Mike Van Ryn calls it quits

How Mike Van Ryn got to Toronto was ugly. The Ontario native was drafted by New Jersey in 1998, did some fancy foot work around the NHL rule book to become a UFA, signed with the Blues, got shipped to Florida, then finally made his way home to the Leafs in the Bryan McCabe deal. From there his NHL career took a turn for the worse.

Two concussions, two knee injuries and two surgeries to repair his right knee put an end to a decent but unremarkable career.

Van Ryn has taken an Assistant Coach assignment with the Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL).

Time ticking on Kaberle deal

I hope Brian Burke isn’t painting himself into a corner.

The deadline to either trade or sign Tomas Kaberle is fast approaching – mid-August. If Burke hasn’t signed or traded the defenceman by that time the no-trade clause kicks back in for the final year of his contract, clearly putting him in the driver’s seat. Without a trade or deal, Kaberle becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2011.

Kaberle is neither under- or overpaid. At about $4.5m he’s exactly where he should be. He’s a good solid defenceman with exceptional puck movement and skating ability. Reliable as hell. He does have some downside. He’s not big. He’s not tough. He won’t fight. While he is fairly strong he’s not overly so; moving large tough forwards out from in front of the net is not his bag. He’s not a clutch performer. The best word to describe him is “steady”.

He’s not a stud defencemen coming out of a lean contract and set to make millions more every year once this contract is finished. He’ll get a modest raise, something on the order of $5m per year for the next 3 or 4 years. That’s it. That’s what he’s worth, and that’s all. If Burke insists on getting more for him from other teams than soneone along that same calibre then August will come and go and we’ll be left with nothing at the end of 2011 unless Kaberle really wants to stay in Toronto and help Burke rebuild.

As the mid-August deadline approaches Burke’s leverage dwindles. Other teams know Kaberle’s contract obligations and know Burke has to trade him by that deadline or Kaberle gets a free pass into free agency. All Kaberle has to do is sit and wait. The only thing Burke has going for him right now is the lack of quality defencemen on the open market – but that doesn’t mean other teams aren’t shopping members of their respective defence corps.

With the clock set to roll over into August this week, leaving Burke a couple of short weeks to get something done – sign him or trade him – you have to wonder which way this is going to go.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

2 year deal for Kulemin

Nikolai Kulemin has finally re-signed with the Leafs, a two-year deal worth a reported $4.7 million. Pretty decent raise – hemade $850k last year. The speedy and oft times kranky forward is coming off a 16 goal campaign.

The Leafs are also close to re-signing John Mitchell after they let his arbitration rights lapse and Mitchell became an unrestricted free agent.

Burke is playing his cards tight to the chest when it comes to Tomas Kaberle. Apparently there are still 5 teams very much in the vying for his services, but according to the Toronto Star Burke has suspended negotiations until Tuesday so the teams can sit and stew about not being able to sign a UFA defenceman on the first day of free agency.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Colby Armstrong signs 3 year deal with Leafs

The Leafs have signed Colby Armstrong to a 3 year $9million dollar deal.

The winger, known for monster open ice hits and timely goals, brings that mean truculence Burke brags about – he plays much bigger than his 6′-1″ 205LB frame would suggest.  He’s a former teammate of Sydney Crosby for 3 seasons and spent the last 3 seasons in Atlanta.

Don’t look know, but this is a good start to becoming absolutely miserable to play against.

GO BURKIE GO!!

Leafs acquire Versteeg in 5 player swap

Kris Versteeg is on his way to Toronto, leaving behind the Blackhawks wrecking crew that dismantled Detroit and Philadelphia on their way to the Stanley Cup.

The Leafs traded Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis to Chicago for Versteeg, a nifty forward that can play both wings and center. The only issue with Versteeg is he’s small, at 5′ 10″ and 180 pounds. He pooted 20 goals and 24 assists – and was a +8 - last season, and added 6 more goals and 8 assists, with a +4, in the playoff run. The Leafs also picked up Colorado College prospect Bill Sweatt, a point a game player in that system. He went 38th overall in the 2007 entry draft. It’ll be intersting to see what kind of contribution he can make with the Marlies should the Leafs sign him.

Nice way to kick start the free agency fenzy.

Mike Van Ryn gone for 2010-2011 season

Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn has elected not to play in the upcoming season, instead taking the year off to continue rehabbing a bad knee that needed realignment surgery and kept him out of the lineup for the entire 2009 – 2010 season. Looks like this guy should start thinking about another career path.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Leafs acquire Mike Brown

Biran Burke sent a 5th round draft pick to Anaheim and acquired RW Mike Brown, a 6′ 200LB scrapper who came out of the US National Program and the University of Michigan. According to Brian Burke the acquisition was meant to help bring a little more truculence and hostility to the Leafs’ squad, adding a second enforcer.

So the Buds are a little meaner.

Meanwhile, talk of trading Tomas Kaberle has dwindled but only because Burke said the focus was on the draft. Kaberle’s no-trade clause is in hiatus until August 15th, so the Leafs have plenty of time to deal him – which they should do – or face losing in him next spring like they did Mats Sundin.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Leafs snag 2nd round gem

Brian Burke weaved a little magic this afternoon, sending an unsigned propsect to the Blackhawks for the 43rd pick overall, taking Bradley Ross, the Portland Winter Hawks left wing linemate of the 4th and 5th picks overall this year. Ross spent the last 3 years in Portland (WHL), and last year notched 27 goals and 68 points in 71 games. He added 2 goals and 7 assists in 13 playoff games this spring. More importantly, Ross also likes to mix things up, bagging 203 PIM over 09-10, and 36 more in the playoffs.

GO BURKE GO!!!

2010-2011 NHL Schedule released

The NHL released the 2010-2011 schedule a little early this year. Some status quo, and a few surprises.

The Leafs start and end their season against the Habs.

And hey, what the hey, let’s play the New York Rangers 3 times in the first 2 weeks. No games on Friday, nor Sunday this year either. Nor any back-to-back home-n-home series to nurse those bitter rivalries along.

Only one appearance against the Red Wings, at the Joe in late March, and a 5 day break over the Christmas holidays.

Captain Dion faces his former team twice, the first in Calgary on December 16th then back at the ACC on January 15th.

Double whammy on New Years’ Day – we get to watch the Washington Pittsburgh outdoor classic then catch the Leafs in Ottawa. Perfect cure for a New Years’ Eve hangover I tell you.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Captain Dion: A new era

Let’s hope it’s not a new era of futility, now that we’re the proud owners of the “longest suffering NHL team without a cup” title.

The Leafs ushered in a new era, naming Dion Phaneuf as their next captain going into the 2010-2011 season, and I’m betting all the media types are doing a collective “oh brother” this morning – Phaneuf is not known for being the friendliest during scrums. He’s blunt, and has a blurting problem. His chirping is incessant. Mats Sundin – intensely quite and on point all the time – he is not.

Only time – something Coach Ron Wilson doesn’t have a lot of left – will tell.

Go Dion Go!!!

Trade Kaberle: Now is the time

I can’t see Kaberle going out the door in the summer of 2011 with nothing in return. It just doesn’t fit with Brian Burke’s style. Sure we need a stud defenceman – but Kaberle was never that. Solid, reliable, work-horse, yeah – all of those things. But stud – not so much.

So Toronto needs to say thanks to Kaberle for years of decent service and send him packing. Leafs Nation needs to give him a rousing standing-O when he first appears donning another team’c colours. Brian Burke needs to get something for Kaberle now while the getting is good and the need apparent.

A good, solid, large and forboding scoring forward with a good 2-way game. Perhaps a compliment to Phil Kessel, who has yet to show his true value. Close, but Kessel has a lot more, lot better hockey in him yet. He’s a Laurel and needs a Hardy. He’s a Martin and needs a Lewis. You get the picture….

There are 6 days between draft day and July 1. Kaberle should be sizing new uniforms by June 30. If not, Burke has until August 15 to find Kaberle a new home – but in my view his value will go down after July 1.

Go Burkie GO!!!