Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.42

www.afootinthecrease.com

How many times have we heard, especially the last two seasons, from fans and media alike that the Maple Leafs have zero organizational depth compared with top franchises in the NHL? When JFJ and Doug Wilson consummated the transaction that saw Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell come to the Maple Leafs, it served as another prime example as to why the Leafs continue to lack that hot shot young talent that so many of the annually successful teams can boast.

In return for Toskala and Bell, the Leafs avoided giving up any roster players. Ask ten different people whether that’s a good thing and you’ll get ten different answers. Instead Ferguson opted to cash in the first and second round pick from this year’s draft and the Leafs 4th round selection in 2009. Based on the position the Leafs have sat in over the past two seasons, this type of a move is an example of a short term fix instead of a focus toward long-term success. While Toskala should shore up the concern in goal, will he alone make the Leafs a cup contender? No. As for Mark Bell, Toskala was not available unless Bell was apart of the deal. So really anything he produces is a bonus.

At the 13th pick, Angelo Esposito and Alexei Cherepanov were available, though they would not have won the Leafs the cup next season. However, the ability to draft either one of those two prospects could have put the Leafs in a position to build their team into a contender through the method MLSE management seems to be preaching but not following: building with youth through the draft. For Tampa Bay, Toskala’s addition could make them a serious contender next year with solid goaltending and a formidable offensive attack. For the Leafs, it comes nowhere close. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.