Fixing the Maple Leafs

The big thing now seems to be trying to fix the Tornoto Maple Leafs. So like any hockey fan who thinks putting together an awesome team in East Side Hockey Manager makes me qualified to give my input in this matter, I will.

First though, please refer to this web page for Toronto’s cap status as I will be basis my analysis off it: http://www.nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=TOR



Let’s start off with the biggest item and one that will circulate until the trade deadline: Mats Sundin. He’s a free agent and as many people are saying the Leafs need to blow up the roster, he’s the obvious target for a deadline deal. Now, if he does say he’ll accept a trade, and the Leafs can get a Ryan Smyth like package for him, then they should do it. Their prospect pool is awful, neglected by Pat Quinn who always dealt picks and prospects for veterans, and it’s finally caught up to them in the cap world. Though the return will not be immediate, their system needs a major jump start. Plus, if Sundin plays another year, and the way he has played this year would suggest it, he will resign with the Leafs in the off season.

Next, let’s take a look at the defense. Bryan McCabe and Pavel Kubina are the first names that pop up in the rumor mill. McCabe has a no movement clause and Kubina a no trade clause, effectively making them un-tradable, if their over priced deals didn’t already do that. Don’t expect either of these two to be moved for the duration of their deals. Hal Gill’s contract will expire in a year, but if they can deal him to free up the $2mm in cap space, even if the return isn’t great, I would suggest it. Tomas Kabrle is too important to give up, so he shouldn’t be considered as trade bait, however if there is a very good deal involving established younger players than it should be looked at. Carlo Colaiacova and Ian White are both young and should be kept around.

For the forwards, the obvious one to move (Sundin aside) is Jason Blake. But at four more years at $4mm a pop paired with poor production, 34 years old and a battle with cancer, well, I pretty much just spelled I out. No coincidence that forty goal year came in time for the next big deal he would land in his career, huh?

Mark Bell is another that has yet to have an impact, the same way he was with the Sharks. He is due another $1.75 against the cap next year, but his lack of production means his value is down. Still, if he can be dealt for a pick, I say do it because I doubt he is going to have an impact on the team. Maybe Chicago will take him back where he was a twenty goal scorer?

Darcy Tucker, though having a slow year partially due to injuries, should be kept as he is still an integral part of the Leafs lineup. Nik Antropov will be a UFA after this year, and while he started off hot, has once more turned into the Antropov we’ve known since he entered the league. The $2mm is better spent elsewhere. Steen, Wellwood and Stajan need to be kept as they are some of the only young talent the Leafs really have. If you can clear out some of the vets, than that’s more playing time they can use to develop.

Finally, there are the goalies. While Vesa Toskala hasn’t been the savior they hoped, he has been the best they had since Cujo left and after what they gave up for him I think it would be foolish to deal him. Andrew Raycroft has seen his stock plummet even further than when he was with Boston, and at $2.2 for one more year is un-tradable. Normally I would say the Leafs should give up a pick to someone with cap room and take him off their hands, but their prospect system is so depleted they cant afford to give it up.

So, what does that leave to do? Well to be frank I don’t think the Leafs can be turned around in a year, barring they can somehow get a few players to waive their clauses and fool another GM into taking them, and with Mike Milbury gone those chances drop significantly. Everyone expects new GM Chuck Fletcher to right the ship rather quickly, but there is no quick fix. Blowing up the roster is impossible due to the contracts JFJ gave out, and even if they did they would go through a few years of rebuilding, which as a Pens fan who bore witness to the 2003-04 season I can tell you is quite painful.

After next season, with Bell, Antropov, Gill and Raycroft all being UFA’s there is about $9mm worth of cap space they can use. I suggest they do some minor adjustments after this season, trade Sundin if you can, and then spend some money, albeit much wiser, the following season.


-Jordan