As a lark, I thought it would be fun to see which former Maple Leafs are available in free agency, and whether you could build a team (of sorts) just by signing all of the available guys who at one time wore blue and white.
There may be others- and there may be players who have already re-signed with their current club. I’m not absolutely certain. But as of today, the names I’ve seen include (Van Ryn, Ondrus, Wallin, Primeau, Frogren and Exelby have been with the Leafs already but are also available July 1) the following:
Goal- Vesa Toskala
- Joey MacDonald
Defense
- Carlo Colaiacovo
- Martin Skoula (wasn’t he a Leaf for a day?)
- Brendan Bell
- Pavel Kubina
Center
- Kyle Wellwood
- Adam Mair
Right wing
- Lee Stempniak
- Owen Nolan
- Jamal Mayers
- Wade Belak
Left wing
- Freddie Modin
- Alex Ponikarovsky
- Darcy Tucker
So, if the Leafs actually signed all of the above, and the six guys I mentioned who are currently with the organization, you would have a full team.
Not a great team, but a team.
I’d be interested in hearing if fans would like to have any of the above back.
Now, on a more serious note, most analysts agree this is not a “great” year for high-end free agents. That just means the smart GM’s have the opportunity to look for really good investments. A year ago, Bob Gainey went after some guys who were good players but not superstars, and the Habs experienced a pretty significant turnaround this past season. So you don’t have to grab a Patrick Marleau, necessarily, to be a “winner” in the free agent sweepstakes.
There are plenty of “interesting” names on the list. If I could have Kirk Maltby from 10 years ago, knowing what we know now about what he has meant to the Red Wings, hey, that would be tremendous. How can you not admire the career Mark Recchi has had, and the jump he had with the Bruins in the playoffs at the age of 42? But he is 42.
Wouldn’t everyone like (even an aging) Scott Niedermayer (who will be available, apparently)? Brian Burke has a history with Niedermayer. He seemingly wanted to come home to Canada at one point, but that means British Columbia, not Toronto.
John Madden has been an outstanding “third-liner” for many years and helped New Jersey (and now the Hawks) win Cups. But at 36, can he keep going to the hard-working well long enough to help Toronto when they become a threat years down the road? I have much the same thought about Tomas Holstrom.
Would someone like Nick Boynton fill a hole once Kaberle is dealt? Hamhuis is probably the best combination of youth, experience and talent that should be available come July 1. Could he be a fit in Toronto?
Interesting questions -- and lots to consider for the Leaf management team.
At the end of the day, I’m betting Burke surprises us, not only with a trade to get into the first-round, but one or two free-agent moves that we aren’t quite anticipating- but will provide what Leaf fans always cling to: hope.
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My faith in Burke was shattered when he said, after the Laffs finished in 2nd last place, "I would make the Kessel trade again today." Who is he kidding? Would the Bruins take Kessel back for 2 first round (Seguin or Hall) and a 2nd round draft choice? Not likely. Big error which will be his millstone for his tenure in TO. Now here is what comes next. To make up for this momentous blunder, Burke compounds his error and trades Kaberle to some mid ranked team for a 1st round draft choice, packages that with a couple of players and gets to pick 10th in this year's draft.
ReplyDeleteNext year, the Laffs will be 80% AHL calibre. Tyler Bozak as their number 1 centre. Bozak will have to take up where poor little Mattie Stajan left off ie. lisping to the press with a flick of the wrist for emphasis, "Mr. Burke wants us to play rough and tough."
When you observed the quality of the Blackhawks and Flyers in the Cup playoff, there is absolutely nothing that Burke can do to turn this thing around in the next 3 years.
Laffing at the Laffs
There's no question Burke has publicly stood by his decision to deal for Kessel, and that may frustrate some Leaf fans. But we wouldn't expect him to do anything else, really. It will be interesting to see how the Kessel/Wilson relationship evolves over time.
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