Here’s a look at some of the fine work done by five general managers this trading season…
1. Brian Burke, Toronto
Acquired: Joffrey Lupul, Aaron Voros, (P) Joe Colborne, (P) Jake Gardiner, 1st round pick (BOS), 1st round pick (PHI), 3rd round pick (PHI), 7th round pick (NYR), Conditional draft pick (BOS), Conditional 2013 draft pick (ANA)
Traded: Tomas Kaberle, Francois Beauchemin, Kris Versteeg, John Mitchell, Conditional 7th round pick
I feel Brian Burke deserves a big pat on the back for his moves at this deadline. Yes, he has received a lot of scrutiny in the past over previous moves. But when you look at the players he traded away, they were not a part of the ‘blueprint’, as Burke would describe it. What did he get in return? Two upcoming and two former first-rounders, along with additional picks; and Joffrey Lupul, who has jelled with the Leafs in his first couple weeks with the team.
Even though the pair of firsts he received will likely be latter stages of the top 30, they are assets for a future that is looking brighter than it did a few weeks ago. Also, he could potentially package those firsts and move up and get a higher-quality prospect, or acquire an NHLer in the summer, if he wants to.
Colborne and Gardiner were drafted in the first round by Boston and Anaheim, respectively, and should play in the NHL someday. Overall, Burke did the best as a ‘seller’ this trading season.
2. Peter Chiarelli, Boston
Acquired: Tomas Kaberle, Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley, Boris Valabik
Traded: Mark Stuart, Blake Wheeler, (P) Joe Colborne, 1st round pick, 2nd round pick, Conditional draft pick
With the additions that Peter Chiarelli made to the lineup, Boston has moved into the discussion with the rest of the top-line Stanley Cup competitiors. The Kaberle pickup isn’t necessarily the one that pushed them over the top. When you look at what Kelly and Peverley can provide to the depth up front, it’s an upgrade of what they had and it will only help this team going into the playoffs. And of course, Kaberle is the puck-moving blueliner Chiarelli has been seeking for a long time.
The B’s are 4-0 since they made these deals. They definitely improved their chances of going deep this spring with the shrewd deadline moves, even though they came at a bit of a price.
3. Bryan Murray, Ottawa
Acquired: Craig Anderson, Ryan Potulny, 1st round pick (NSH), Conditional 2nd round pick (CHI), 2nd round pick (BOS), 6th round pick (ANA), Conditional 7th round pick (PIT), Conditional 2012 draft pick (NSH)
Traded: Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Chris Campoli, Brian Elliott, Jarkko Ruutu, Alex Kovalev, Conditional 7th round pick
Bryan Murray and the Senators officially began the rebuilding process at the deadline. Gone are long-time mainstays like Fisher and Kelly; veterans Kovalev, Ruutu and Campoli; and a once-starting netminder in Elliott. Murray didn’t get a boatload of assets back like Burke did in Toronto, but the Sens GM made the best that he could out of a bad situation.
From a league-wide point of view, one acquisition that may go mildly unnoticed is the addition of Anderson. He has benefitted from the change of scenery thus far and could be the goalie in Ottawa until Robin Lehner is ready to be a No. 1 in a few years (if it ever gets to that point).
4. Doug Armstrong, St. Louis
Acquired: Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk, (P) Brock Beukeboom, 2nd round pick (BUF), Conditional 2nd round pick (COL), 3rd round pick (TB), 2012 3rd round pick (ANA)
Traded: Erik Johnson, Brad Boyes, Jay McClement, Eric Brewer, Brad Winchester, Conditional 1st round pick
I thought Blues GM Doug Armstrong did a solid job of tweaking the dynamic of this up-and-coming team. They sent out Johnson, Boyes and Brewer – three experienced players – and brought in youngsters like Stewart and Shattenkirk. Stewart has six goals in his first six games with St. Louis, adding more beef up front alongside David Backes.
Armstrong technically was a seller leading up to the deadline – he got rid of salary and received a decent number of draft picks without damaging the future of the franchise.
5. Jim Rutherford, Carolina
Acquired: Cory Stillman, Bryan Allen, Derek Joslin, 2012 2nd round pick (SJ)
Traded: Ian White, Sergei Samsonov, Ryan Carter, 5th round pick, Future considerations
Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford had a solid in the last week or so on the trade front. White and Samsonov weren’t making much of an impact in Carolina. Rutherford made upgrades at those positions, in my opinion, with the acquisitions of Stillman and Allen from Florida. Stillman is familiar with the ‘Canes and has immediately been inserted on the top line.
Not only did Rutherford make a couple upgrades, but he also fetched a second-round pick from San Jose (which adds on to the multitude of picks he got at last year’s deadline) and a young defenseman in Joslin, who will get a chance to play. I think Rutherford sneakily did a good job this trading season.
Photo credit: AP
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2 comments:
definitely think Shero deserved some strong consideration for what he did
Burke has finally realized he cannot buy a team and now is going to try to build it!He's telling Toronto media that the blueprint hasn't changed.He's wasted 2 1/2 years.I must admit he did make good moves this deadline but it's out of desperation.He should start by firing that dinosaur Wilson.Versteeg's comments summed it up when he left saying he wanted out,instead of the typical would have like to see it through,hate to leave the team,thought it could work etc.After having to sign Scott N. and getting a desperation trade for Pronger he won a championship with a team Brian Murray built(Anaheim),but he's perceived as this mastermind.This could be the third year in a row Leafs miss the playoffs and the media is too scared to rip him,because of this tuff guy image.Toronto has been a disaster so far,Good luck Burke.
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