Trade Watch 2008

The Blue & White is going to get off its collective lazy ass and be the news source for trade deadline deals and rumours. With less than a week to go (!!!) before the February 26 deadline, we'll pull together all of the best information out there and spoon feed it to you. We'll do this because our average reader is part of the MTV generation: zero attention span, hazardously low levels of literacy, and the complete inability to think critically.

With that said, here is the first installment:

Mats Sundin
Mats Sundin is still sticking to his earlier statements about not waiving his NTC. I have called, and will continue to call shenanigans on that one. Mats Sundin will leave Toronto if he approves of the team to which he'd go. I've posted on this before, but NTC or not, Sundin is in a sticky situation. If he loves the team and the city and wants to win here, he must leave as a rental to make the team better...then resign with the Leafs. If he refuses to go (rest assured Cliff Fletcher will find a sweet deal), he shouldn't be resigned by the team. A rebuilding team cannot have a player that doesn't want to win as its captain - what kind of role model is that?

Sundin is rumoured to go to many teams, including Vancouver, Calgary, San Jose, Montreal, Ottawa, Anaheim, Detroit, and the New York Rangers. Peter Forsberg's announcement that he will not come back this season means that more teams will make a pitch for Mats, and that his price just went through the roof. Boner!

Tomas Kaberle


Tomas Kaberle is staying in Toronto. Despite rumours of potentially being traded, Kabbie vehemently denied that there is any chance he'll leave Toronto. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he'll stay if he wants to stay. Kaberle was our most attractive asset, as he is signed until 2011 at below market value. He'd have brought back more value than Mats Sundin will, as he has more hockey left in him, is signed long term, and is a top-level puck moving d-man, something that every team needs.




Nik Antropov


Antropov is rumoured to be leaving the Leafs because he is the type of gigantic power forward that any team can use. He would fit perfectly on any contender's second line. Nik's ability to stay away from injury this season has showcased his talents to the league. Only 27, he'd fetch a great return.






Bryan McCabe


A great offensive defenseman that can't do much else, McCabe's ridiculous contract and no movement clause will likely prevent him from being moved. Rumours involving McCabe continue, however, with the latest being that Fletch can rid himself of McCabe's services if he includes a draft pick. Fletch is a puddinhead if he doesn't jump at the chance to drop $5.75M of salary - yet only $3M of talent - from the payroll.





Andrew Raycroft

Probably the worst goaltender in the NHL this season. Agree or not, his stats generally support the claim. Some believe that a change of scenery would benefit Raycroft, as Toronto has effectively given up on him. There are contending teams that could use Raycroft as an improvement to their back-up goalie: San Jose, New Jersey, NY Rangers, Anaheim, and Vancouver all need to bolster their #2 goalie position. I won't hold my breath for a GM stupid enough to take on Raycroft at $2M per season. Does Raycroft's career remind anyone else of Eric Hinske's?



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