Nikolai Zherdev's Non-signing...

It seems pretty much set in stone that Brian Burke is not looking to sign Russian sniper Nikolai Zherdev. He seems to have great on ice ability and is oozing of potential . He has had a few good years in New York and has shown that he can handle the spotlight. We all know Burke’s interest wasn’t toned down because of Zherdev’s offensive skills but it was toned down because of his attitude.

Nik Zherdev’s attitude really irks prospective buyers for this player because he has shown to be quite disruptive and is certainly selfish on the ice and off the ice. Burke already has a negative outlook towards players who go to arbirtation because it shows a sign of greed and selfishness. Brian Burke would certainly have pondered the idea of taking a risk and signing this fantastic talent but I think he had great foresight and decided to not pursue this any further. There are certain times in the summer where a team will see an opportunity to make a splash but the teams that make good choices and think for the long term betterment of the team are the ones that succeed and become dynasties. Quick fixes have become a routine here in Toronto and Burke is certainly changing that outlook with a great support staff, this is nothing to take away from Zherdev’s on ice capabilities he just needs to learn to play for the team.

Leafs’ fans will certainly begin feeling edgy as Kaberle’s no trade clause deadline (August 15^th) approaches and as the season approaches because they want to see improvements made with the top six forwards we currently have. The calmness of Brian Burke who is basically waiting it out is eerie for Leafs fans who are used to idiotic moves that make no sense at all.

Perhaps it’s time we look at the non-signing of Nikolai Zherdev as a positive and see this as the right step forward. We have just gotten rid of the “Country club” feeling that was always present in the past years. Hopefully we won’t see any more of this in the future just like Burke has avoided it in the present so beautifully.

The Expectations of Brian Burke

"Our goal is to make the playoffs. I don't know if we're good enough to make the playoffs yet. But that's our goal. These were the exact words used by Brian Burke prior to the off season when asked about his expectations from the team last year. Brian Burke is a fantastic general manager for Toronto due to him being so upfront and honest with his expectations, goals and views. Unfortunately, I honestly believe he might just be building up hype for what will turn out to be a decent season but one without playoffs.

I am a die hard Leafs fan but sometimes it’s best to realize the truth before it comes and hurts you later on. The team Burke has built is an decent one with a lot of depth at the defensive end of the spectrum , a sturdy bottom six with grit and a respectable goaltending pair. We all know the one area this team lacks in and that’s the top six department. This whole top six business has been run ragged in the Toronto media so I am not really going to blabber too much about that. It’s an evident problem but not one I think is necessarily the major issue in Burke’s goal.

The Issue that I feel is being missed by many is that this team has basically been torn up and rebuilt Burke’s way. If this was NHL 09 then I wouldn’t probably be writing this article, unfortunately for you and me this isn’t the case and the main fact is that these players haven’t played hockey together as a team. This is what will come back and hurt us and rid us the chance of making the playoffs. I r eally see this team having a rocky season with a ton of ups and downs due to the unfamilarity to the conditions for some players. There will be various issues such as adjusting with new teammates and their tendencies, getting used to Ron Wilson’s system or just getting used to the intense atmosphere here in Toronto.

I really hope these guys prove me wrong and gel quickly as a unit but it seems quite unlikely. This is all before the problem with the top six forwards. Brian Burke’s moves are heaviliy scrutinised to see if he has won or lost in each deal and he seems to be winning most of his deals right now. Does this mean he is going to be successful? Nope. I am sure he knows as well that until we see these guys on the ice playing together as one unit we are basically hoping for a bunch of individuals to succeed in a new environment.

In the end, all we can do is cheer these new guys on and watch the rookies of last year develop and become stronger players for what hopefully will be a team that goes to the playoffs every year. This upcoming season will be crucial no matter what Burke’s expecatations are of this group.

GO LEAFS GO!

Top 5 Leafs Games Next Season!

I have decided to come up with a list of 5 games that I think are either going to be important for the Leafs or exciting for the Leafs' fans. This is obviously my personal opinion and others may think differently, but at least hear me out before saying something.

1. Regular Season Opener & Home Opener: Leafs vs Habs (Oct 1st)

No matter who comes out on top, it's going to be a bloodbath and an excellent preview for the rest of the season in terms of the Leafs' toughness and the improvement on the defensive end of the game.

2. First Road Game: Leafs vs Caps (Oct 3rd)

How will our newly acquired defense handle the extremely dominating offense of the Washington Capitals? How will the Leafs handle Ovechkin? These questions will all be answered on October 3rd when the Leafs face the Caps and I am going to keenly be watching this game.

3. Leafs vs Thrashers (Dec 7th)

This game will obviously not be exciting for the on ice action although watching Ilya Kovalchuk dominate is exciting sometimes. The main storyline behind this game will be the return of Antropov and Kubina to Toronto. It'll be awkward to see these two play against us even though we saw Antropov with the Rangers last season.

4. Leafs vs Islanders (Dec 9th)

The franchise will be coming to Toronto. Of course that is only possible if he's still playing in the NHL by December. I really want to see Tavares play in Toronto and see how he copes with the pressure. This game might be set up beautifully if Tavares is doing really well.

5. Leafs vs Canadiens (Apr 10th)

Hopefully we will already be in the playoffs and the Canadiens will be rotting in the Eastern Conference Basement. There is no other special reason for me choosing this game but it is always nice to see these two fight it out on the ice.

Valid Free Agent Options...

Burke during his press conference did state that they might not be finished with their spending spree just yet. i am sure they might have a few offers out there that are being pondered over by the handful of free agents that are currently jobless.

Now most Leafs fans will be wondering who these guys are that the Leafs might still have interest in. Of course our major weakness is up front right now and obviously there aren't any exceptional top 6 forwards out there, but there are a few guys Burke might consider signing.

Here are some of the guys that Burke might still be considering for his team...

* Manny Malhotra

* Alex Tanguay

* Todd Bertuzzi

*Dominic Moore

I have chosen these guys as possible targets for Burke because they could boost lineup of forwards.

Manny Malhotra is a fantastic 3rd liner that gets his job done efficiently. A Mississauga native he definitely has ties to this city and would surely bring his best to the team and he would know how much it means to the fans to win. Manny is a great Penalty killer and his faceoff winning attributes do nothing but boost his value. He does everything that Burke wants and he does it well. A guy with leadership qualities on and off the ice really make it hard to not give his agent a ring to give him an offer.

Alex Tanguay is a funny one for Brian Burke and his team to mull over. He has a ton of skill but is questioned for his heart and his motivation levels at certain points of the season. There really is a good reason for the Habs to let him go. They know he is a brilliant playmaker right up there with the best but no one really wants a guy who doesn't care. Burke would be contradicting himself if he signs this guy but you can't ignore talent like Tanguay's.

Todd Bertuzzi is what you call a prototypical Burkian (really annoying isn't it?) power forward, he brings all the hard hitting qualities that makes Burke's mouth drool. He does have a past that hinders his ability to garner the big bucks cause he sure has talent and he really does know how to get to the front of the net. He would be a nice addition to the top 6 no doubt about it.

Dominic Moore has shown that he can excel in this market and that's a plus point. Obviously he didn't agree on a contract when Burke was offering him one and you would wonder if Burke would want a greedy guy like Moore. Burke needs to put his ego behind him and realize that the chemistry between Moore and Blake was amazing and if Moore is willing to come back for the price Burke was offering him then he should accept him back with open arms.

These are the guys that I think Burke will make an effort to sign and he might already have made an offer to all of them or at least some of them. It will be interesting to see where all of these guys head by the end of the off season.

Trade offer for a D-Man?

During Brian Burke's press conference today, he calmly stated that he had received a major trade offer for a D-man other then Tomas Kaberle. As usual he has said something that will set this city on fire for the next week or so with the numerous amounts of rumours that will pop up.

Whatever happens it seems that the trade probably won't go down this week as Burke in his interview on AM640 stated that he's going to take a little break and go fishing (too much info perhaps lol). If anything is supposed to happen in the near future for the Leafs it will be the signing of Farjestads captain Rickard Wallin who has some interest in coming back to the NHL after having an unsuccessful attempt the first time around.

It certainly is a different off season for Leafs fans who are used to mediocrity at best when it comes to our offseason moves. Burke has been a breath of fresh air and not to undermine the guys who work under him especially Nonis.

It will certainly be interesting to see who made this offer to Burke and who were the guys involved. I am sure someone will release the names soon enough, Eklund is probably already coming up with the names right now LMAO.

The Monster Is Here.

Jonas Gustavvson has finally made his choice (thank goodness you would think he was some superstar) and he has chosen well indeed by signing with the Leafs. Will he turn out to be a superstar for the Leafs? No one knows, but I can assure you one thing he will get ample opportunities to prove himself worthy of playing in the NHL.

Brian Burke has worked his magic on yet another youngster and has wooed him to Toronto. It certainly feels good to have a high quality GM heading your team instead of incompetent ones we've had in the past.

Burke's next order of business will most likely be to find a top 6 forward to lead his team from the front. Will he go for another free agent to fix this aspect, by free agent i mean Tanguay? Or will he go via the trade route and use Kaberle to gain that forward he and his team covets? Most likely we will see a trade go down, there are many teams that are being linked up to the Leafs in terms of wanting Kaberle, but who will truly step up to the plate and give a proper offer?

There have been rumours flying around that there is a trade on the table that would go through once Gustavvson decides. Well he has made his decision and we wait to see what happens with this supposed trade. Of course this rumour has come from none other then the most honest Eklund so we know how much we should lean towards it happening. Whatever happens though, Burke really has stepped up his game and it's paying off big time.

Convo Between Beauchemin and Burke!

A little attempt by me at some humour. Not sure if it came off that well but that's for you to decide.

*Burke rings up Beauchemin's phone*

Beau: Hello?

Burke: Hey Beau.

Beau: Burke?... why'd you call me?

Burke: I have an offer for you so that you can play for the Leafs.

Beau: Come on now. I don't want to play for the Leafs, I'm a Habs fan.

Burke: Son. I have some questions for you. Are you short? Are you pathetic? ARE YOU WEAK!!?

Beau: NO!

Burke (calmly): then the Habs won't want you.

Beau: But I really wanted to play for my dear Habs. Plus what do you guys have that would attract me to Toronto?

Burke: We have proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and....

Nonis (in the background): That's really getting annoying now Burkie...

Burke: ...Belligerance. That's what we have and that's what you have. It's a perfect match.

Beau: Yeah... so now can you tell me what you said in English? Plus I just can't think of signing with the Leafs and betraying my fans in Montreal...

Burke: 3 years, 11.4 million?

Beau: Done!

Burke: Good doing business with ya.