Leafs Nation Report (Toronto) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter their third OTHL season under sophomore general manager Jason Yu. Leaf nation fans everywhere were disheartened last year as the team was just three points out of a playoff spot last season. Especially disappointing was the fact that they lost their last three games of the season. Last year proved to be a huge disappointment that begun early in the pre-season with the sudden resignation of 2005-2006 general manager of the year Brian Blake. Despite the strong start, then rookie general manager Jason Yu began shipping away a group of solid veterans that helped make the Leafs cup contenders one year ago, trading the likes of Olli Jokinen, Darcy Tucker, Petr Sykora and other promising youngsters such as Alexander Semin, Wojtek Wolski, Carlo Colaiacovo and Jeff Carter. By the end of the season and after numerous transactions, all that management had to show for was an influx of inexperienced and unproven core of youngsters and a three point heartache.
Despite the much publicized outcry for Yu’s resignation, the Toronto masterminds surprised many of the Leafs faithful and opted to extend Yu to another year as the head boss in Toronto. After signing the new contract, Yu admitted to fans that several mistakes were made over the past year and vowed that new changes would be made. With the new promise, Yu started the off-season well with what was considered by many critics as a fairly successful draft, including several draft day trades.
The UFA season began with yet another heartbreak losing on the Chris Pronger sweepstakes when it was reported by many media outlets that Toronto would land the bruising Ontario native. There were several rumors that Markus Naslund, Andy Sutton and Scott Walker were aggressively pursued by Yu, but all were in vain. However, all was not lost as Brendan Shanahan and Patrick Thoresen ended up signing at the dotted line. Only one notable restricted free agent was signed: Nathan Horton to a four year deal worth $1.6 million per season.
2006 Off-Season Recap
Transactions:
Toronto: Matthew Lombardi
Anaheim: Jay McClement & 2nd TOR '06 (Cory Emmerton, 45th overall)
The first transaction made by Yu proved to be a bold move. A promising center in McClement and a high draft pick for a skilled player that has yet to live up to potential. With the likes of Brad Isbister and Krys Kolanos in the fold, Yu was playing fire. However, expectations from Leafs management are that Lombardi will have a breakout year and will finally tap into that potential.
Toronto: 1st LA '06 (Ty Wishart, 17th overall)
Anaheim: Keith Yandle
In a surprising move, Yu continued draft day trades acquiring the rights to the 17th overall for highly offensively skilled Keith Yandle. It was another daring move as it looked like Yandle would be able to crack the much depleted defensive core. The Leafs followed through with the trade and selected Ty Wishart, who has the potential to become a No.1 defenseman in the OTHL. Nevertheless, harsh criticism still awaited the team stating that it would set the development of the team further behind.
Toronto: 6th WSH '06 (Alex Bumagin 156th overall) & 6th TBL '06 (Kevin Koopman, 170th overall)
St. Louis: Ryan Turek and 7th TOR '06 (Evan Fuller, 195th overall)
After two bold moves earlier, a strange trade was made involving St. Louis, in which Toronto decided to trade a player they had selected ealier in Turek for the rights to draft later that trade. That player picked turned out to be Alex Bumagin. This deal had most critics flabbergasted. However, the verdict still awaits as to whether this deal may pay off for Toronto in the long run.
Toronto: Tyler Arnason
New Jersey: Mike Morrison
The only trade not made on draft day came several days later in which Mike Morrison became expendable with Ed Belfour, Marc-Andre Fleury and Fred Brathwaite in the system. Most experts cautioned on the side of risk, in that Arnason has thus far underperformed. Nevertheless, most felt it was worth the risk. This was perhaps the safest of all the four trades.
Acquisitions: Patrick Thoresen, Brendan Shanahan
Additions: Matthew Greene, Steve Bernier, Kurtis Foster
Deletions: Jussi Markkanen, Ruslan Salei, Krzysztof Oliwa, Craig Johnson, Steve Thomas, Chris McAllister, Ivan Ciernik
Overall, the Leafs have improved at the forward positions. Adding Lombardi and Arnason will definitely provide more offense, an area of concern last year. It provides them with great depth especially at C. Both are expected to have breakout seasons. With the core already containing Stoll, Horcoff and Weiss, the team’s C position would be their strongest asset. Although there were only two UFA signings, they were definitely of substantial significance. Shanahan will provide more than just scoring. His leadership, toughness and experience should definitely be worth the $4,500,000 he received for his services. He will be relied heavily to play in all types of situations whether on the power play, even strength or penalty kill. Thoresen was a darkhorse acquisition and many felt Toronto was fortunate to have signed him to a long term deal, considering there were at least two other teams. Thoresen will most likely spend time in the minors. However, one shouldn’t be surprised with the occaisional call-ups.
Yu also did well on continuing to stockpile the future with high blue-chip prospects including Derick Brassard, Michael Forney, Michael Frolik and Ty Wishart. The list already boasts such talents as Vjastechlav Trukhno, Dan Bertram, Loui Eriksson, Lauri Korpikoski and Radek Smolenak.
Expected to making the jump to the pro roster on opening night include Kurtis Foster, Steve Bernier and Matthew Greene. All are young with relatively high ceiling and have signed to long term pro-contract. The major focus will be shifted towards Steve Bernier who has the potential to become a power forward very much like Nathan Horton.
Despite all the improvements, they failed to addressed their most pressing concern: defense. Most of their efforts were directed at attracting Chris Pronger and many sources close to both sides confirmed serious talks between the two sides. In fact, several local media outlets prematurely confirmed that Pronger had signed with the blue and white. However, in the end, Pronger signed a long term deal with a no-trade clause with Buffalo. The most discerning thing about this was the fact that it seemed much of the energy and attention on improving the defense was focused almost solely on Pronger that other qualified suitors such as Andy Sutton and Ed Jovanovski were not properly managed. The only significant changes were the addition of rookies Kurtis Foster and Matthew Greene. The defensive makeup of this team will be very weak and there will be growing pains. It definitely will rely heavily on veteran goaltender Ed Belfour, who was a serious candidate for last season’s MVP.
All in all, the team has great depth up front and should be a force to reckon with in several years as their prospects begin to develop. However, their defence still leaves something to be desired. If the Maple Leafs can improve their defence this season, the team has the potential to become not only a playoff team but Cup contenders. It should prove difficult this season, as there appears to be many teams that have relatively improved more so than the Leafs this off-season. Nevertheless, it will be an interesting upcoming season. For now, it seems Yu has kept himself well away from the fire of criticism that surrounds a hockey crazed Canadian town.
Grade: B