Burke ready to deal (various media outlets)

[YogiStewart]

Uh oh.
Toronto fans have heard this before - a GM talking about trading 1st and 2nd round picks so their team can win now.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/11/bu ... dy-to-deal

“I’m a January guy,” he reminded “I set my price and try and let my team play through the deadine (without worrying about trades). The math doesn’t work at the deadline when 24 teams are buying. There can only be one (Stanley Cup) parade.”

Burke said the cost could very well be one or more of the young assets in the system or even this year’s first or second rounder.

“I’d say ‘where’s the phone?’,” Burke said of the often risky venture of losing high picks. “They (fans) can live with a gamble.”

these types of transactions have come back to bite the Leafs in the @$$ repeatedly over the last 20 years. the question is: is the team good enough to sacrifice young talent/draft picks in order to pick up 1-2 key players, or should they keep on trying to build?

personally, i think Burke's nuts for wanting to trade away youth/talent (depending on who this talent is) and draft picks. if you're trading for talent, they have salaries that come with them. you have to manage your cap and your assets.

Also, they're freaking SEVENTH in a tight Eastern Conference. They're a 2 game losing streak from finishing out of the playoffs. and does Burke think the Leafs can challenge Boston or the Rangers in the East?

[Waylon Mercy]

The only thing is the Leafs are one of the worst drafting teams in sports and when they
keep their picks they usually draft busts.

If they could get a guy who's proven and still young around 25 then im open to that...

They can flip a goalie (Monster or Reimer) Owuya on the Marlies is real solid and they got Scrivens...

I like Kadri but in the right deal im willing to sacrifice him.

[BobbyBoy]

I think he meant, he would trade a first in a deal that had a guy like Parise or getzlaf or someone like that coming to TO

[leafsfan89]

The names Getzlaf, and Ryan keep coming up. If we could get one of those two for a deal that would include guys like Schenn, Kadri, maybe a Gardiner I honestly would be all for it. But that's not going to cut it. You'll probably have to include that 1st rounder (or 2nd) and then it comes to question if the leafs tapped into their depth too much. Instead of packaging all those players mentioned for a single player like a ryan or getzlaf, they could trade all those players for possibly 2-3 solid players preferably some really top tier penalty killers.

Ryan seems like he will draw a hefty price, and he should because hes a proven 30 goaler but having an off year. Van Riemsdyk is another name mentioned and he was picked like 2nd overall, he could be a real good fit but his numbers haven't been great but he could be a leaf at a cheaper price perhaps.

Getzlaf I would say is the leafs biggest target. A big centre that could put up those big time numbers. His numbers have been admirable to say the least the last couple of years so that brings up the question as it would with the other 2 mentioned; Can he regain his touch with the leafs?

As for the leafs challenging the top teams in the east. I agree, the leafs face boston i think a couple more times and I dont see us beating them. Maybe the score will be closer than last time but coming out with a W will be tough. HOWEVER, when it comes to playoffs its a whole different story. I'm not saying leafs are that cinderella team like the flyers who were in 8th place and made the finals. But in the playoffs you can't really guarantee that a team will overwhelmingly beat another team. The canucks had to go to 7 games against the blackhawks last postseason, who would say when the season started that the president trophy winning team will be the underdog in game 7 of the first round?? (Just an example, im not saying we're the blackhawks either, but "anything is possible")

It's exciting to see what burke will do, and I would love it if he got any one of the three i mentioned (or another stud player). Personally as a fan I could care less about the first round pick especially if the leafs are a team that would finish 12-14 overall in the league. I can see brian burke acquiring a late first rounder after the playoffs to compensate or even a 2nd round pick or two. However, i would love it only, if the price is right!

[Nickleman4]

First of all Im all for trading draft picks for top teir NHLers(Getzlaf, Ryan, Staal, etc), But I on the other hand dont believe in 5:1, 4:1 player deals, and I can almost guarantee that is what Anaheim would demand for one of there big 3. I think if the right offer comes to Burkie we will see a Big splash before the trade deadline. Go Leafs Go.

[Waylon Mercy]

The Leafs have to get a Center.... Nows the perfect time to get Getzlaf and buy low while hes
having a down year. Anaheim might be reluctant or want a kings ransom after we stole Lupul
from them. They know Getzlaf would be rejuvanated playing in Toronto.

[Crowned]

If we got a Ryan type player, I suppose he could be on our 2nd line. There's no way you break up Lupul and Kessel right now. With that said, getting someone up the middle to play between them would make those 2 even more dangerous. If a Getzlaf/Staal/Carter talent is available, go for it. They're young, and not a traditional rental you'd see at the deadline.

If we can't find a top tier player, then I think a shutdown type player should be next on the list to slot into our 3rd line. Having a defensive specialist/PK guy is what we're in dire need of, especially if the team makes the playoffs. When you go into the playoffs with a PK that the Leafs currently have, you'll lose the first round you play in.

[Crowned]

...and I'd be very reluctant to trade our first round pick in this years draft. It has a ton of talent in it.

[BobbyBoy]

I hope something big happens.

[YogiStewart]

here's the thing:

you trade for one of the Ducks' "stars". and i use quotations because i'm apprehensive about the Ducks. 2nd worst team in the NHL, yet they have this apparently insane trio of players, plus Selanne, plus Koivu. yes, their goalie's been injured and their D isn't all that awesome. but you think that such stellar forwards would give them some power and more wins?

you're trading for low-performing players on a low-performing team. so you ask: is it an off year or were these guys overrated?

you take a $5 mill/year hit for these guys. if they end up being A-level stars, then maybe that's good. but...a 1st round draft pick makes 1/5 of that, is under control for longer and MAY have the same ceiling.

so for the long term, i'd argue that drafting smartly will pay dividends (we're talking 2-5 years from now).

[Nickleman4]

here's the thing:

you trade for one of the Ducks' "stars". and i use quotations because i'm apprehensive about the Ducks. 2nd worst team in the NHL, yet they have this apparently insane trio of players, plus Selanne, plus Koivu. yes, their goalie's been injured and their D isn't all that awesome. but you think that such stellar forwards would give them some power and more wins?

you're trading for low-performing players on a low-performing team. so you ask: is it an off year or were these guys overrated?

you take a $5 mill/year hit for these guys. if they end up being A-level stars, then maybe that's good. but...a 1st round draft pick makes 1/5 of that, is under control for longer and MAY have the same ceiling.

so for the long term, i'd argue that drafting smartly will pay dividends (we're talking 2-5 years from now).

Im definetely going to have to argue this, Ryan getzlaf a player who over the passed 3 seasons has scored, 91, 69, 76 points, who also is only 26, and under contract for another 2 years, to me is much more important than a 1st round draft pick, I would rather solidiy that first line of Kessel Lupul and Getzlaf(Grossssse). Getzlaf is a proven player and would 100 percent help us in the quest for lord stanley...Hes definetely going to get out of his funk and I'm hopeing that it's with the Leafs.
Go Leafs Go.

[Secueritae]

Montreal's Cammalleri was pulled during tonights game sent to the hotel and told he was traded.

Just speculating right now, but maybe the leafs are involved.

[Nickleman4]

Wild, I doubt the leafs got Cammi, stocked up on the wings. Would be interesting if we did though.

[Nickleman4]

Just read on tsn he was traded to the Calgary Flames for Bourque. Link:http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=384922

[Relentless88]

Pierre Lebrun: I can confirm reports that Philadelphia and Toronto have chatted over the past week. The Leafs have long coveted winger James van Riemsdyk. Sources on both teams, however, told ESPN.com Thursday that nothing was close to imminent on any deal. The Flyers' top priority is to get help on defense, and it just so happens that's where Toronto has extra bodies. Still, as I reported earlier this week, Philly's top name on its shopping list is Suter. Tim Gleason of the Hurricanes also interests the Flyers.

[Nickleman4]

Ive heard that it's Schenn PLUS Kadri/Kulimen for Van Reimsdyke, I am really hoping that this trade does not happen. I would rather Burkie focus on getting a 1st line centre, not another winger. I know JVR has lots of potential but Kuli's been playing well of late, Kadri hasnt been to bad either, and Schenns gonna be a beast on the blueline for years to come.

[_venom_]

I wouldn't be against moving Schenn/Kadri for JVR because I'm not that high on Schenn. His development has really stalled and he will never be anything more than a solid defensive dman which is nice to have but can be replaced with cheaper options. However, getting JVR doesn't solve our biggest need and that's a center. Getzlaf makes much more sense in terms of fit.

[Crowned]

I'm all for a Schenn/JVR trade. We have enough depth on defense to allow that to make sense. With that said, if they want Kadri too, that's too much of an asking price.

[_venom_]

After watching Schenn live tonight and on TV all season I really wouldn't mind moving him. There's absolutely nothing special about him. I'd say him and Komisarek are very similar skill wise but Schenn is valued because of age and contract. If you can move Schenn for an offensive upgrade you do it. The game winning goal tonight by Pominville shouldn't have happened but Schenn was in no man's land in front of the net instead of denying Pominville the puck. Albeit it was a great pass by Vanek but Schenn needs to be there. His offensive skill is non existent and his defensive game seems to be regressing.

[YogiStewart]

JvR's had ONE playoff run. otherwise, he's a bust.

while i think Schenn's incredibly overrated, there are lots of teams that need a decent D-man. if i were the Leafs, i wouldn't trade him to Philly. trade him west