It's hard not to be a little excited with what has transpired over the weekend. Yes, the Maple Leafs didn't land Brad Richards. Yes, the didn't 'solve' their first line center problem. But what they did do is make a good gamble on a talented player. Ask any Buffalo fan and they're sure to tell you that Tim Connolly is one of the most hated players the franchise has dealt with over the last few seasons. He's consistently injured, and has no heart to speak of. While all that may be true, at this point, it's worthy of the gamble based on the potential payoff.
Is it a great deal? No. Is it a deal that can backfire? Sure, I guess. Is it worthy of the gamble? Certainly. The biggest kicker here is the two-year term. The 4.75 million dollar cap hit is a little pricey, but you can't argue in comparison to the other free-agent prices. The two-year deal gives the Maple Leafs flexibility if Connolly doesn't work out - they aren't locked in long-term. It also gives them a cushion year. If Grabovski decides to cash in next summer in free-agency, the Maple Leafs at least aren't left with 'nothing' - so long as Connolly doesn't suffer a career ending injury.
It also allows flexibility with prospects. They don't need to force someone like Joe Colborne into a spot he may not be ready for. If Connolly gets injured, then maybe someone like Colborne can get a cup of coffee with the Maple Leafs, or a Tyler Bozak steps up into a bigger role if he proves himself.
So this deal does make sense, and is certainly plan B - but that's OK. If he's healthy, he should give them at least 50pts. His play-making ability should help Kessel, and he's also strong in the two-way department. Is he the answer? No. Will I be pulling my hair out over him at times this season? I'm almost positive. Will he play more than 70 games? Not likely. But when all you have to give is money, it's a worthy gamble for the Maple Leafs who only have Mikhail Grabovski under contract currently at the center position (I'm talking NHL centers, not AHLs).
So to me, this deal is a big 'meh'. If he works out, fine - bonus. If he doesn't? Well, you deal with it for a season or two and cut bait. Either way, I don't really think the Maple Leafs are banking on him to be 'the' guy for them at center.. because if they did they would have locked him longer than two-years.
Moving on to the trade between Nashville and Toronto..
If you were like me, and you saw Damian Cox's tweet that the Maple Leafs traded Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney for Matthew Lombardi and Cody Franson, you likely started to laugh.
That was my first response to hearing it. My second response was to not believe it. My third response was sheer joy once it was confirmed by Nashville's beat writer.
Now, with all that joy out the way I can understand why Nashville wanted to move Lombardi - he may not even play this year. He suffered a concussion two games into the season and never played after that. Nashville, needing to shed salary to sign the likes of Ryan Suter and Shea Weber, attached a piece in Franson to push the Maple Leafs into a deal. And what a piece it is!
Franson is a young (23), big (6'5), offensive-defender (8 goals and 29 points last year) which is exactly the type of player the Maple Leafs needed to add to their defensive group. Now, I'm not expecting him to come in and be a top-pairing defender, but if he can be a top-six defender that'll be more than Lebda ever was for the Maple Leafs.
Lebda and Slaney were two free-agent acquistions that the Maple Leafs turned into Franson. Now, I'm not counting Lombardi out just yet, because if healthy he's a great 2nd/3rd line center, but the prize here is Franson. The Maple Leafs were able to flex their financial muscle, by taking on Lombardi, to acquire Franson.
If Lombardi never plays more than 60 games during his two-year contract with the Maple Leafs, the Maple Leafs receive a 4th round selection in 2013. I can tell you right now if Franson flops, and Lombardi never plays I'd STILL be happy with a 4th round return for Lebda and Slaney.
What does this mean for the Maple Leafs defensive core? Well, it wouldn't shock me to see another body moved out for forward help, but I wouldn't be surprised if they left it the way it is.
Currently, I'd imagine the depth chart looks something like this...
Dion Phaneuf - Carl Gunnarsson
John-Michael Liles - Luke Schenn
Keith Aulie - Cody Franson
Mike Komisarek
Let's not forget some of the Marlies who may push for a spot in Korbinian Holzer, Jake Gardiner, Simon Gysbers and Jesse Blacker.. Jeff Fingers in there too somewhere, but likely won't see an NHL surface.
So, they don't 'need' to move a body out, but it would be pretty silly to have Mike Komisarek and his cap hit sitting as a number 7. Wouldn't shock me to see Aulie start on the Marlies if they can't move Komisarek.
It will certainly be interesting to see what they do going forward. They could move Komisarek and find a cheaper replacement in free-agency to take a 6/7 spot, or they could get one in return if they move Komisarek.
While I speculate that Komisarek will be moved out, I'd also stress that I don't believe he'll be an easy sell. He hasn't lived up to his contract, so the suitors may be few and far between..
