Alright, so as everyone and their mother knows, Mats Sundin finally made his decision after months of delay and became the richest man in professional hockey yesterday, signing a 1 Year, 10 Million dollar contract, meaning he makes $500,000 more than Alexander Ovechkin, and $1.3 Million more than Sidney Crosby. Heck, even going on the Canucks, he makes $3.3 Million more than the true top player on the team, Roberto Luongo. Basically, he went for the money instead of going fro a true chance to win the cup and he cashed in big. Before anyone says “BUT THE CANUCKS ARE KINDA SORTA CONTENDERS!”, Sundin has made the 3rd highest career salary of any NHL player, ever. Only Jaromir Jagr and Joe Sakic have made more. If Mats wanted a cup, he could’ve gone to the Sharks or Wings and said “I’ll take whatever you can offer me”. But this isn’t the point, the point is how the real losers in this in the long term are the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As we all know, the central focus for the Toronto Maple Leafs last year was the trade Deadline. John Ferguson Jr was fired, and Cliff Fletcher was brought in to clear the weeds. By the weeds, I mean the aging players, and most importantly, the “Muskoka 5″ - Mats Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe, Pavel Kubina, and Darcy Tucker.

What was the end result of the deadline?

After much hype, Mats decided he be staying in Toronto and using his NMC (No Movement Clause) to do so. He also threw some comments out there about “being a Torontonian” and a “True Leaf”, and that one must play for the team from “training camp to the playoffs”. Shortly after, Tomas Kaberle used his NTC, and so did Pavel Kubina. The thought is that Tucker did too, though that cannot be confirmed. McCabe had no offers on him.

And really, you can blame most of that on the original Sundin deal. Lets play a quick game of dominoes here.

Sundin Blocks Trade: The deal he blocked was one to the Montreal Canadiens, which would send him to the energetic young rivals for Christopher Higgins, Mikhail Grabovski, and their 2008 1st Round Pick (Which they traded for Alex Tanguay at the draft. Not saying we’d do the same, but throwing that out there). We would go on to trade for Grabovski after the draft, costing us our 2010 2nd Round Pick, and Greg Pateryn (who we just picked with a 5th Rounder).

Total Lost: Higgins, 1st Round Pick 2008, 2nd Round Pick 2010, Pateryn, Sundin

Kaberle Blocks Trade Shortly Thereafter: Obviously seeing what it means to be a “True Leaf” (aka, BS), Kaberle was next to block his no trade clause. He was going to be traded to the Philadelphia Flyersfor Jeff Carter, and the Flyers’ 2008 1st Round Pick. Carter had a beast of a playoffs, earning him a contract worth $5 Million per year (he wouldn’t have got anywhere near as much with us due to no playoffs, probably closer to $2.5 Million). Carter is currently in the Top 5 in the NHL in Goals For. Thanks Tomas. Really though, I think if Mats waives, Tomas waives too.

Total Lost: Jeff Carter, 1st Round Pick
Total Gained: Tomas Kaberle (who won’t get nearly as much of a return now)

Kubina Joins The Blocking Club: Though Cliff didn’t mention names in his after deadline press conference, everyone knows that the player who said he would waive and changed his mind after a win and dinner with teammates was Pavel Kubina. The San Jose Sharks were the team that made the offer, offering up Steve Bernier and a 1st Round Pick, the same offer as they gave Brian Campbell. Even after Campbell was acquired and Kubina had changed his mind, they offered Kyle McClaren and a 2nd Round Pick. Really though, the 1st offer is what we’re looking at as the one that should be in question. It was done clearly as a reaction to Mats and his best friend on the team, Kaberle, deciding to stay.

Total Lost: Steve Bernier, 1st Round Pick
Total Gained: Pavel Kubina (Who may still get a similar reward, but I’m not so sure)

With these guys gone, along with Belak, Gill, and Kilger, one could only assume we’d continue a downward spiral last year, especially if it turns out we could’ve got something for Tucker instead of buying out his contract. So instead of being 7th overall going into the draft, we could’ve been looking at much better, probably close to having the #1 pick. Lets say we pick 2nd and get Drew Doughty, rather than getting 7th, trading our 2nd Round Pick in 09, and a 3rd rounder in 2008.

In summation, here is my argument. Mats Sundin not waiving his trade clause by reasoning of being a true leaf and not a rental (only to leave the leafs and become a rental starting yesterday) lead to this in the large scope, while completely ignoring a potential deal that couldv’e been on the table for Tucker.

Toronto Gains:
Mikhail Grabovski, Pavel Kubina, Tomas Kaberle, Luke Schenn

Toronto Loses Out On:
Christopher Higgins, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Steve Bernier, MTL 1st 08, PHI 1st 08, SJS 1st 08, TOR 2nd 09, TOR 2nd ‘10, TOR 3rd 08, TOR 5th 08 (Greg Pateryn)

See what happens when a teams culture ruins the scope of what’s necessary? I truly believe that Tucker would’ve gotten a return too, seeing as he signed for 600,000 less than he was making in Toronto. Even if ts a 5th rounder, we don’t have a cap hit for the next half decade. The team is much better set for the future and the present, and the rebuild is at least three years ahead of the current schedule.

And yet there are some people going “HOW COULD YOU BLAME MATS?”. Trust me, the people respect what he has done, but the final “blessing” will leave a sour taste in the mouths of Leafs fans for years to come. Really, both sides are right on the end result - Thanks Mats for what you did on the ice, but in my eyes, your legacy as a Leaf has a severe blemish on it.

Agree or Disagree, leave your comments below.

Do bear with us, as all the exact details aren’t out yet, as the Leafs press conference will be either tommorow or Saturday.

But ladies and gentlemen, Brian Burke is the next GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to the Toronto Sun (which I won’t link to, most of their stuff is more garbage than the British Sun tabloid, or the parody Sun magazine in the states), Burke signed the contract today while with his second family in Boston.

The contract is for six years, coming out to a whopping $17M, which would actually make him one of the highest paid FORWARDS on the Leafs roster if he was a player, just behind Niklas Hagman.

Burke will have complete control over the team, meaning he could practically trade Luke Schenn for George Parros and nobody could say anything to him until the next day when he gets fired. As well, any reports he does make, will not have to go through MLSE CEO and Dick Cheney of Hockey, Richard Peddie.

So, the wait to see what he does first begins. Many speculate he’s going to immediately blow up the team, trading several of Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, Niklolai Antropov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Vesa Toskala, Jason Blake, Mike Van Ryn, Jeff Finger…oh forget it, pretty much the entire team.

Others believe that he might think the Leafs have a shot, and will sign last year’s Captain Mats Sundin to a deal (he did have talks with Burke a few weeks ago while Brian was still the GM of the Ducks). He may also go for a goalie.

Personally, I don’t know what to believe anymore, other than I’m certain of the fact that I hope he doesn’t screw up. I don’t want to be 85 years old when we get to the finals for the first time since 1967, I really don’t.

Hockey could be compared to many things, one being war.

Coaches (most notably Don Cherry) often refer to their players as troops. Both sides are constantly attacking and defending. The physicality between both sides can only be described as a battle, injuries often occur. Snipers have their role on the battlefield, bombs are dropped with regularity. Sacrifices are made for the ultimate good. Teams unite to support each other nations unite to support them. And like any war, hockey is filled with heroes and villains.

So it’s fitting that on a day of remembrance, we remember the heroes from our past.

It’s been a long 41 years, but the 1967 Stanley Cup will always hold a special place in the heart of Toronto Maple Leafs fans around the world. A team of veterans who many thought were past their prime, they did the unthinkable and brought the cup home for the 13th time in franchise history, the 4th time in 6 years. These troops were led into battle by their Captain, George “Chief” Armstrong, and defeated the might Montreal Canadiens in six games. This legendary team also featured the likes of Red Kelly, Ron Ellis, Bob Pulford, Frank Mahovlich, Bob Baun, Marcel Pronovost, Allan Stanley, and Johnny Bower.

Two of the most legendary players in NHL history were also winning members on this team. Tim Horton patrolled the blueline like few could, barking orders at his comrades to help defend his home turf. Terry Sawchuk tended the net for many years, providing the last line of defense when all hope seemed to be lost. Neither of these men is longer with us, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Another of these men was not so legendary. Al Smith was also a member of this Stanley Cup winning team. His pro career as a goaltender lasted 17 seasons. He was one of the five goaltenders to play for the Leafs during the 1966/67 season. He even dressed as the backup for two of the last three games in the Stanley Cup Finals. He passed away on August 7th, 2002.

Hockey could be compared to many things, one being war.

But it’s on days like this when you realize that hockey is just a game. Millions of Canadians have given their lives for this country. Few soldiers have the status of the likes of Horton or Sawchuk, many could be compared to the likes of Smith. And even though their names aren’t celebrated like Horton or Sawchuk, EVERY man and woman who has served Canada is a hero. I would not be writing this article if not for the great sacrifices made by them, odds are you would not be reading this either.

There may not be a silver cup with your name inscribed on it, but we will never forget.

Well, the unsurprising verdict is in.  Montreal Canadiens forward Tom Kostopolous has been suspended three games for his hit from behind on Mike Van Ryn during the first period of the Montreal-Toronto game on Saturday night.  The moderate suspension was to be expected.  The best comparison, although Colin Campbell claims to be loathe to compare incidents, is Randy Jones’ hit on Patrice Bergeron last season which led to a 2 game suspension for Jones.   Saturday night’s hit was no more dirty than any other of the same ilk, and I don’t want to single out Kostopolous as being particularly dirty or more guilty than others.  In fact Tom has been remorseful, and deserves respect for his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions.  Sadly these hits, and the weak discipline put forward subsequently is simply part of a larger problem the NHL has failed to address for years.

Certain things are seen as “part of the game”.  Take a high elbow? Cheap, but an occupational hazard. Fighting? Well that’s a big part of the game, get hurt then and it’s by your own volition.  Broken wrists or ankles from slashing and hacking? Dirty, and unfortunate, but once again “part of the game”.  Then there are the others.  Incidents that are viewed as abhorrent.  The Bertuzzi’s, Mcsorley’s and Simon’s of the world are rightly vilified for their actions, both within and outside the hockey community.  Their actions are seen as being completely unacceptable and outside any action that is seen as being “part of the game”

Unfortunately, the hits from behind we’ve seen and continue to see are part of the former, or “part of the game”. This is the case both in theory and in practice.  Whatever light goes on in someone’s head that stops them from swinging their stick, or sucker punching someone from behind or kicking at someone with their skate (Martin Havlat notwithstanding) doesn’t go on in someone’s head when they see someone’s numbers.  Kostopolous claimed, and fairly so, that Van Ryn turned late.  Indeed he did, but was Van Ryn ever facing the incoming Habs? No, he was on an angle.  Kostopolous may never have seen the middle of his back, but there’s he would have seen part of his back.  But, as like any player, he kept going full tilt.  Why? Because it’s part of the game, and it shouldn’t be.

It’s time to send a message.  Hit someone like that? First, time have a seat for 20 games.  Next time? 40.  3rd time? Thats your third strike. Take a seat for a season.  It is, in my opinion, the only way you’ll stop it.  Treat it as if it’s abhorrent. Treat it the way you’d treat someone swinging at an opponent’s head with their stick.  Until it’s treated as something that belongs nowhere near the game, it will continue to pervade the game.  Unfortunately, with the NHL, it seems as if it may take a broken neck, or perhaps worse, for this message to be sent.