Possible Leaf trades upcoming
With the realization that the Leafs cannot be players in the free agent market, trade possibilities are being explored to either 1.) upgrade the club at all positions, or 2.) (more likely) position the club for next season.
1.) Ed Belfour is now actively being shopped. Teams that have been contacted for his services include Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and the Rangers. There is surprising interest in his services, especially since his contract for this season is less money than Nik Khabibulin received from Chicago, and represents a 1-year commitment.
The asking price is two conditional draft picks (2nd and 3rd rounders) or a younger, hustling, role-playing forward who can score a bit, or a depth defenseman. Look for the Leafs to trade for Jocelyn Thibault (for a low draft pick) should this occur. But, the other, more realistic possibilty is:
2.) Buffalo is pushing very hard for a solid defenseman on the roster. They have contacted the Leafs multiple times in the past two days regarding Ken Klee, Karel Pilar, and Tomas Kaberle. Pilar looks to be staying in Toronto because he is at the league minimum, and Kaberle is regarded as too expensive. That leaves Klee. Klee is marketable because he's relatively low-paid (1.9 million) and would provide veteran stability to a young Buffalo roster.
Buffalo has three goalies, and the Leafs have asked for Biron as compenation for Klee. Should this happen, in a nutshell - on Monday, expect the three following moves to be undertaken by the Leafs:
1.) Klee and a low draft pick is traded to Buffalo for Biron
2.) Belfour is traded to Tampa Bay for future considerations (the word is, conditional draft picks)
3.) Scott Stevens (should NJ decide not to sign him) and Brad Bombardir to be signed
An outside possibility, should Belfour be traded, would be acquiring Stevens (who would be Klee's replacement) and Roman Hamrlik, whom the Leafs could now afford if Belfour's contract is dumped. The other possibility, should Stevens remain with NJ, would be Hamrlik, and Bombardir/Jason York/or Glen Wesley, as Ferguson has been in contact with the agents for all these players since Thursday night.
With the exception of Stevens, the net effect of these moves would be a younger roster that is cheaper and physical.
1.) Ed Belfour is now actively being shopped. Teams that have been contacted for his services include Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and the Rangers. There is surprising interest in his services, especially since his contract for this season is less money than Nik Khabibulin received from Chicago, and represents a 1-year commitment.
The asking price is two conditional draft picks (2nd and 3rd rounders) or a younger, hustling, role-playing forward who can score a bit, or a depth defenseman. Look for the Leafs to trade for Jocelyn Thibault (for a low draft pick) should this occur. But, the other, more realistic possibilty is:
2.) Buffalo is pushing very hard for a solid defenseman on the roster. They have contacted the Leafs multiple times in the past two days regarding Ken Klee, Karel Pilar, and Tomas Kaberle. Pilar looks to be staying in Toronto because he is at the league minimum, and Kaberle is regarded as too expensive. That leaves Klee. Klee is marketable because he's relatively low-paid (1.9 million) and would provide veteran stability to a young Buffalo roster.
Buffalo has three goalies, and the Leafs have asked for Biron as compenation for Klee. Should this happen, in a nutshell - on Monday, expect the three following moves to be undertaken by the Leafs:
1.) Klee and a low draft pick is traded to Buffalo for Biron
2.) Belfour is traded to Tampa Bay for future considerations (the word is, conditional draft picks)
3.) Scott Stevens (should NJ decide not to sign him) and Brad Bombardir to be signed
An outside possibility, should Belfour be traded, would be acquiring Stevens (who would be Klee's replacement) and Roman Hamrlik, whom the Leafs could now afford if Belfour's contract is dumped. The other possibility, should Stevens remain with NJ, would be Hamrlik, and Bombardir/Jason York/or Glen Wesley, as Ferguson has been in contact with the agents for all these players since Thursday night.
With the exception of Stevens, the net effect of these moves would be a younger roster that is cheaper and physical.
posted by Wardo at 1:13 PM
1 Comments:
It's hard to say - a lot of these are really up in the air right now, and dependent on what talent is acquired/signed by other teams.
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