Leafs trying to find chemis-tree

TORONTO-- Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had one of their best seasons in recent memory, the best under GM Ron Dubin's watchful eye.  After remaining relatively quiet last off-season and making a couple underrated moves early, the Leafs made some noise by landing the rights to host the All Star Game with GM Dubin's team winning it all, acquiring Corey Perry and Chris Pronger among others, and driving deep into the playoffs before being bounced by eventual Stanley Cup Champs Tampa Bay Lightning.  Marian Hossa won the Rocket Richard as well as being nominated for the Selke, and Dan Bylsma took home the Jack Adams Award for best coach.  Overall, the last season was deemed a success considering the seasons before it, and no one expected too much of a roster overhaul.  Sure, holes had to be filled, but many thought it would just be a few tinkerings here and there.

Then GM Dubin decided to shuffle the deck a bit.  And by a bit, we mean A LOT.  After a few minor deals before the draft, Dubin makes a bold decision and buys out top centre and 106-point scorer Derek Roy's contract, leaving a gaping void down the middle, especially with Saku Koivu not being re-signed by the club.  But then Dubin pulls a rabbit out of his hat and lures Calgary GM Derek Lofus into trading Joe Thornton for a 2nd round pick and a prospect.  Fans in Toronto were thrilled at the acquisition. Curtis Glencross was also moved to division rival Ottawa for Michael Frolik.  "Frolik is such a versitile player, and we value that highly as an organization.  Curtis is a heck of a player, and we wish him well in Ottawa, but we feel that Michael gives us more options in how we can set up a roster."

At the draft, Dubin moved steady defenceman Eric Brewer for Mark Streit, and was quoted to be looking for a more offensively driven player from the point.  Streit definatley fills that need, as he can quaterback the powerplay as well as lead a rush out of the defensive zone.

From there, Dubin worked his prowess at the draft, loading up in net and on the right side, using 10 of the 11 picks he walked into the draft with.  He selected Thatcher Demko in the first round, giving the Leafs an elite goaltending prospect and followed that up by drafting Alex Nedeljokivic in the second round.  "We have faith in Braden Holtby in net for the Leafs, but we wanted to start developing some goaltending depth now as we understand that good goaltenders take time.  Thatcher and Alex provide us with the depth to encourage healthy competiton within the organization."

The Leafs also drafted a center, Chase De Leo, and two defencemen in Dysin Mayo and Trevor Carrick.  "Dysin is a project type player.  We believe he will get better with an increased role on the Oil Kings, and hope that his skills will develop at an accelerated pace."

On the right side, the leafs drafted Warren Foegele, Austin Poganski, Seth Griffith, Chris Wagner and Spencer Watson.  Asked why he spent so many picks on the right side, "We felt that these players were the best fit for our organization.  We also wanted to focus on certain positions and make them strong with quality and quantity.  In net and on the right side are where we focused our efforts and we feel it will pay off in spades in the long run."

After the draft, the real fireworks started as a deal with Buffalo left many fans in shock.  Fan favourites Matt Stajan and Daniel Paille were traded with Michael Sauer and a couple prospects to the Sabres for Karl Alzner and a 2nd round pick.  Many mixed feelings were had by the public and media alike as the depth of the team was severely weakened up front by the deal.  What was deemed a solid bottom six forward grouping was ripped to shreds with the deal, but some saw it as a way to free up roster spots and cap room for a future deal or perhaps a big UFA signing.

GM Dubin seemingly flipped a coin, and made the big trade.  

After announcing the re-signing of defensive stalwart Francois Beauchemin, he got on the phone with the Anaheim Ducks and pulled off a trade that sent ripples around the league.  Corey Perry was going back to the Ducks along with Andrej Meszaros, but what was coming back to the Leafs had fans, media and peers all singing praises.  Andrew Ladd, Frans Nielsen, Erik Gurbrandson and prospects Connor Murphy and Nathan Walker were all coming the other way in the deal.  "I had no intention of dealing Corey, but when Anaheim called, we managed to find a deal that both of us were very pleased with.  Between the deal with Buffalo and this one, I feel we have upgraded in our main roster depth as well in our prospects.  And I got Nathan Walker because I have a weakness for Aussies."

With UFA right around the corner, what does GM Dubin have up his sleeve?  He claims to have a plan, but how many more twists and turns does it have for our beloved Maple Leafs and its loyal fan base.  Stay Tuned.