The New-Look Leafs

As so frequently seen after big changes occur in an organisation, the Toronto Maple Leafs come up big in their first game. With the help of Dion Phaneuf's fists and JS Giguere's steady glove, they shut out the Atlantic-division leading New Jersey Devils sparking excitement and rapture amongst the Maple Leafs' faithful.

But is their excitement warranted?

I don't think there should be any doubt that they are headed in the right direction, and if last night is anything to go by, the defensive and goaltending concerns are concerns no more. Unfortunately, last night isn't anything to go by. The new-look Leafs have only just begun their journey from mediocrity and there are still many roads to travel before they can be considered even a playoff team. In this case, perhaps realism is a buzz-killer, and for that I am sorry Leafs' fans, but there are just too many holes in this roster to seriously regard them as a dangerous opponent. Having said that, the positives may finally be outweighing the negatives.

Up front is probably the strongest part of the Leafs' lineup. Their depth and talent at forward is not exactly scary like other teams would be considered, but it is still quite formidable. The main positive is that it is a continually progressing group of players that could become quite the daunting task for defenders in future years.

Sure there are a few guys that probably wouldn't get as much ice-time in other teams but the future of the young stars in Toronto is very bright. Under the guidance of a fairly young leadership group in Kessel, Stempniak and Ponikarovsky -- rookies Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri, Viktor Stalberg and Christian Hanson who in particular looked good last night. Offense however, was not really a concern of GM Brian Burke.

Now, for the first time since Curtis Joseph's first exodus in '02, it seems there might stability between the pipes in T-Dot. Not surprisingly, the super-competitor that is JS Giguere was at his determined best last night. He will have good games and bad games and he might even get booed off the ice a few times (who doesn't in Toronto?), but he is a bona-fide #1 goalie and his presence in Toronto instantly increases their playoff hopes next season.

Giggy's addition coupled with Dion Phaneuf and the defensive-minded forward Fredrik Sjostrom address major concerns in defense and penalty-killing. Last night's effort might be an indication of what we can expect in the future from the troubles franchise, but unlikely and accurate reflection on what the team is right now.

It's understandable that after a 43-year Cup drought and a painfully long time out of the playoffs, big deals and positive signs like those seen of late would be welcomed with a degree of over-excitement. But as it stands this is still a team still way out of the reach of playoff hockey until proven otherwise. The proof is in the pudding and like everyone else, there still is a mathematical chance we could see an extended season at the ACC, but don't bet on it.

So what will we see from Toronto?

One thing we won't see is more of the same. I'm expecting more energy and excitement on the ice and less anger and frustration in the stands. And while I was thoroughly entertained here in Toronto, by the headlines I would read after every Leafs' game, particular in October and November -- I do look forward to actually viewing some good, hard-nosed, enjoyable hockey back in T.O.

The Winds of Trade Continue in Calgary

In the wake of the recent trade seeing the end of Dion Phaneuf's tenure in Calgary, GM Darryl Sutter isn't waiting for the waters to settle and it's no surprise. Any which way you look at it, the Phaneuf deal was the pre-cursor to something more for the Flames. It was heavily reported on TSN that the continuation of the changes was to occur today with an exchange involving Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust from Calgary and Chris Higgins and Ales Kotalik from the Rangers. According to the ever-reliable Bob McKenzie though, that deal is now on hold for the time being. The question now becomes, why?

In a previous blog, I mentioned that Calgary could and should be seeking to reach an agreement with Thrashers' GM, Don Waddell to bring Ilya Kovalchuk to Alberta. It is possible that Darryl Sutter is still waiting to reach a deal in principle with Waddell which would make Atlanta the final destination for Higgins and Kotalik. If not Waddell, the party slowing the progress of the deal could be Ales Kotalik himself. With the advantage of a no-trade clause in his contract, it was mentioned on Kukla's Korner that perhaps Calgary was not on his list of future hometowns. This seems somewhat odd given his consistent trips to the press box and alleged rift with Rangers' coach John Tortorella. But maybe Kotalik is just unwilling to head south to Georgia.

To me, a transaction of this sort makes a whole lot of sense for the Flames as Kovalchuk could provide that consistent scoring they so desperately need. Not only does it allow them to dress one of the most feared powerplays in hockey but consistency from their top guys also relieves pressure on secondary scorers like Bourque, Dawes and Glencross. Jarome Iginla as always, has been great but he needs help that Olli Jokinen just could not provide.

Whether these effects are realised, or even if the trade takes place at all are looming questions, but one undeniable truth remains: The Calgary Flames must improve their roster to win the Stanley Cup.

The Kovalchuk Factor

It's no secret that it's highly unlikely Thrashers' star forward Ilya Kovalchuk, won't be dealt some time between now and March 3, in a trade that will surely be the blockbuster deal of the season. The services of the 2001 #1 overall draft pick will be highly sought-after and with good cause. At this point in the season he has managed 31 goals and 57 points with the 6th best pts/gm average in the league. When you consider the quality of the linemates the 5 men ahead of him (Ovechkin, Daniel & Henrik Sedin, Crosby and Thornton) have compared to Ilya Kovalchuk's, it's pretty clear this is a player every team in need of scoring touch would like to have. He's just one of those unique forwards that makes his linemates better.

Speculation from one of my favourite hockey reporters, Bob McKenzie suggests Calgary and Chicago are two teams likely to pursue a deal for the talented winger. The benefits the Flames might see from Kovie's services are obvious.

Expectations were high in Southern Alberta prior to the commencement of their 2009/10 campaign, and as we near the Olympic break it's safe to say those expectations have not been met. Shockingly, Calgary sits outside the playoffs (albeit by a single point) in 9th in the highly competitive Western conference. GM Darryl Sutter may be feeling deja vu because the apparent panacea for Calgary's ailment is once against scoring. Last year Sutter hoped Olli Jokinen would be the answer but the impact of the tricky ex-Coyote was fairly underwhelming.

If somehow, 12 months later the Flames GM was able to synergise with Don Waddell and get Kovalchuk in a Flames' uniform, the same disappointment would not be seen. Calgary could potentially ice one of the most dangerous lines in hockey. Daymong Langkow and Olli Jokinen might get light-headed at the thought of centering Iginla and Kovalchuk, as would any centre in the NHL. But of course, the negative affects of such a monumental trade need to be equally assessed.

Don Waddell is certainly not going to give away his franchise player for nothing. One would expect the Thrashers' GM to be in search of at least one key player along with a mixture of high draft-picks and prospects. The speculation about Dion Phaneuf's possible movement before the deadline certainly makes sense and in this scenario it makes sense for both parties.

The Chicago Blackhawks on the other hand are not in need of scoring. Boasting arguably the youngest and deepest core of forwards in the league with the likes of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Versteeg and Sharp to compliment the [statistically] stingiest defense touring the continent, this trade doesn't make as much sense to me.

While there's no doubt the addition of Kovalchuk would certainly make them an even scarier opponent to deal with, it seems an unnecessary risk for Stan Bowman to take. We've all heard the saying 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', and with this in mind any sort of major deal does seem somewhat risky. Joel Quenneville's team has displayed that they are the most balanced and consistent team thusfar in the season. While they can't claim to have the "score-at-will" ability of the Washington Capitals or San Jose Sharks, a consistent, discipled defense is perhaps the most valuable virtue a hockey team could hope to possess come playoff time.

Further to the risk of altering an obviously strong team chemistry, does it seem necessary to trade away young talent and/or draft picks for this risk? It should also be mentioned, that Bowman will need to off-load salary for Kovy's $6.4m annual cap hit and I'm guessing the Thrashers aren't interested in Brian Campbell.

Trades like this are best suited for teams that are 'on the bubble' so to speak, and require that added injection to get them from competitive to contending. Some of those teams could include Vancouver, Philadelphia, Colorado and the aforementioned Calgary. In my estimation, Chicago will not and should not be in that mix.