Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has his eye on a top-six forward, as always, with James Van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers, Jeff Carter of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tuomo Ruutu of the Carolinia Hurricanes the prize quantities. Throw in Ryan Malone of the Tampa Bay Lightning as well.

Since Carter is out with a separated shoulder, he may not be at the top of Burke’s list depending on how close to the Feb. 27 NHL trade deadline a deal is made.

But Burke has more ammunition than he has ever had since becoming the Leafs GM in late 2008. Most of his peers are looking for an experienced defenceman and Burke has several of those, plus a few forward prospects, that he could deal for the right player.

At this point, defenceman Mike Komisarek, 30, is sitting in the press box. Another blueliner, Keith Aulie, 22, is with the Leafs’ farm team but has 55 games of NHL experience and a strong upside. Or Burke could move Cody Franson, 24, from his NHL roster. There are also forwards Nazem Kadri, Matt Frattin and Joe Colborne to consider if the deal is a big on.


Rosszul vagyok, amikor felhozzák Cartert velünk kapcsolatban. Felejtsék már el, 100 évre alá van íratva, és egyáltalán nem az az ember, aki most nekünk kell.
A másik kettő jöhet nyugodtan.