The Week That Was

It has been quite a week in the NHL. The last rounds of the draft were completed, teams needed to sign any players before free agency opened, and then July 1st came and every teams roster blew up. Not bad considering that we might not even have a NHL season this fall.

Of course the Leafs have been one of the quietists teams out there. Burke said it himself, nothing is going to happen, and so far he is right. We will start at the draft, and move on towards free agent frenzy.

After the first round was completed there were a few questions as to why some teams passed up on good young talent. Sebastian Collberg and Matt Finn left the Console Energy Centre on the Friday night with there nerves still in play and their heart trying to find a home. After Collberg went 33rd overall it was just a matter of time before the NY Islanders called up Matt Finn, but thats not the way it went. They chose Ville Pokka and Brian Burke was left in shock after central scouting had Finn going as a mid-first rounder. Therefore with the 35th pick the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Matt Finn a defenseman from the OHL and a hometown boy. (I actually peer-tutored him in high school). Some are calling him the steal of the draft while some are shaking their heads after Burke already drafted Morgan Rielly, also a defenseman, along with a ton of NHL ready defenseman.

Finn getting used to the Toronto media.

Good ol’ Burkie was not done there. He decided to trade young defenseman Luke Schenn straight up for James Van Riemsdyk. Luke joined his brother Braden in the city of brotherly love (Philadelphia) where there is this new thing going around the NHL where brothers united and try and dominate like the Sedins. I do not know if the Schenn’s will dominate but they will be great players together. As for JVR, he brings size and scoring touch to the Leafs front end along with a locked up contract at a very young age, 23. This trade made sense for both teams as Philly needed big, strong defense and the Toronto was in need of sizable forwards. Both were young and locked up to long term contacts it was a win-win for both teams, although I think the Leafs lost it due to that I have a man crush on Luke Schenn and always will, but I’m sure I will grow on JVR.

As for free agent frenzy, there was tons of actions going around. More then 50+ signings, 125 million+ in contracts and an league overhaul and in 1 day. The Leafs did nothing big so far as the FA period runs all through the summer and season till February.  Jay Mclement was signed by Burke on the fist day to a 2 year, $3 million contract. He is a centre with some size who is good on the penalty kill. A spot where the Leafs need a major turn around. I am not sure what the plan is for him but we will just have to wait. Along with Mclement, Matt Frattin, Ryan Hamilton and Jussi Rynnas were also signed. Being the first day of free agency I was not expecting anything from Burke especially in a weak market. Mclement is a bonus. What we would all like to see is a Ryan Suter or a Zach Parise donning the Blue and white but it does not look good so far. We will just have to wait and see what is next in the Brain Burke ‘plan’. Till next time.

The old and the new.

GO LEAFS GO!

-Daniel Testa