Toronto_AGM_Adil
Registered User
- Apr 9, 2006
- 337
- 9
Toronto (AP): So it's trade deadline and the buzz in Toronto is all about the acquisition of goaltender Dwayn Roloson, a move which was greated with mixed emotions from many Leaf fans. On the one hand the move shows that GM Chagani has a commitment to fight for the cup this year with the Leafs now in possession of one of the best 1-2 goalie combinations in the league. On the other hand fans have been left scratching their heads... why stop at Roloson? ... why not buy more?
Another surprise for Leafs fans was the subtle departure of veteran defender Andy Sutton. Sutton, who had been injured for a large chunk of the season, was only back a few games before GM Chagani quietly shuffled him off for prospect Nicklas Bergfors... a move which went mostly un-noticed by Leaf fans excited about the Roloson Deal. This is exactly the kind of move that has confused us all season... but if you look at the trades the Leafs have made things start to become a little clearer.
Coming into Toronto:
Picks: SJS 1st in 2009, SJS 2nd 2009, CAR 4th in 2008
Players: LW Martin Rucinksy, RW Boyd Devereaux, RW Jason Ward,
D Rob Blake, D Mike Commodore, D Shaone Morrisonn,
G Dwayne Roloson
Prospects: PR Nicklas Bergfors, PR James Sheppard, PR Mathieu Perrault,
PR Enver Lisin, PR Marek Schwarz
Leaving Toronto:
Picks: TOR 3rd in 2008, TOR 3rd 2009, TOR 3rd in 2010, TOR 5th 2009,
OTT 5th in 2008, CGY 6th in 2008, TOR 6th in 2008
Players: RW Bill Guerin, LW Chris Kunitz, LW Mike Comrie, C Michal Handzus,
RW Colby Armstrong,
D Andy Sutton, D Frantisek Kaberle, D Lawrence Nycholat,
RW Tony Amonte, LW Jeff Hamilton
Prospects: PR Maxim Mayorov, G Jordan Sigalet
Despite GM Chagani's media comments, it looks like the Leafs have stuck to a pretty consistent strategy of selling off. I will give GM Chagani one point though since the defense in Toronto has gotten younger and better with the additions of Blake, Morrison and Commodore... an improvement which eventually led to the departure of Andy Sutton and Frantisek Kaberle.
Despite the defense the obvious trend in the Leafs organization has been the movement of many of last years division-leading Leafs top-six forwards in Guerin, Handzus, Armstrong, Kunitz and Comrie for futures. Hopefully these prospects pan out for GM Chagani since these moves have generated much of the criticism of late. Considering the precarious 5th spot the Leafs sit in the standings, this could have been a risk which many fans never forgive GM Chagani for taking.
Overall, it seems the Leafs have been re-tooling for next year with only a minor consideration to the impact on the playoffs, a confusing strategy which is at odds with the standings. On one foot the Leafs go out and sign highly coveted free agent Martin Straka, followed by aquiring veteran top-line defenseman Rob Blake, veteran top 6 forward Martin Ruccinksky and pending UFA goal-tender Dwayne Roloson. These moves were obviously meant to cover up the selling off of longer terms assets such as Handzus, Kunitz, Comrie, Armstrong and Sutton... along with long time Leaf veterans such as Bill Guerin and Frantisek Kaberle. Rumors had it that GM Chagani was shopping around 27 year old forward Alexei Ponikarovsky for futures, a move which would have added insult to injury to already beleaguered Leaf fans.
So, what kind of strategy is this? Who trades for big names while still trading away the pieces required to be competitive? It's obvious from this reporters point of view that GM Chagani is pulling the wool over the eyes of not only the MLSE board but also Leafs nation... attempting to field a marginally competitive team of big names with no depth while building for> next year... a move which is obviously meant to keep cup-hopeful fans in their seats and the board happy while the general manager has already thrown in the towel. You can only feel pitty for Mats Sundin and Thomas Vokoun...
Another surprise for Leafs fans was the subtle departure of veteran defender Andy Sutton. Sutton, who had been injured for a large chunk of the season, was only back a few games before GM Chagani quietly shuffled him off for prospect Nicklas Bergfors... a move which went mostly un-noticed by Leaf fans excited about the Roloson Deal. This is exactly the kind of move that has confused us all season... but if you look at the trades the Leafs have made things start to become a little clearer.
Coming into Toronto:
Picks: SJS 1st in 2009, SJS 2nd 2009, CAR 4th in 2008
Players: LW Martin Rucinksy, RW Boyd Devereaux, RW Jason Ward,
D Rob Blake, D Mike Commodore, D Shaone Morrisonn,
G Dwayne Roloson
Prospects: PR Nicklas Bergfors, PR James Sheppard, PR Mathieu Perrault,
PR Enver Lisin, PR Marek Schwarz
Leaving Toronto:
Picks: TOR 3rd in 2008, TOR 3rd 2009, TOR 3rd in 2010, TOR 5th 2009,
OTT 5th in 2008, CGY 6th in 2008, TOR 6th in 2008
Players: RW Bill Guerin, LW Chris Kunitz, LW Mike Comrie, C Michal Handzus,
RW Colby Armstrong,
D Andy Sutton, D Frantisek Kaberle, D Lawrence Nycholat,
RW Tony Amonte, LW Jeff Hamilton
Prospects: PR Maxim Mayorov, G Jordan Sigalet
Despite GM Chagani's media comments, it looks like the Leafs have stuck to a pretty consistent strategy of selling off. I will give GM Chagani one point though since the defense in Toronto has gotten younger and better with the additions of Blake, Morrison and Commodore... an improvement which eventually led to the departure of Andy Sutton and Frantisek Kaberle.
Despite the defense the obvious trend in the Leafs organization has been the movement of many of last years division-leading Leafs top-six forwards in Guerin, Handzus, Armstrong, Kunitz and Comrie for futures. Hopefully these prospects pan out for GM Chagani since these moves have generated much of the criticism of late. Considering the precarious 5th spot the Leafs sit in the standings, this could have been a risk which many fans never forgive GM Chagani for taking.
Overall, it seems the Leafs have been re-tooling for next year with only a minor consideration to the impact on the playoffs, a confusing strategy which is at odds with the standings. On one foot the Leafs go out and sign highly coveted free agent Martin Straka, followed by aquiring veteran top-line defenseman Rob Blake, veteran top 6 forward Martin Ruccinksky and pending UFA goal-tender Dwayne Roloson. These moves were obviously meant to cover up the selling off of longer terms assets such as Handzus, Kunitz, Comrie, Armstrong and Sutton... along with long time Leaf veterans such as Bill Guerin and Frantisek Kaberle. Rumors had it that GM Chagani was shopping around 27 year old forward Alexei Ponikarovsky for futures, a move which would have added insult to injury to already beleaguered Leaf fans.
So, what kind of strategy is this? Who trades for big names while still trading away the pieces required to be competitive? It's obvious from this reporters point of view that GM Chagani is pulling the wool over the eyes of not only the MLSE board but also Leafs nation... attempting to field a marginally competitive team of big names with no depth while building for> next year... a move which is obviously meant to keep cup-hopeful fans in their seats and the board happy while the general manager has already thrown in the towel. You can only feel pitty for Mats Sundin and Thomas Vokoun...
