51 D+

Ben Scrivens 49 D

James Reimer 47 D

Jay Rosehill 46 D

Matthew Lombardi 43 D-


Jonas Gustavsson 37 F

Philippe Dupuis 28 F

Core Toronto Maple Leafs for 2012-2013 and forward

If Brian Burke wants to keep certain players off-limits from trade talks, here are the 10 players he would be best to try to keep out of trade talks:

Jake Gardiner
Phil Kessel
James Reimer
Nazem Kadri
Matt Frattin
Tyler Biggs
Joe Colborne
Cody Franson
Mark Owuya
Brad Ross



Here are 5 names that should be considered in trade scenarios, with an explanation:

Jonas Gustavsson - As he is a free agent on July 1st and the Leafs would be unlikely to have any interest in signing him, offering exclusive rights to negotiate with him until June 30th could bring a 3rd round draft pick, or a young player. This trade needs to be arranged in advance and happen within a week of season's end, as the deadline will be fast approaching.


Dion Phaneuf OR Luke Schenn - It would be nice to keep them both, however if there are grains of truth in the stories about tension between these two, it may be best to listen to offers for each and hit the bid if a strong goalie or enticing package becomes available.


Joffrey Lupul - Yes it would be sad to see him go and if the Leafs were ready to challenge for a Cup I'd have him on the top ten list above. Instead, the Buds will need 2 or 3 seasons of playoffs experience before being ready to drink from the Mug, so trading Lupul to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender can bring a pick and a player, with Matt Frattin and Nazem Kadri competing for the left wing spot on Kessel's line.


Jussi Rynnas - I'd like to see a proven NHL goalie plus Reimer start with the Maple Leafs, with Scrivens and Owuya slated to handle Marlies duties. This means Rynnas can be moved as part of a package deal, or straight up for a pick or a skater.


Tim Connolly - I don't believe his season was as disastrous as some do, however a $4.5 million checking line winger doesn't make a lot of sense. If BB can package Connolly up in a trade, free agent Darryl Boyce has a winning record as a Leaf and would excel on Carlyle's checking line, and he would likely be available for $850,000 to $900,000 per year.


Other names that could be moved to free up cap space include Komisarek, Lombardi and Armstrong.

Matt Frattin gets Howe Hat Trick in 1st period!

Endearing himself to new Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle and playing for a spot in the 2012-2013 lineup, Matt Frattin stood up for linemate Tyler Bozak, who had just taken a cheap shot from behind by Marcus Foligno. Frattin immediately challenged the bigger Foligno and though he took a few punches, he made his team and coaches proud.

Adding a goal and an assist to round out the single period Gordie Howe hat trick, Frattin looked perfectly in place on the left side of the Toronto Maple Leafs number one line, with Bozak and Phil Kessel. The fifth leading scorer in the NHL, Kessel had 3 beautiful assists in one his best periods as a Leaf.

The score is Toronto 3, Buffalo 0, with at least 2 periods left to play.

Slots At Racing can provide Ontario with $2 billion plus per year!

Being an extremely successful program already, with over $1.1 billion contributed annually to Ontario coffers, how can we get this program up to the $2 billion plus level?

Step One - Direct Action. For some reason the Ontario Liberals are determined to follow their federal counterparts to 3rd party status, with costly, boneheaded decisions based on faulty perceptions. We may have to do slow 5kmh truck crawls around Windsor Casino, Niagara Falls Casino and Queen's Park, but if that's what it takes to get a 6-month extension for Fort Erie, Windsor and Sarnia, then let's get 'er done.

Obtaining a stay of execution is the first step, to be followed by a barrage of relentless logic.

Step Two - Expand. Just as the Georgian Downs slots expansion benefited the government and the track, renovations and expansion can be carried out on all the oldest and busiest of Ontario's Slots At Racetracks sites. As sports books are about to be legalized in Canada, major racetracks such as Mohawk, Woodbine, Fort Erie and Windsor are ideal locations and will prove to be lucrative choices. Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs and other racetracks would also be suitable sportsbook venues.

It may take five years for the Slots At Raceways program to surpass $2 billion per year, but that still represents $2 billion per year that we do not have to pay in taxes, and much of it will come from Americans and other tourists.

In summary, the Liberals appear willing to kill off a $2 billion public cash cow, and it is up to the horse racing industry to save this program, as I haven't even begun to itemize and illustrate the damage that would be caused to horses and horse people. The ill-advised closing of the Slots At Racetracks program would eliminate about 2,000 jobs directly but would have much wider implications for small town and rural Ontario, including the loss of 20,000 horse-related jobs and our world-leading position in the breeding and racing of Standardbred horses.

Joseph Trainor
April 2, 2012

Dandy Dozen: Top 12 Toronto Maple Leafs prospects

Top Twelve Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects" - April 2012

This Month (Last Month)

1. (1) Nazem Kadri - Though he was in a 6-game scoring slump when we named him #1 last month, Nazem has done nothing but shine in the weeks since.Over the past week he has hoisted the Marlies on his shoulders and is readying them for a Calder Cup playoff drive. The leafs have a winning record with Kadri in the lineup, both this year and last, so he will stick with the Buds for the full 2012-2013 schedule.

2. (4) Matt Frattin - Matt looks able to secure a Big Nine position coming out of Carlyle's training camp this September. When he was sent down to the AHL this year, he scored something like 9 goals in 12 games and proved he was too good for that league, and his rough'n'tumble style of play appeals to the Toronto Maple Leafs new coach.

3. (/) Ben Scrivens - His season has gathered momentum from month to month, and though I have ranked Owuya as a better NHL prospect in the past, Ben appears ready for a shot. The AHL playoffs will be watched by scouts from all NHL clubs, and the coming weeks will be the biggest test of Scrivens' career to date.

4. (10) Korbinian Holzer - Only two months ago the Leafs D looked impenetrable for a stay-at-home defender such as Holzer. Now with Aulie gone and either Schenn or Phaneuf potentially being moved in the offseason, Holzer could see plenty of NHL action next year. The AHL playoffs will also be crucial for him.

5. (3) Joe Colborne

6. (2) Carter Ashton

7. (7) Tyler Biggs

8. (6) Jesse Blacker

9. (8) Mark Owuya

10.(/) Brad Ross

11.(/) Greg McKegg

12.(/)Josh Leivo

More top prospects: Stuart Percy, Jerry D'Amigo, Jamie Devane, Marcel Mueller, Spencer Abbott, Sam Carrick, Nicolas Deschamps





* To be eligible for this list, a player must be 25 or younger at the beginning of 2012, and must also have played less than 50 NHL games. This means that both Jake Gardiner and James Reimer are ineligible, as both are now bona fide NHLers, having each played significantly more than 50 games.

Kadri shines as Marlies win 3 days straight

4 goals in 3 games include 2 game winners

Nazem Kadri scored the winner with 57 seconds left this afternoon to power a 4-2 victory (Greg Scott got the empty-netter) over Grand River, less than 18 hours after scoring the only tally in a 1-0 Saturday night win versus Rochester. Friday night Kadri had 2 goals in a 5-4 road win at Rochester.

It's great to see Nazem finish the regular season so strong; it was during his 7-game scoring drought only a couple of weeks back when I named him the #1 top prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs system, a position he remains in. I have also ranked him #5 in the list of best Toronto Maple Leafs aged 25 years old or younger.

As for the Toronto Marlies NHL affiliate, the Maple Leafs, it was nice to see them break the homestand drought last night, but from here on in let's finish with 3 losses, so we get more balls in the lottery machine.