It's been a very busy offseason, as it ususally is for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There have been a few surprising moves, and some expected but what moves will help this team move forward?
I want to examine Burke's moves through the months of June and July and give my thoughts on them. I've been gone in Europe for the month of July so I've been out of the loop a bit and haven't had the opporunity to share my opinions as much as I would have liked.
For good or bad, depending on the price, I think it's safe to say, on paper, this team is better then where it was when it finished the season. But was the price paid (to improve the team) worth it? Let's find out...
Kris Versteeg to Toronto
Most people expected Burke to be in on Chicago's cap clearance sale so when the Maple Leafs acquired Versteeg I wasn't exactly shocked. The first name I thought that was going to Chicago was actually Stalberg when I heard of the trade - just had that gut feeling. I like Stalberg, I think he's capable of more than he showed in his first year with the Maple Leafs. He's a late bloomer, and he should get the necessary development time behind the stars in Chicago.
I don't mind giving up Stalberg, but giving up Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis rids the Maple Leafs of two prospects who the Maple Leafs would have potentailly had at their disposal this season. I mean, they aren't 'high-end' prospects, but players every team needs when their building winners.
I was hoping that the Maple Leafs would of been able to land Andrew Ladd also in a deal with Chicago, but it seems Burke didn't have the assets needed to acquire him also. The Maple Leafs also recieved Billy Sweatt in the deal, but it's not looking likely that he'll sign an entry-level deal with Toronto which is unfortunate.
In Versteeg the Maple Leafs are getting a young skilled forward who the team is in desperate need of. Hopefully he continues building on his skill as the Maple Leafs need him to be more than just a 50pt player.
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Armstrong for 3-years at a 3 million
Sure, it's a bit more then I would have liked, but Armstrong is capable of being a 20-20 player. He adds some gritt, and seems like a great guy off the ice. He also adds size to the top-nine, and can slot into a top-six spot if needed.
I think he's a solid addition, and hopefully he can live up to his contract.
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Lebda for 2-years at 1.45 million
A bit of a head scratcher, I mean it's Brett Lebda? He had 8 points last year, and is suppose to be an offensive defender? Or at least, a puck-moving defender? To his credit, he did have 6 goals in 2008-09 and if he can produce those numbers on Toronto he'll be a solid addition.
He does bring some serious speed to the Maple Leafs defensive core, but he lacks creativity and isn't defesnively polished.
At the end of the day he adds depth and brings a bit of a different dynamic to the defensive core. It's a cheap contract, and not hampering.
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Mueller for 2-years
Love this signing. Marcel Mueller is a player I was hoping the Maple Leafs would be able to cash in on. A very productive player in the DEL and had a good showing at the Olympics for Germany.
There's no harm in this signing and hopefully he can push for a spot out of camp.
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Zigomanis, Crabb and Richmond join Maple Leafs
I actually really like all three of these signings. These signings are critical to success as they add quality depth.
All three of these guys have seen NHL time, and although they're likely to start on the Marlies they have potential to be injury call-ups through the season.
Zigomanis and Crabb should both be top-six scorers for the Marlies, and productive ones at that (PPG or close to it). Richmond is a solid depth defender who should also be a solid addition to the Marlies defense.
These three should create some competition for spots on the Marlies.
