What media outlet is this article from? ....very well written so quickly after the game, wow!
The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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Hmmmmmm, i really thought maybe you had wrote that Doc.... after reading your many well written articles here in the last few years, it would of made sense it was one of your own, and was thinking maybe you picked the wrong career???? 
Farewell to Francois....and more rumours
And just when Francois Beauchemin was starting to find his groove in Toronto...
Well, we knew it was only a matter of time until the dealing started. And it just started when the Leafs sent defenceman Beauchemin back to Anaheim, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2007 with Brian Burke.
Entering the hearts of Leafs Nation are forward Joffrey Lupul, highly-touted prospect Jake Gardiner and a conditional pick (fourth round) in 2013.
In 26 games this season, the 27-year-old Lupul has 5 goals and 8 assists. In 421 NHL games with Anaheim, Edmonton and Philadelphia, he has 117 goals and 121 assists for a .57 points-per-game percentage.
Rumours are also swirling around Jonas Gustavsson this afternoon but there is no official word on any change to his status with the organization. Meanwhile, John Mitchell has been placed on waivers and Burke is scheduled to address the media at 4:30 p.m.
Farewell, Francois
And just when Francois Beauchemin was starting to find his groove in Toronto...
Well, we knew it was only a matter of time until the dealing started. And it just started when the Leafs sent defenceman Beauchemin back to Anaheim, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2007 with Brian Burke.
Entering the hearts of Leafs Nation are forward Joffrey Lupul, highly-touted prospect Jake Gardiner and a conditional pick (fourth round) in 2013.
In 26 games this season, the 27-year-old Lupul has 5 goals and 8 assists. In 421 NHL games with Anaheim, Edmonton and Philadelphia, he has 117 goals and 121 assists for a .57 points-per-game percentage.
Rumours are also swirling around Jonas Gustavsson this afternoon but there is no official word on any change to his status with the organization. Meanwhile, John Mitchell has been placed on waivers and Burke is scheduled to address the media at 4:30 p.m.
Farewell, Francois
I loved the Beauchemin signing a couple seasons ago, but it has been painfully obvious this season that he doesnt have the speed to play the type of game that the young fast Leafs are playing, and it was only gonna get worse as he got older. Nice move by Burke, Lupul can step in and play on the Bozak line with MacArthur (whom he played with in the minors) and hopefully get some more offense going for the young Leafs. This also clears room for big Keith Aulie to come up (hopefully, if they feel he is ready) and show us if he is ready for prime time. But the big piece of this trade could very well turn out to be another top young defensive prospect in Jake Gardiner who was considered to be one fo the Ducks top D'men in the system, and is a offensive minded D man, something we will need in the near future.
Good luck to Francios, your are all class!
Good luck to Francios, your are all class!
It was his heart again, but word has it it was a very minor thing and he is to go on the road trip with the Marlies
Yes, I remember.
And, loyal Leaf fan that you are, you also love that he is leaving. In fact, loyal Leaf fan that you are, you love every move made by Leaf management. Ain't life grand?
This trade was a no brainer, the Leafs get a proven 20 goal scorer who still has plenty of upside at 27 yrs old, a #1 draft pick in Gardiner who has time to grow in college or with the Marlies should he turn pro later this year, and a 4th round pick in 2013. So thats 2 first rounders (Lupol also was a first rounder, the #7 overall pick in 2002) and a 4th rounder for Beauch, who is not part of the long term plans in Toronto??? Yea, love this move! If you would of told me or anyone in the hockey world that Francios would of got us 2 firsts and a 4th rounder yesterday, we all would of been ROFL! ,,,, moral of the story, Do not Underestimate Brian Burke!
This trade also allows for the highly touted big D'man Keith Aulie to come up to the Leafs and gain valuable playing time, which the way he is progressing, he should be a Top 4 Dman as soon as next season.... he was the STEAL in the Phaneuf trade.
Kaberle next? Maybe JSG? (detroit has shown interest in Jiggy i am hearing) Versteeg? (hope not, but there are rumors going around)
This trade also allows for the highly touted big D'man Keith Aulie to come up to the Leafs and gain valuable playing time, which the way he is progressing, he should be a Top 4 Dman as soon as next season.... he was the STEAL in the Phaneuf trade.
Kaberle next? Maybe JSG? (detroit has shown interest in Jiggy i am hearing) Versteeg? (hope not, but there are rumors going around)
Even though i liked Beauch & realize his 23+ minutes per game will be difficult to replace, i do understand the move & that it appears Joffrey Lupul might have been somewhat of a throw-in due to his big contract. The guy the Leafs targeted was Jake Gardiner, and it's quite possible they had to agree to take on Lupul's contract in order to get Anaheim to agree to the deal.
When Anaheim came back & told Burke he had to take on Lupul's contract in order to make the deal happen, Burkie probably told them to send them a draft pick & they'd have a deal.
The Leafs also had to make room on defense for Keith Aulie, who's now ready to be a steady presence with the big club. And they also need to give Brett Lebda some ice time. He played for the first time in nine games the other night he actually had a decent game.
Beauchemin has a limited no-trade contract. Anaheim was on a list of 12 teams that he could be traded to. It was a no-brainer for him to agree to the trade since his wife still resides in the Anaheim area. His leadership will be missed, but to be frank, he was error-prone & had a knack of constantly coughing up the puck.
And let's face it: Burke never would have got as much value for him had he waited until the trade deadline to trade him. Now with Beauchemin off the market, Tomas Kaberle's value might actually increasae. He's played his best hockey in a long time in the past 10 games. I actually wouldn't if he were re-signed for a couple of years at the right price. The guy loves Toronto, wants to stay in Toronto, and possibly would accept a discount in order to remain with the Leafs. There's nothing wrong with having players that love to play for the Leafs & wouldn't want to go anywhere else.
When Anaheim came back & told Burke he had to take on Lupul's contract in order to make the deal happen, Burkie probably told them to send them a draft pick & they'd have a deal.
The Leafs also had to make room on defense for Keith Aulie, who's now ready to be a steady presence with the big club. And they also need to give Brett Lebda some ice time. He played for the first time in nine games the other night he actually had a decent game.
Beauchemin has a limited no-trade contract. Anaheim was on a list of 12 teams that he could be traded to. It was a no-brainer for him to agree to the trade since his wife still resides in the Anaheim area. His leadership will be missed, but to be frank, he was error-prone & had a knack of constantly coughing up the puck.
And let's face it: Burke never would have got as much value for him had he waited until the trade deadline to trade him. Now with Beauchemin off the market, Tomas Kaberle's value might actually increasae. He's played his best hockey in a long time in the past 10 games. I actually wouldn't if he were re-signed for a couple of years at the right price. The guy loves Toronto, wants to stay in Toronto, and possibly would accept a discount in order to remain with the Leafs. There's nothing wrong with having players that love to play for the Leafs & wouldn't want to go anywhere else.
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I hope Burke picked up Lups to move him along to another team! Lups is not likely to do much for the Buds and needs to be surrounded by more talent than the Leafs are currently icing.
Moving Franny Goodroute was smart. But all these player moves are BS ... fire Wilson and the Leafs will start heading in the right direction like the Devils. Honestly, if Wilson gets fired and actually lands another NHL head coaching job - he'll mess that team up too.
Moving Franny Goodroute was smart. But all these player moves are BS ... fire Wilson and the Leafs will start heading in the right direction like the Devils. Honestly, if Wilson gets fired and actually lands another NHL head coaching job - he'll mess that team up too.
BTW, is Reimer really that good? Or is it mainly hype... haven't looked at the kid much but honestly never heard of him before the Buds called him up earlier in the season.
Lupul has one of those nearly unmoveable contracts. He's not likely going anywhere until the final year of his contract (in two years). Burke admitted himself yesterday that Lupul currently is overpaid. He advised listeners not to blame the player for a mistake management might have made in giving him that contract. If he stays healthy, he definitely will be able to help the Leafs in terms of size & offense on the front.
As for Beauch, moving him was indeed smart. He wasn't producing like he was expected to.
As for firing Wilson, i'm not sure there's anyone currently out there that will be able to come in & improve the team. The players are playing very hard for him & it's not his fault that there's only 1 natural scorer on the team....and that player is currently in a bad scoring slump right now. Where i might see a new coach improve is the penalty killing, which is currently once again near the bottom of the league. This stat is totally unacceptable. Wilson's past teams all had great penalty killing units. That was one of the reasons why he was brought in. In three years, he's yet to improve it. Something has to give.
If Burke is intent on keeping Wilson, why doesn't he give him a bit of help & bring in a specialist to help with the penalty-killing?
Nearly a dozen scouts have already been spotted at the game, which has yet to start. Two of those scouts are from the Penguins. Interesting!
Yes, changes don't always have to be on the ice. Two recent examples: the Devils under Lemaire are 1000 times better than they were under McLean and Calgary has zoomed way up since Sutter was removed as GM. Just imagine what would have happened if those moves occurred sooner, as they damn well SHOULD have. Meanwhile, look at the horrible mess in Ottawa, where both Murray and Clouston have long overstayed their usefulness!
If it were that easy, we would have a Big top line centre, another top line left winger, another capable Dman, and that PK Specialist.... takes time bro, Burke is doing a great job, let him finish it.
Time will tell, but so far he looks like a very solid goalie, give him some more time with FA, as well as more game time and he should develope into a very steady NHL'er.... he is very calm, cool, and collective in net.
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Oui, and i have a feeling they want Versteeg and or Clarke Mac. hey, i say take em both if the return is Malkin, even if we cant have him until next season (injury) rumor has it Pitt cant keep both Crosby and Malkin cause of their contracts, and remain contenders for years to come, similar to what Tampa will encounter when Stamkos needs a raise of say $8mil a year and still having a Vinny L @ 10 mil per
You spelled his last name wrong: It's not PK Specialist, it's PK Subban.
(That's a JOKE, lg - just so you know.)
It's also possible that they were also scouting the Devils. But since the Devils are currently the hottest team in the NHL & making a run at the playoffs, it's entirely possible that they might not want to break up their current chemistry & few of their current players will be traded away. Which only brings up the market for players like Versteeg & Giguere, among others in the league.
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