So it looks like someone in the corner office at a certain multi-billion entertainment corporation based in Toronto, known as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, finally figured out that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the team that consistently reels in the most money (by a long shot). They are also one of the richest teams in the NHL. And it looks like a certain individual placed in that corner office, a hockey hall of famer, and former Detroit Red Wings star, Brendan Shanahan, has finally seen enough. The fans have seen enough. Even the Benchwarmer has seen enough—it has been a record month since I last watched the Leafs sputter on the ice and melt into a pitiful puddle of Zamboni fluid.
With the rant out of the way, it’s time to get to the point of all this. Gone are Nonis and his predecessors’ short-term solutions; bargaining on once-promising looking players to contracts beyond the likes of what they’ve earned (Clarkson, Franson, etc.)—Shanahan has gotten the boardroom’s approval for an Edmonton-style, long-term overhaul. Only it had better go a lot better than it has in Edmonton for Shanahan to still be sitting in the corner office 3-4 years from now.
The first sign came when D Cody Franson and blue-collar utility forward Mike Santorelli were shipped to Nashville for a first-round pick in this year’s draft, prospect Brendan Leipsic and trailblazer Olli Jokinen. Jokinen was then flipped to the St. Louis Blues on trade deadline day for a sixth-round draft pick this year and older forward Joakim Lindstrom (who is not expected to stay beyond the end of the year). Shortly before the deadline, Nonis pulled the unthinkable and managed to unload the dangerously overpaid designated-penalty moron David Clarkson by shipping him to budget-squeezed Columbus in exchange for former Bruins scary-good forward Nathan Horton. On the off chance that Horton ever does recover from his likely-permanent back injury, the Leafs could have a legitimate forward on their hands. If not, at least he doesn’t count against the salary cap—after all, it’s not like MLSE can’t afford to pay for someone not to play.
So… trading for picks, freeing up cap space… it all points in one direction: The Leafs are in full-blown re-building mode. But why not try to move Kessel or Phaneuf then? If this was a real urgent tear-down, why not try to work something? Nonis and Co. are wise. Unloading 2015 unrestricted free agents in exchange for rentals is a good idea. Their salaries will not count towards the cap in the future, and that means more money to spend when the young core is nearly ready. It will be easier to manufacture a good deal with one or both of Kessel and Phaneuf in the summer time, when borderline teams have a better idea of the pieces they need. Either of those players should reel in a decent prospect or two, or several first and second round picks in the 2016 draft.
Another one I would try to trade: Nazem Kadri. He has had a promising season, and they could get something decent for him. His attitude here has been sub-optimal, and it is not good to have a negative influence on what could be the next hockey superstars if Leafs scouts can get their act together.
The next generation of Leafs starts with D-men Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, as well as netminder Jonathan Bernier. The rest of the core should be built out from there. Drafting high-scoring skill players is absolutely paramount. 2013 first-rounder Frédérik Gauthier is not what they should have in mind here—there’s a good reason he saw limited ice time at the World Juniors this year. They need to find those like Jordan Eberle and John Tavares, coachable players with character, discipline, hockey IQ and most importantly, a ton of skill.
It’s no small task. And Toronto is not a patient hockey market. But in the unlikely even they do succeed (if the Raptors haven’t taken over yet)… the madness and glory of “Leafs Nation” will be back with a storm.
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