Gleason adds toughness and depth to Leafs D

With the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring Tim Gleason for little-used offensive D-man John-Michael Liles (plus rights to NCAA prospect Dennis Robertson, 2011 6th rounder), here's how they shape up on the back end:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Franson - Gardiner
Ranger- Reilly

Gleason - Fraser

Phaneuf, Franson, gardiner and Reilly all have offensive skills, and now that they are skating and moving the puck as the coaches desire, Liles became the odd man out. Gleason joins Gunarsson, Ranger and Fraser among defencemen expected to carry the stay-at-home role. 

If Tim Gleason is able to crack the Bud's lineup, it would likely mean Ranger sits, though his play has been steady even solid since his return from the pressbox. If the top six are all healthy at the deadline, Fraser could potentially be available in the trade market, though Carlyle would surely enjoy the luxury of taking eight NHL defenders into the playoffs.

TJ Brennan (14 goals and 17 assists in 31 games this season) of the Toronto Marlies is the Leafs top defender in the AHL. Junior prospects Connor Brown, Frederik Gauthier and Matt Finn are all having stellar seasons.

Calling Fraser and Frazer; Leafs need toughness

Toronto Maple Leafs require a lift out of funk

The listless Maple Leafs will surely get a boost from David Clarkson's debut next Friday night, and they have also been missing the defensive diligence of Nikolai Kulemin. The other thing awol lately has been the edge, the swagger the Buds had developed in the pre-season and early games in the 2013-14 NHL schedule. Here's where Mark Fraser (knee) and Frazer McLaren (finger) come into the picture.


Mark Fraser a tough, shutdown D-man

If Fraser is not yet ready to return to the lineup, it will be difficult to send Morgan Reilly back to junior. The Leafs defence has been steady however Randy Carlyle has had to make do with 9 NHL forwards and 3 AHLers (Broll, Leivo with Brodie or Smith). The Leafs with Clarkson, Kulemin and McLaren in the lineup will be much tougher to play against, and if Mark Fraser is also ready to return soon, that raises the steel quotient further. For salary reasons, Carter Ashton may have to spend some time with the Marlies, unless he can significantly outplay the likes of Broll, Leivo and Smith.

Even though the Maple Leafs have not been blown out in any game, their goalies have kept them in a few. Let's hope the two losses in a row (to Chicago and Carolina) instigate a return to the highly competitive Carlyle style.

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?

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.

Leafs free up room by placing Boyce and Rosehill on waivers

There's either a trade or callup happening by tomorrow as both Boyce and Rosehill have been placed on waivers and will be sent to Marlies if not claimed by noon Saturday. If it is a callup, will Colborne and Frattin get the nod?

Rosehill, the 26-year-old enforcer who signed a one-year deal with the Leafs in June worth $600,000, has been a scarcely used commodity this season. He has played in just 16 of the Leafs’ 61 games and been involved in just three fights according to the web site hockeyfights.com

Boyce, the 27-year-old left winger, has split time with the Leafs and Marlies this season. In his most recent six-game stint with the big club he was a point-less minus-4 in limited playing time.

Goalie Evgeni Nabokov of the New York Islanders and right winger Dustin Brown of the L.A. Kings are among the rumour mill’s favoured possibilities of NHL players that may be coming to Toronto.

Source: TheStar.com

NHL talk: Rick Nash for Kadri, Komi, Lombardi and Aulie

Ohio has a significant Islamic population and Nazem Kadri could be a crucial ambassador to the community, helping the Blue Jackets extend their reach. The Maple Leafs would likely have to add a draft pick, plus take another veteran from Columbus.

It makes no sense for Columbus to be paying Rick Nash $8 million per year for the next five years, when they have to now enter a rebuilding mode and are a small market team. Waiting until the trade deadline will be too late, if someone wants Nash, he should bid now and bid large. Got it, Bri?

Five ideas to take Maple Leafs to next level

NHL's Toronto squad a young team, with room for improvement

Here are five suggestions that Brian Burke and Ron Wilson should consider. These are basically tweaks that will allow the Leafs to experiment without shaking up the core of a successful 2011-2012 NHL team.

To get to the next level:

ONE: Give Mark Owuya a start in the NHL. Jonas G is not good enough to be a playoff goalie, so if Owuya cannot handle the bigs, then we need to bring in another goaltender. Reimer cannot be counted on for more than twenty starts between here and the end of the season, and whether he is a playoff-calibre goalie when he returns, well, that remains to be seen. Scrivens is #1 now but he and the team need a more reliable backup than the erratic Monster.

TWO: Try Cody Franson on the wing. We need scoring, and having a D-man up front could be crucial if one or two go down in a playoff game. Gary Leeman made the transition from D to F at the NHL level, and scored 50 goals one year.

THREE: Get Rosehill and/or Orr into some games. The NHL battles will intensify as the season wears on and the playoffs approach, and Mike Brown is too valuable to the team to be the only fighter between here and there. We do not need a punch-weary Brown in April, so it may be best to give him every 3rd game off.

FOUR: Grabovski deserves a shot between Lupul and Kessel. He is our best centreman, so deserves a few games on the big line, to see if chemistry arises. There's nothing going on with the second line right now, so the timing this week is as good as any.

FIVE: Bulk up player support for a longer season, as none of these lads were on the Buds last time they made the playoffs, and most are too young to have ever played in post-season NHL. In January it would be wise to add a chiropractor (there's a reason Donovan Bailey brought his chiropractor to all big track meets), a nutritionist and a massage therapist to the team's 2012 traveling entourage.

Three of first four moves could be tried for a game or three to see if they are worthy of implementing for longer periods, while the fourth calls for prudence when allocating tough guy minutes, to preserve vibrant truculence for the real season in the Spring. The final suggestion may have elements already in place, however bolstering the team's support staff and traveling entourage sends a signal that we expect the boys to be playing hockey in May, and we are preparing now for just such an eventuality.

5 things Leafs fans should be happy about

Positive news for 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs

Fast start – Even though the team was not playing that well, the Maple Leafs managed to get out of the gate strong and were leading the division, the conference and the league after a dozen games or so. This shows that with improvement, we can be a bona fide contender.


Surprises, the good kind – Lupul, Gardiner, and Komisarek are all exceeding expectations.


Brian Burke – His moves have taken a faceless, gutless team and shaped them into something close to formidable, with tremendous upside due to abundance of youth, plus great prospects with the Marlies. look for Burkie to sign Turco, or better still, trade prospects and/or picks for Nabokov, wasting away on the last place Islanders team.


Phil Kessel - The NHL's leading sniper this year is also 10th in the league in assists, a sign of a constantly improving player that is often overlooked by Leafs fans and local media.


Dion Phaneuf - The Maple Leafs have a winning record over the past two years whenever Dion is in the lineup, and he is the best captain the Leafs have had since Doug Gilmour.

Maple Leafs exceeding even my expectations

In early Summer 2011 I hoped that Jake Gardiner would go into Leafs training camp with the mindset that he was going to be the quarterback of the power play. Why did I want this? Everyone seemed to be giving the job to Liles uncontested, whereas I had been watching Gardiner develop on the USA junior team and he looked like a solid bet for the NHL.

I also hoped that Phil Kessel would watch video of Mike Bossy, and of Phil Kessel when hot, and hit the ice demanding and expecting big things from himself. He has developed into a premier passer over the past couple of seasons, Joffrey Lupul being the prime beneficiary, yet his sniping ability is so dominating that his assists pile up unnoticed.

My big concern was the position of backup goalie, and up until, well, yesterday against Pittsburgh, I was wholly unconviced that Gustavsson could be a reliable backup. In last night's game he played like a lad named James Reimer, and with Scrivens and Rynnas backstopping the first place Marlies in the AHL, the Buds are super-deep in the nets right now.

My hope was and is for the Maple Leafs to be contending for first in their division on January 1st, and be in the top four or five in the conference, and also to advance to the second round of the Stanley cup playoffs. They are noble goals for a young team, and we are definitely pointed in the right direction.

The fact that we are winning does not mean there won't be a trade, because Burke's phone is likely ringing with offers daily. The key will be to make a move that can add to the 23-man roster without detracting in any way from the success and momentum established so far.

So, who could be traded? Daryl Boyce is a proven NHLer with a winning record in the big leagues, and right now he's languishing on a 3rd line in the AHL, so he could be headed to Anaheim or Vancouver. Korbinian Holzer is likely ranked behind Aulie, Lashoff and Blacker, so could be moved as part of a package.

Two more controversial names would be Kadri and Franson. Beginning an NHL career in one's hometown can be tough, and I'm not convinced Burke sees Nazem Kadri as more than a top nine forward, and perhaps not quite nasty or hungry enough. Franson will likely be given another chance to contribute to wins, showcase his talents and increase the price should he be moved. It is too early to give up on such a talented young player, unless a sensational offer came in for him.

I am hoping Colbourne, Crabb, Aulie, Lashoff and Scrivens will be kept on the Marlies as insurance for the Leafs this year, and core building blocks for the next few years as contracts expire. I also think Mike Brown has earned the tough guy role over Rosehill and Orr.


Hockey players in Leafs system that could be traded

Here are names we could see being traded by the Leafs, but only if Burke thought he was receiving value that will help the Leafs now or in the future, without diminishing the Leafs or, to a lesser extent, the Marlies, hopes for this year:

Daryl Boyce
Jussi Rynnas
Nazem Kadri
Cody Franson
Rosehill or Orr, not both
Korbinian Holzer
Mike Zigomanis
Marcel Mueller
Brayden Irwin
Simon Gysbers
Juraj Mikus


Ideally Burke will move one player from the bottom five of the 23-man and package him with two mid-level Marlies, getting in return a top six scorer/playmaker, or a physical top nine winger/scorer. If he has to add in a 2nd round pick to get the right guy, Leafs fans have learned to trust that Brian's choice will far more often than not turn out to be a sound decision.

"Yo-Yo" Kadri to face Big Bad Bruins in Boston

Mere hours after being sent down to the Toronto Marlies, injuries to Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur in last night's win over Winnipeg resulted in Nazem Kadri getting called back up to the Buds. He is in Boston with the Leafs now, and is expected to play tonight against the Bruins.

Gotta love the depth Burkie has built into the 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs!

2011-2012 Maple Leafs opening night 23-man roster

With the first game of the new NHL season just days away, it;s time for the Leafs to get down to 23 men from the current 29. So let's take 3 right off the top. Kadri and Lombardi will start the season on the injured list, and Scrivens will be given the starting job with the Marlies.

Now we have 2 goalies in (Reimer / Gustavsson), plus 24 skaters competing for 21 skating jobs. Looking at the remainder, let's examine who is locked-in and who may be on the bubble.

Stars

Phaneuf
Kessel
Schenn
MacArthur
Grabovski
Kulemin
Liles
Armstrong


Of these MacArthur is out the first two games on suspension, but will be back on Grabovski's top line after that. So let's count these 8 as in, and move to the next tier.

Lupul
Aulie
Bozak
Boyce
Brown
Komisarek
Orr
Frattin
Connolly

The next question is, with the 5 strong defencemen named above (Phaneuf, Schenn, Liles, Aulie, Komisarek), do we go with 7 or 8 on D. I believe we go with 8, dressing 7 and keeping one in a suit. Which would mean these 3 also make the team:

Gardiner
Franson
Gunnarsson


Considering the injuries and suspension of front, going with eight D makes even more sense. So now we have 2 goalies and 8 D, plus 12 of 13 forward positions filled. Here's where things get tough, as there are 3 players battling for the final forward position:

Jay Rosehill
Joey Crabb
Philippe Dupuis

If Connolly or Bozak isn't sharp and ready for opening night, look for Dupuis to get in, otherwise the Marlies are likely to get an extra boost for the early season, picking up both him and Rosehill, with Crabb being the 13th Leafs forward.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the injury list have a couple more names added to it, as that buys time, and increases depth on the practice roster.

Soon we shall see...

Frattin makes Leafs; Kadri out 3 weeks with knee injury

With Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri out two to four weeks with a torn knee ligament, Matt Frattin will step in to play wing on the Buds' 3rd line. With that decision settled for October, here's what to look for in this weekend's games versus Detroit Red Wings:

Ben Scrivens versus Jonas Gustavsson

Leafs fans have been let down too many times by The Monster, so look for Scrivens to get the home start and Gustavsson the game in Detroit. I'd like to see Ben make the big club, primarily because the Leafs have not played well or confidently in front of Jonas.


Will Lombardi or Bozak heal in time for opener?

It'd be nice to have Mike Brown healthy, but i don't mind him starting the year on the injured list, as insurance for Colton Orr. The really important thing will be finding out whether either of Bozak or Lombardi will be healthy enough to start the season as the Leafs 3rd line centre.


Will Gunnarsson start year with Marlies?

Gunnar had been having a good camp, however his difficulties versus Ottawa the other night mean that he may be the odd man out to start the season. Another possibility would be to bit the bullet on Komisarek, and if no trade partners emerge, let him clear waivers and join the Marls as a high priced defender, a la Jeff Finger.

Should be a rockin' weekend for Leafs fans!!!

Fast, young Leafs may abandon Conn Smythe mentality

Matt Frattin



Joe Colborne

Colborne and Frattin could both make 2011-2012 Maple Leafs squad

Though Toronto Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke has been a steadfast disciple of the Conn Smythe axiom "If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice," in light of the new Rule 41 changes to boarding infractions, it may be time to ramp up the team's speed. If Burkie and Wilson do opt for more skill and speed, it will be the 4th line where the kids emerge, as that is where the toughness has primarily resided. Everyone has been assuming that either Colton Orr or Mike Rosehill or both will make the team, however the new rules (Rule 48 regarding head hits has also been tightened) mean that it is possible that neither will make it. The legacy of vigilante justice and bare-knuckle fighting (banned for over a century in boxing and other sports) may be winding down.

If we are facing a new mentality in the NHL that will reward speed even more than toughness, who should the Maple Leafs be considering for the 4th line? Let's deal with the first 3 lines and then see who we have.

Toronto Maple Leafs projected Top 3 lines

Lupul - Connolly - Kessel
MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin
Kadri - Bozak - Armstrong

Here are the main contenders for 4th line duty on the Leafs (we're leaving Matt Lombardi out of the equation for now, as his injuries mean he will start with Marlies when ready):

Darryl Boyce
Joe Colbourne
Matt Frattin
Colton Orr
Jay Rosehill
Mike Brown
Joey Crabb
Philippe Dupuis


Projected 4th line:

Frattin - Colborne - Boyce

Extra forwards to stay with big club: Dupuis, Orr

Even though this line would require shifting Boyce from centre to right wing, he is a gritty, PEI-raised forward who can handle the switch, especially if it means skating with the smooth Colborne and the energetic, slick Frattin.

As for the defence, I believe the Buds have 8 NHL calibre defenders (in order: Phaneuf, Schenn, Liles, Franson, Aulie, Komisarek, Gunnarsson and Lashoff), so look for one of these to be packaged with a forward in a 2-for-1 trade to bring us another goal scorer, or a proven NHL goalie.

GTA Leafs fans: Buy The Star today

Okay peeps, I know it is July 6th however I was as happy as a kid in a candy store when I saw a full page of Toronto Maple Leafs coverage (page S2) in today's Toronto Star. Alright, the bottom story is about Tomas Kaberle signing with the Hurricanes (4.5 mil a year for 3 years, great for Kabs!), but his elegant and intelligent departure from the Buds means he'll always be a Leaf (unlike Sundin whose exit was unnecessarily messy and unrewarding for Leafs Nation) in the heart of a true fan.


Clarke MacArthur, Tyler Bozak both re-sign with Toronto

Stories on new Swedish goalie Mark Owuya, on the MacArthur and Bozak signings, and an excellent piece by Kevin McGran on Gardiner's and Blacker's reactions to the trade for Cody Franson.

If you don't live in the Greater Toronto Area, you can read the stories online at The Toronto Star articles on Toronto Maple Leafs.