Slow Change

The Toronto Maple Leafs went into the 2008-2009 season with low expectations. One could argue that they overachieved, finishing 7th last instead of right at the bottom of the standings. The team showed their ability to fight and stay within games with 13 overtime losses which was only second to Tampa Bay. While that spirit is good for team morale it did not help their position in the standings, giving them the same draft pick that they entered the previous draft with.

With their season over the Leafs head into the off-season in order to continue their rebuild. It will be the first off-season as the Leafs GM for Brian Burke and he’ll get his chance to make more changes to the roster. Even before the season was over Burke was attempting to change this team through college free agents. College free agent signings generally aren’t successful, but acquisitions of Christian Hanson and Tyler Bozak offer the possibilities of gaining a useful part of the Leafs future. The Leafs also signed Viktor Stalberg who is a Leafs prospect in college. Robert Slaney of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was also signed recently and with all these players there is hope that part of the core will be found here.

Toronto isn’t limiting themselves to the college ranks for finding talent. The Leafs are also attempting to sign Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson. They will have to wait until after the World Hockey Championship before a contract can be signed with him. Yet the Leafs along with Dallas are in the running for the talented 24 year old goalie. At the very least Gustavsson will have an opportunity to challenge Toskala for the starters job. He put up some great numbers over in Sweden and would provide some nice depth to the goaltending position.

After signings the next step for continuing the rebuild is a successful draft. The Leafs head into this draft with 6 selections with possibly another fourth rounder coming their way if the Rangers advance far enough into the playoffs. With three selections in the top sixty there is an opportunity to restock the prospect shelves with quality. Similarly to last season the Leafs have the 7th overall selection and have decisions to make. Last year they traded that selection to move up and select Luke Schenn who had a very solid first season with the Leafs. It is more than possible to move up once again if the Leafs would like to control their destiny. They don’t sit outside of the upper class of prospects so they do not have to move up. While they won’t get Tavares or Hedman at the 7th spot they can still get a very talented young player. One of Evander Kane, Brayden Schenn, Jared Cowen, or Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson will be available and the Leafs would not be going wrong with selecting one of them.

However statements by Burke have made it clear that the Leafs will attempt to move up if at all possible. The goal to get John Tavares may not be achieved, but it would still be possible to get a very good player if the Leafs could move up into the top 3. At that spot they would have the ability to get one of Tavares, Hedman, or Duchene. Of course moving up would not be an easy thing especially if they wanted the top spot. They do have the ability to add picks by moving one of Kaberle or Kubina who will have their NTC’s temporarily voided due to the team failing to make the playoffs. Now Burke hasn’t stated he is eager to move one of them, but the possibility is open.

After the draft will come free agency which is another important part of the offseason. With the cap unlikely to move much this year and possibly drop next year teams will have to be cautious about spending. That could allow the Leafs who can spend to whatever cap to pick up players more cheaply than would be possible in a normal year. Burke will have to decide what players he wants to keep around and acquire the ones he wants. What Burke plans will be easier to predict after any draft day deals have been completed and he deals with restricted free agents such as Mikhail Grabovski.

This offseason is an important one for Toronto. They have the ability to improve the teams young core with their draft selections and possible free agent signings. The management of this team has been solidified and now the next step is moving forward. Burke has the money and the people around him to help guide this team toward the goal of an eventual Stanley Cup. Now the only thing to do is watch and see how he makes that happen.