I’m not sure if you read it last year in it’s premiere edition, but today was the official launch of the 2010-2011 Maple Leafs Annual magazine. It’s a great season preview for your Toronto Maple Leafs. The nice thing about the Annual, which, in my opinion is unique is that it is almost entirely written by your favorite “independent journalists” (bloggers).

So what will you find inside the magazine?:

-Detailed player by player scouting information, advanced statistics and innovative statistical graphics for the 2010-11 roster
-An interview with GM Brian Burke on change and the outlook for 2010-11
-A look at the controversial legacy of 1960s Leafs head coach Punch Imlach, with reflections from Leaf greats Johnny Bower, Red Kelly, Dick Duff, Larry Hillman & more
-A position by position look at the 2010-11 Leafs roster
-The inside scoop on the Leafs’ 2010 off-season additions, organizational philosophy and evaluation with Leafs Vice President of Hockey Operations Dave Poulin
-A review of the 2010 draft with the perspective of Leafs head scout Dave Morrison
Statistical analysis of the importance of first round picks: can the Leafs go their own way?
-Analysis of the Leafs’ cap situation with looks at the constitution of past Cup winners
-A Nazem Kadri feature (including thoughts from Morrison and director of player development Jim Hughes) & list of the Leafs’ Top Prospects in Fall 2010 & Darkhorses
-An interview with potential sixth round steal Jerry D’Amigo
-An in-depth look at the Marlies’ season that was and will be with thoughts from head coach Dallas Eakins, Poulin, Jay Rosehill and Tim Brent
-Projections for the Leafs offense and defense
-An in-depth, goalie-by-goalie scouting evaluation of Leaf netminders (Gustavsson, Giguere, Scrivens, Reimer, Rynnas) with The Goalie Guild’s Justin Goldman
-Takes on how new media is changing coverage of the team with thoughts from MLSE social media strategist Jonathan Sinden

Yours truly was fortunate enough to participate again this year. Last year I did an off-season review this year I had the pleasure to interview Brian Burke. Yes it was a different chat than the one I did on the Pressbox.

I found copies of the magazine all over the GTA, however if you are antsy or in a different city you can pre-order here

This is a good publication folks, it’s perfect for every leaf fan and you show your support to the federation of independent journalists (it’s kinda like the royal order of water buffaloes)

It’s a work in progress and there isn’t a deadline.

No, this isn’t an ideal school project for a high school senior, but instead the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brian Burke has pulled off numerous blockbuster deals since coming to Toronto approximately 18 months ago, but a few more deals, and the ones that will probably make or break his time here, have yet to be completed.

He traded for Phil Kessel and in doing so gave up the right to draft Tyler Seguin, something that had to sting no matter how brave a face he puts on for the Toronto media. By the way, if the Leafs didn’t have Kessel all season they likely would’ve ended up with the 1st overall pick and had their choice of Taylor Hall or Seguin.

He traded for Dion Phaneuf in a deal that no one saw coming and few believed actually happened. With the deal he instantly got a new face for a franchise that was faceless since Mats Sundin left two summers ago, whether it is the right face or not is yet to be determined.

He traded for Kris Versteeg in what is one of the most shocking turn of events in the NHL’s history as never has a Stanley Cup champion team been dismantled so quickly, of course it’s not by choice but it’s shocking nonetheless. Trading three prospects, good or not, for a top-six forward is always risky, but bolds Burke’s statement that he isn’t interested in a long rebuild.

Let’s call it a short-term rebuild with the interest to re-tool.

Interesting it is indeed, most don’t believe in it, but then again most don’t need to keep Larry Tanenbaum & Co. happy.

Three blockbusters thus far in his young career as Leafs general manager and you get the sense it’s just the beginning. He is able to trade his most prized possession of the off-season in Kaberle for another month, whether or not it will happen remains to be seen, but it should happen.

Kaberle’s been a great player for this mediocre team for numerous years, but this team has tons of depth on the back end that it can afford to move him for a forward, but moving him for a draft pick at this point would be counter-productive to how Brian Burke is building this team.

The play of Carl Gunnarsson last season should ease Burke’s decision, if he didn’t develop as much as he did Kaberle would need to be kept as one of the lone puck-moving defensemen they have. But, Gunnarsson may be ready for a chance on the first power play unit and that can’t happen with Kaberle quarterbacking.

The decision would have been even easier had Dan Hamhuis or Paul Martin signed with the Leafs last week, but they settled for Brett Lebda. He’s a guy who didn’t get much recognition around the league but anyone who’s watched the Red Wings play knows he was a quality player on a team that takes defense very seriously and he immediately surpasses Jeff Finger on the depth chart.

Of course, there is also the option to keep Kaberle and move one of your other defensemen. Immediately, the name Luke Schenn comes to mind as he is still young enough to have considerable value around the league, especially for a guy who has been in the league two years and hasn’t been able to develop a good point shot.

He’s been compared to Adam Foote, but let’s not call Adam Foote names without him being able to defend himself. He was a force on the back end of many championship teams with Colorado; Schenn won’t be more than a good middle-pairing shut down rearguard.

Maybe package him with Mikhail Grabovski, a guy who does not fit into the template of the kind of team you are building but would still be of use on another team as a centre who can produce 40-55 points a season.

The template I am referring to is that of a top-six forward unit who puts up the points and a bottom-six forward unit who shuts down the other teams scorers and isn’t afraid to stick up for teammates. Grabovski falls into neither category and is thus trade bait.

Package them for whom? Hmm, maybe a restricted free agent on the west coast such as Bobby Ryan, just throwing that out there.

Being able to get a top-six forward without having to deal your best first-pass defenseman would be vital to any success the Leafs want to have next season.

Everyone knows Burke’s vision; it’s just unclear as to how he is going to go about achieving it.

Ah yes, it feels like it’s just the beginning.

Hopefully for the faithful of the blue and white it’s not the beginning of the end.

Yes it’s true, a championship this season for the Leafs is highly unlikely and almost impossible to imagine, but isn’t it always in a work in progress.

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Brian Burke and Dave Nonis et all have made an early strike in what he called his draft , NHL free agency, by pulling off a trade with the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks:

“Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced a multi-player trade with the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday evening. The Maple Leafs have obtained right-winger Kris Versteeg and the rights to left-winger Bill Sweatt (pronounced SWEHT). In exchange, the Blackhawks will receive forwards Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis.Versteeg, 24, appeared in 79 regular season games in 2009-10 and recorded 20 goals and 24 assists to place sixth in Blackhawks’ team scoring. He was +8 with four game-winners and four goals on the powerplay. As a member of the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup championship team this season, Versteeg tallied six goals and eight assists in 22 postseason games. He was +4 with 14 minutes in penalties and contributed two game-winning goals while averaging 17:12 of ice time. Versteeg also reached the 20-goal plateau in 2008-09 when he collected 22 goals and added 31 assists in 78 contests for Chicago. The Lethbridge, Alberta native was originally Boston’s fourth choice, 134th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft.

Sweatt, 21, was Chicago’s second choice, 38th overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft. The native of Elburn, Illinois has completed four seasons at Colorado College of the NCAA. In 143 college games, he scored 46 goals and added 63 assists for 109 points.”

So it begins Leaf fans…one question for you (and I will post the trade reaction when there is enough of it) what are your realistic expectations for tomorrow- what do the Leafs have to do to earn an A or above grade?

I’m not sure what’s worse, seeing teams pass over you, or knowing that as teams do pass over you that you are wearing a mic and a camera is on you. This is excellent, yet excruciating footage of now Anaheim Duck Cam Fowler waiting what must have seemed like hours before his name was called at the NHL Draft. The absolute highlight is Craig Button coming over and giving him a pep talk- that is 100% genuine class.

It’s funny how quickly things change. In a New York minute, some have said. Well, it seems that the attitude of Toronto Maple Leaf beat writer has suddenly changed. Remember the drawl of one Howard Berger???? He who could never say a positive thing about our Toronto Maple leafs !!!! My my how his tone seems to have changed.

Suddenly the team that could do no right seems to be having second thoughts:

“Whether or not you believe he can pull it off, general manager Brian Burke deserves credit for consistency in his stated desire to build the Leafs quickly and unconventionally. With that in mind, Marc Savard would be a near-perfect addition to the Blue & White.”

Huh? Near perfect? Do I sense sarcasm?

“Burke’s modus operandi is fully transparent: He wants to add front-line players to a club that has cornered the market on third and fourth-liners in the post-lockout NHL. In his first full season with the Leafs, he brought Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf and Jean-Sebastien Giguere to the club [though Giguere’s time as a premier goalie in the league may be in the past]. We can, and probably will, argue indefinitely the outlay for Kessel, but he is unquestionably a top-level scorer. Kulemin, though younger than Savard, will never develop the same impact as one of the most skilled play-makers in the league, and Savard is still young enough to help the Leafs for another half-decade… if he can avoid further noggin damage. This, of course, assumes that Boston would accept Kulemin for Savard; and that Tomas Kaberle is not part of the trade discussion, as per several sources.”

Wow. A somewhat fair and balanced editorial by a guy who only weeks ago had written about Burke and Wilson fawning over Dion Phaneuf to the point of sickening his teammates. One can only wonder what has caused the change.

“If Burke can acquire Savard for an un-signed middle-of-the-road forward with a decent up-side – and then perhaps exchange Kaberle for another established, young forward [how about to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal?] – he’ll at least be following his avowed plan. Double-B is quick to remind us that he isn’t ignoring the Leafs’ future by going this route… not after accruing such college and European free agents as Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, Jonas Gustavsson and Brayden Irwin, with Nazem Kadri waiting his turn in junior. And, the GM may be bang-on in that assessment. He may also believe it is absolutely essential to maximize his investment in Kessel, and bringing in Savard would appear logical to that endeavor, while providing the Maple Leafs another top-of-the-line NHLer.”

So not only referencing some positive moves by Burke but also dropping a rumour/ suggestion that he would hammer any fan for even mention!

“So, let’s see how this plan unfolds. In the four seasons prior to 2009-10, Savard played all 82 games three times and missed eight games once. His assist totals in that span were 63, 63, 74 and 69 – superb numbers. He obviously meshed well in Boston with Kessel. And, he’d look pretty smart in blue and white.”

Can you believe this? Actually rooting for the move to be made, it’s like we’ve gone back in time to when he used to report from his heart….

Why the change????

Well sports fans, as many of my “bird dogs” were telling me about the changes in the sports radio scene in Toronto, on more than one occasion it was inferred that perhaps Howie could take over the beat for Maple Leafs radio broadcasts- which are now controlled by 640 Toronto.

Personally I discounted the banter as impossible to imagine. That was before Gord Stellick was shown the door at the fan. Could Howie be warming up his Maple Leafs love in preparation for a move up the dial? I’m not suggesting it’s gonna happen, but something in Howie has changed. First the apology and now this….

Hmmmmmmmm

From boston’s Logan airport

Tsm

@yyzsportsmedia

You can find bergers blog at bergers blog

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence

“We’re not going to ambush anyone. I’ve done this a couple of times. I’m not going to be able to sneak up on anyone,”
“They’ve seen this movie.”
“We’ll immediately attempt to move up,”
“We’re going to talk to everyone between us and the first pick and see what the landscape is.”
“We’re going to see what it costs and we’re going to try and move up.”

Remember the buzz last year leading up to the draft? Burke was all over the press talking about making moves, moving up in the draft to get Tavares etc….

This year?????

CRICKETS CHIRPING

Amazing how quiet he’s been. Remember how silent he was prior to the Phaneuf and JSG deals? Silence speaks louder than words in Burke’s World……

It’s interesting to read Howard Berger’s latest blog:

“IS BURKE ANGLING TO MAKE THE PROVERBIAL “SPLASH” AT THE DRAFT AND IN FREE AGENCY? This train of thought, in my opinion, is being overblown for the second consecutive year. It is part of the mindset primarily because Burke is Burke: loud, direct and unambiguous. As a result of that – and the yearning of an increasingly anxious fan-base – it is somehow expected the Leafs’ manager will be the star of the show in Los Angeles and beyond. Who knows? It may unfold as predicted. But, the potential for the club to improve isn’t necessarily tied to a grandiose display by double-B. Amid the anticipation of last year’s draft in Montreal – much of it engendered by Burke’s public desire to wrest the No. 1 pick from the New York Islanders – the Leafs ultimately came away with their allotted selection, landing forward Nazem Kadri of the London Knights seventh overall. A trade that would have sent Tomas Kaberle to the Bruins for Kessel was aborted. In the end, Burke made precious little “noise” but it could be looked upon as an exceptional draft for the Leafs, if Kadri is able to apply his enormous skill-set in the NHL. It is also important to remember that Burke was very active during the past season, acquiring Kessel; the team’s new captain, Dion Phaneuf; a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, while brilliantly purging two of the most un-movable players and contracts in the league – Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala. That’s quite a body of work, and it doesn’t include the college and European free agents the Leafs have acquired in the past year. So, it’ll likely be difficult for Burke to “one-up” himself in the ensuing weeks, though I suspect he’ll grab a headline or two.”

Who is making this claim this year? When Berger says “because Burke is Burke: loud, direct and unambiguous”, ask yourself this, has Burke been any of those these things this year???????

Could there be a starker contrast then the lead up to the draft last year and this year?????

It seems that things are always busiest when they are the quietest…

Get ready for something to happen.

By the way, I think Howard should stick to the feel good stories. His blog post about his father, and his relationships with his kids was good. The piece on Brian Burke was excellent. His writing is much better when his heart is really in it as opposed to the fluff he has been writing for some time.

You’ve asked for my opinion on the Habs trading of Jaroslav -Aff – Halak???

Well, this is the best line I have seen so far:

“If I didn’t know better, I would think that Brian Burke is making the calls for Montreal on the hot-wire from Toronto, with an eye to making certain they win nothing for another 17 years.”

That gem from Jack Todd via Red Fisher….

“Is this the time to mention that, in addition to what may be the worst trade since (Patrick) Roy to Colorado, the Canadiens fired six scouts after picking up a $30-million windfall in the playoffs, thanks to Halak.”

Read more of Todd/Fisher’s crucifixion of Montreal Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier trading of Jaroslav Halak here.

Do you remember when I read the following to Brian Burke on the TSM Pressbox (it’s at approximately the 20 minute mark):

“There appears to be no limit to which Burke and Wilson will publicly fawn over Phaneuf; in fact, my bird-dogs tell me the open love-fest between Wilson and Phaneuf late in the season left others in the dressing room on the verge of nausea.”

Do you remember what Brian Burke asked me after I finished reading the above quote?

“Who wrote it”

Do you remember Burke’s response when I told Brian that the author was Howard Berger?

“Next question”

Now, Burke went on to explain, firstly saying that Howard is a nice enough guy and all but “the time he(Berger) spends coming up with rumours like this….Who are his bird dogs in the dressing room who talk to Howard? I think it’s a very short list.”

Now, if you’ve been the one to be reading Berger’s blog of late you will see that he has been very busy covering all the potential basis so that is “bird dogs” are all happy enough to keep talking to him. You’ve noticed he predictable shot at the choice that we’ve come to expect, the pitfalls etc.

Oddly enough however, take a look at what appeared in this mornings edition of the Berger:

“Upon seeing the reaction of a couple of players [one of whom is still with the team] to Phaneuf’s continuous, resounding endorsement of Wilson – both impishly jabbing with forefinger at their open mouths – I stupidly wrote that “…the love-fest between Phaneuf and Wilson, late in the season, left others in the dressing room on the verge of nausea”. This was a blunt over-statement; vehemently unfair to Burke, Wilson and Phaneuf. In fact, any chance Phaneuf has of succeeding as captain – in concert with the requisite personnel boost – hinges greatly on the symmetry between player and coach. If this one is as genuine as it appears, the Leafs will profit from the relationship.

Dion Phaneuf’s time has therefore arrived – be it amid debate or agreement.”

What????? You know, my mother in law tells my wife that it’s better to not have to say your sorry than to have to give the perfect apology.

Does “blunt over-statement” mean it was made up?

I mean what does what Berger wrote have to do with Phaneuf’s ability to succeed as a captain? Isn’t this simply an attempt, after realizing the damage he may have done to any relationship he has with the now captain, to get off on the right foot??? I am not suggesting Phaneuf read the quote. I am betting someone told him about it. I mean after all the bird dogs are the ones who leaked the info in the first place right? They are the ones who classified the fawning as nearly bringing them to nausea right?

I mean did the “bird dogs” say it or not?

If they did, why was it “stupid” to write?

Burke spoke of the media having a very healthy fear of retribution for carving a guy. Isn’t that exactly what’s going on here? Suddenly Phaneuf IS the captain and Berger has bashed him and now he is fearful that Dion won’t talk to him.

Why else recant?

Look, I have no problem with an apology. We all make mistakes, I make them every day. In this case I am just a little suspicious about the reasons for them.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

The Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to name their next Captain. The team hasn’t had one since Mats Sundin flew the nest a few years back and newly acquired defenceman Dion Phaneuf is going to be the man.

This isn’t an attack on the move or the guy. Let me remind everyone that if you’ve read this website since the beginning, I have always thought that being Captain was over hyped. I’m a firm believer that good leaders lead by example and they don’t need to be appointed in a team setting in order to display leadership. By all accounts much of the new attitude in the locker-room was a result of the addition of Phaneuf. So this isn’t to say he shouldn’t be the guy. (Granted it could be argued that the change in the room was equal parts subtraction and addition- but I digress)

I do have a couple of questions though. Wilson and Burke have waited to name a captain. Perhaps only due to the fact that they both get asked all the time, in doing so they’ve made it out to be a big deal. My question is why now? Doesn’t this add a lot of pressure on a kid like Phaneuf? Dion started out as a big deal in Calgary. He was dealt for various reasons, none of which was overly positive. That is things weren’t going well for him OR the flames and it was time for a change. If he were all things that being Captain of the Maple Leafs means, then surely no one in their right mind would trade him right? You know what I mean… And yes I know all about the need for change of scenery.

He came here and immediately had an impact. Fine, great, terrific. But why do this now after you’ve waited so long?

Would anyone have wondered why another training camp began or ended with the Leafs still being captainless? If Burke or Wilson said, this isn’t the right time would anyone have gone ballistic?

Because we haven’t had one for so long this will be made into a big deal. The pressure on Dion just got way more fierce. Its one thing to be the rah rah guy in the room, but this is now Dion’s team. Others will look to him. He is the measuring stick. When they have a bad night, and some players try to sneak off, Dion has to stick around. When the tough questions get asked, he has to answer them. Cue the Dion marketing campaign.

None of this says he isn’t up to the task. Burke and Wilson have to make progress this year. The team has to get better. The pressure on guys like Dion to perform will be immense. Is adding this type of pressure really necessary? Better yet is it wise??

Despite what Burke said on the pressbox, this town, be it media, fans or both have a habit of churning out defencemen. The captain of the Maple Leafs as so presented almost has to perform at Norris trophy levels to be worthy of the honor. The captain of the Maple Leafs can’t be at the bottom of all the major stat categories. The captain of the Maple Leafs can’t be prone to turnovers or bad decisions. This is the pedestal, the mystique that has been created.

I hope Phaneuf is up to the challenge. I hope he is the guy. I also hope that he hasn’t been set up to fail. He has the big money contract. He has the hype. Given the little price the Leafs paid to get him he didn’t have HUGE unrealistic expectations on him. Most wise people recognized big upside, flashes of brilliance and the absolute low cost of acquisition. This is now a big deal. The pressure is absolutely on.

Exciting? Yes. We’ve been led to believe that this a very big deal. No one who played for this team over the last couple of years was worthy of this honor. Dion suddenly is. I don’t see anyone else in the room right now who is capable. I like Phaneuf, I just am not sure this was necessary right now.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Ahh memories of summer camp! Kudos to the guys at TMZ for getting these photos which allegedly show Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quennville cleaning up his house which got toilet papered!

Check out the photo of coach Quennville cleaning up his house here classic!