Nylander makes NHL debut

William Nylander lead Leafs' forwards in ice time in his first NHL game Monday.

Wild add Jones

Minnesota sends Niklas Backstrom to Calgary for forward David Jones.

McGinn to Anaheim

The Ducks have picked up Jamie McGinn from Buffalo for a pick.

Devils deal Stempniak to Bruins

Boston send two picks to New Jersey in exchange for pending UFA Stempniak.

Staal off to Broadway

Carolina says goodbye to their captain, sending Eric Staal to the Rangers.

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Why Jonathan Bernier should be Worried for His Job

When Jonathan Bernier was traded to in Toronto in 2013, Leafs Nation was thrilled.

Skip ahead to just over 29 months later.

Bernier is now on the outside looking in, watching as James Reimer re-establishes himself as Toronto's number one goalie. On top of that, rookie Garret Sparks has been the first star in two of his three career NHL games. With Bernier posting career-worst numbers this season, a trade or even waivers could be his future in Toronto.


Bernier came to Toronto in June of 2013, as part of a trade that sent Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin, and a second-round pick to Los Angeles. He was a first round pick in 2006, and had been a backup for the Kings since 2010, posting solid numbers in the few NHL games he played. In his first season with the Leafs in 2013-14, Bernier got off to a great start, finishing 6th among starting goalies in overall save percentage. He took over the starting job from James Reimer, who had been the team's playoff saviour the previous year. But for Bernier, it was all downhill from there.

Last season, Bernier's stats were mediocre, finishing with a .912 save percentage. Bernier's play declined throughout the season, and by the end of the year he had won only 6 of his final 31 games.  This was concerning, but the Leafs had completely collapsed as a whole, interim head coach Peter Horachek was largely useless, and James Reimer actually posted a lower save percentage than Bernier. With all of this going on, Bernier's play could be overshadowed, and labelled as a fluke.

Now in 2015, there are no excuses for Bernier, who has lost all of his nine starts this season. Bernier's save percentage has dropped to a brutal .888, and Toronto has sent him down to the AHL for a conditioning stint. Bernier's play isn't the only part that seems to be leading to his demise as an NHL starter- it's also aided by the play of the Leafs' remaining goalies.

James Reimer came into the season as a backup, who seemed destined to play out the season when needed, then drift away into the free agency pool in 2016. However, Reimer has been the Leafs'
MVP as of late, with a 7-4-1 record for a team at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Reimer has a .935 save percentage in 16 games, matching the likes of Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist.

Reimer recently dropped down with injuries, leaving the Leafs seemingly doomed to use Bernier in net until his return. But coach Mike Babcock did something unexpected. Babcock called up Toronto Marlies' goaltender Garret Sparks to play in the team's game last week against Edmonton instead of Bernier- and everyone knows how that went. Sparks became the first goalie in Maple Leafs' history to get a shutout in his NHL debut. After a rough outing against Winnipeg, Sparks rebounded beating a skilled St. Louis team, and was named the first star of the game.

So where did Toronto go wrong with their goaltending situation to get to this point?

The team should have let James Reimer ride out his good play into the next season after his playoff performance. Reimer was playing at the top of his game, but was then rewarded with the Leafs essentially pushing him to the side to make room for Bernier. Bernier then came in as the starter, and was expected to perform as an elite NHL goaltender. However what the Leafs seemed to disregard when they tried to make Bernier the face of the team, is that he had only played in only 62 games over the course of six seasons with the Kings before coming to Toronto. Sure his numbers were impressive, but he had never been tested as a starter. The Leafs didn't let Bernier develop into that role, but instead threw him into it, shunning Reimer in the process. This sent the Toronto's goaltending situation into a tailspin, only being recovered now.

With Reimer playing at his best, and Garret Sparks moving up the ranks, Bernier's days in Toronto seem to be numbered. Bernier did make 22 saves for a shutout in his first game with the Marlies on Friday night, but he'll have a tough time squeezing his way back into one of Toronto's top two goaltending spots.

From starter to minor leaguer, Bernier has seen it all since coming to Leafland. He is under contract through next season, but could now find himself forced out of Toronto much sooner than that. Every goalie has his time with a team, and Bernier's time in Toronto may be limited.


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Atlantic Division Preview Part 4- Tampa Bay/Toronto

Tampa Bay and Toronto were two teams that went in very different directions last season. Tampa Bay won the Eastern Conference, only to lose to Chicago in a thrilling Stanley Cup Finals series. The Leafs, on the other hand, missed the playoffs for the ninth time in ten years. This season, fans can expect little to change with the Lightning once again fuelled with talent, and Toronto relying on mediocre players to help make them a competitive team.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Off- season Moves: Tampa Bay made no significant transactions in the off- season, likely due their cap space. Tampa is currently $2 million over the cap limit, making any sort of major trades impossible. The off- season move that they should really be looking out for is locking up Steven Stamkos, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2016.



Direction of the Team: There's no question that the Lightning are off to a slow start this season. Currently sitting in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, and  5th in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay's 11-11 record isn't going to get them anywhere. That being said, the Lightning have one of the most skilled teams in the NHL, with a great balance of talent throughout their roster. Up front, Tampa Bay is led by Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Tyler Johnson. All are under-performing, scoring 43 points between them in a combined 75 games, but if the threesome can return to what fans saw in the 2015 playoffs, the Lightning will be a tough team to beat. Ryan Callahan,Valtteri Filppula, and Odrej Palat will also be counted on for secondary scoring, when the team starts their drive towards the playoffs. On the back end, the Lightning have one of the most all-around talented defencemen in the league, former second overall pick Victor Hedman. The Swedish-born defenceman made major scoring contributions last season, scoring 38 points in 59 games last season, while also being able to throw body checks that brings fan to their feet, one way or the other. The defence core also includes Anton Stralman, Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn, and Matthew Carle, making the Lightning one of the most well-rounded defensive teams in the NHL. Ben Bishop was a key piece of the team's playoff run last season, and has been solid for the Lightning this year, carrying a .926 save percentage. If Tampa Bay performs to the best of their abilities, they could be one of the top teams in the NHL without a doubt.

Projected Finish: Going into this year, many people viewed the Lightning as a potential cup contender, however the team now has many doubters after their mediocre start to the season. Many of the team's stop players are not performing anywhere near the best of their abilities, but if their top scorers can find a way to kick it into gear, Tampa Bay could once again find themselves in a deep playoff run.

Final Prediction: Tampa Bay has a considerable about of firepower in their lineup, and could land in 2nd or 3rd in the Atlantic Division.


Toronto Maple Leafs

Off- season Moves: The Leafs made two of the biggest moves of the off- season, trading away their star forward Phil Kessel, in exchange for a number of prospects and draft picks. Though it'll be impossible to determine whether or not the deal turns out well for Toronto for at least a few years, it's clear that the team took an immediate hit from Kessel's departure. The Leafs tried to make up for this gap by signing several B level players such as Brad Boyes, Shawn Matthias, and PA Parenteau, as well as trading for Michael Grabner. Though none of these acquisitions were negative, none of them will produce as well as Kessel. The Kessel trade was a necessary one, but it leaves the Leafs in a bad place for the season. Perhaps the bright spot of the Leafs' off- season came in the management department, signing Mike Babcock, who led the Canadian to their last two Olympic gold medals. Babcock went 10 seasons with Detroit, not once missing the playoffs, and winning a Stanley Cup along the way. Toronto also hired Lou Lamoriello, a veteran in the Devils organization, who will help the Leafs through a proper rebuilding process. Though the team on the ice may not show it, if all goes according to plan, Leafs management could have the Leafs in the playoffs within the next three or four years.

Direction of the Team: Toronto is not a contender, nor will they be next season, or the season after that. But if Leafs fans can endure the pain of wearing their Leafs jerseys for just a couple more seasons, it may all be worthwhile. Though the players that Toronto signed in the off- season may not be too helpful for the team, they could bring in a good return at the trade deadline. Grabner, as well as the rest of the players acquired in the off- season, all become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, and could help the Leafs to acquire draft picks and prospects. Though there are a number of big players that could be trade bait at the deadline, such as Cam Ward, Eric Staal, and Jaromir Jagr, the secondary players on the Leafs roster may still be a key piece of rebuilding the team for the future, depending on Toronto's asking price. Putting the Leafs situation simply: it's going to be worse before it gets better, but if there's anyone that can make it better, it's Babcock and Lamoriello.

Projected Finish: It's going to be a rough go for Toronto, and they'll likely finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Relying on the under-perfroming likes of Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri isn't going to cut it for Toronto, and they are almost surely not going to be a playoff team.

Final Prediction: Toronto will hobble to the finish line between 13th and 16th place in the Eastern Conference.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 3- Montreal/Ottawa

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators were two of most successful teams in the Atlantic Division last year. Through strong defensive play, the Canadiens finished second in the Eastern Conference, only behind the New York Rangers, but couldn't get past Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs. The Senators looked doomed half way through the season, but after an incredible turnaround and surprising heroes, Ottawa clinched their ticket to the playoffs. After an exciting first round series between the two teams, the Canadiens will be looking to make a deeper playoff run this year, and the Senators will be looking to carry their momentum from last year into the 2015-2016 season. Both teams look similar going into this season , and are looking to make a big splash in the league.

Montreal Canadiens

Off- season Moves: The Canadiens have a similar look to what was seen in the 2015 playoffs, with a few new additions. Montreal made a somewhat surprising move, signing buyout victim Alexander Semin to a one-year deal. Though people have criticized Semin for his work ethic, he could prove to be a key asset for Montreal. By spending only $1.8 million on Semin, the Canadiens pulled off a great low-risk move for a skilled forward. Montreal also went and signed former Anaheim Duck, Tomas Fleischmann. This was another great move for the team, gaining depth for the year, while making almost no dent in their salary cap. The Canadiens will be hoping Fleischmann will be able to return to his 2012 form, where he tallied a career-high 62 points for the Florida Panthers. Adding the two forwards may be the depth up-front that Montreal was missing last year, and could allow the team to make a deeper playoff run.

Direction of the Team: Montreal has one of the league's hottest commodities in goaltender Carey Price. Price had a great year coming off winning Olympic Gold, leading the league in wins, save percentage, and goals-against average. The Canadiens finished with the lowest goals against in the league last year, but that can't be put only on Carey Price. With PK Subban, Andrei Markov, Jeff Petry, and Alexei Emelin, the Canadiens had one of the strongest defence cores in the NHL. The group was a great mix of defensively stability, while also being able to contribute offensively. However, when it comes to offence, Montreal is an average. Max Pacioretty was a bright spot for the Habs last season, but as a team Montreal finished only 20th in the NHL in total goals for. Montreal may be looking to make a deadline deal for a forward, but will have to work around their cap space which is set at $4.925 million.

Projected Finish: Montreal will look to finally make a deep playoff run, with many of their players at the top of their game. If Price can stay healthy, the Canadiens could go into the 2016 playoffs as a favourite.

Final Prediction: Montreal will be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with a 1st or 2nd place finish in the Atlantic Division.


Ottawa Senators

Off-season Moves: After the team's imncredible run last season, no one can blame Ottawa for sticking to their 2014-2015 roster. The only move made this season was shipping off young goaltender Robin Lehner, and David Legwand to Buffalo in exchange for the 21st overall pick, which the Sens used to select centre Colin White, from the US National Under- 18 Team. Lehner is only 24 years old, and has good potential, but has already struggled with injuries since entering the league. Legwand had only one year left on his contract, and put up a career-low 0.34 points per-game average. To get a first- round pick back from the Sabres for Lehner and Legwand was a great deal for Ottawa, especially with the Sens already having a solid goalie pairing of Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond.

Direction of the Team: Ottawa is a very young team, and in a couple of years Ottawa could be a cup
contender. With Bobby Ryan locked up long-term, and emerging stars Mark Stone, Mike Hoffman, and Mika Zibanejad still restricted by contract, Ottawa looks like they'll have the core of their team for a while. Kyle Turris also scored a career-high 64 points last season, and will need to be one of Ottawa's top forwards again this season. The Senators also have one of the best offensive defencemen in the NHL in Erik Karlsson, as well as stay-at-home defenceman Marc Methot to balance out the Senators' top pairing. The two players will be the anchor to the Sens' defence, and will provide leadership for Cody Ceci, and rookie Chris Wideman. In net, Ottawa has both Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond playing at their best, and both are signed for three more years.

Projected Finish: In a strong Atlantic division, with both Montreal and Tampa Bay, as well as Boston and Detroit, Ottawa will likely take one of the Eastern Conference wild card spots. The Sens could squeeze in and take the last Atlantic spot, but either way, the team will likely see themselves in the playoffs once again.

Final Prediction: Ottawa will continue to grow stronger this season, and will finish 7th or 8th in the Eastern Conference.

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Atlantic Division Preview Part 2- Detroit/Florida

Not too often can one say that arguably the biggest move of the NHL off- season didn't involve an actual player, but this rings true in the case of the Detroit Red Wings. For the first time in 11 seasons, Mike Babcock won't be seen behind the home bench at the Joe Louis Arena once the season starts up in October. Meanwhile in Florida, changes over the summer have been seldom, and the team looks very similar team to the 2014-2015 Panthers installment. Nevertheless, once again, Detroit and Florida look to be heading in two very different directions going into the upcoming season.

Detroit Red Wings  

Off- Season Moves: One of the biggest changes in Detroit this summer was the loss of longtime head coach Mike Babcock. With Babcock leaving the team after his contract expired, the Red Wings signed Grand Rapids' head coach Jeff Blashill. Although there is no replacing a coach like Babcock, Blashill proved himself in his three seasons with Detroit's AHL team, winning one Calder Cup, and a Coach of the Year award. Blashill is one of the youngest coaches in the NHL at 41 years old, but will be helped out in his first year by the Red Wing's talented team. Last season, Detroit lost a close Round 1 match up against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who went on to win the Eastern Conference. Going into the new season, Detroit has improved greatly, adding two of the most sought after free agents in Brad Richards and Mike Green. Richards is a two- time Cup Champion, and will provide experience for some of the younger forwards such as Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist. Although Richards is past his prime, he will still be able to contribute, and since Detroit only gave him a one year deal, there is very little risk in the signing. Green was an addition that will allow Detroit's defence to contribute more offensively, and Green will likely be the quarterback to the Red Wings' powerplay.




Direction of the Team: With the additions of Richards and Green, Detroit could find themselves in a very good spot in the Eastern Conference. For decades the Red Wings have managed to filter out aging players while bringing in new players, and have never had any real roster changes between seasons. However even with that, Detroit still remains one of the oldest teams in the league, with stars Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, and others all in their late 30's. This begs the question of whether or not the Red Wings will be on a downward decline over the coming years, but at least for this year Detroit will keep a strong team. One big change that was seen last season with the team was young goaltender Petr Mrazek taking over the number one position from Jimmy Howard. It's fair to say Howard will likely not want to be a back-up goalie for long, so if Mrazek keeps up his play, Detroit may end up making a deal involving their former star goaltender. With four years remaining on his contract, Howard could bring in a good return for the team, with Detroit gaining young prospects to help with the aging problem of the Wings. However for now, Detroit has two strong goalies, that will help to lead the team to another successful season.

Projected Finish: The Wings have continued to improve throughout the off- season, and are looking at another playoff season. The mix of veterans and newcomers seems to be a good balance in Detroit, and for at least this season, fans can expect Detroit to be one of the teams leading the conference.

Final Prediction: Skilled team with the potential for a deep playoff run, 2nd-3rd place finish in the Atlantic Division.


Florida Panthers

Off- Season Moves: The Panthers were extremely quiet in the off- season, making no significant signings or changes to their roster. One move that was made, was swapping forwards with the Bruins, sending Jimmy Hayes to Boston in exchange for Reilly Smith. Both are solid, young players, and the deal was likely just meant to be a shake up for both teams, with the deal making no significant gain or loss for either team.

Direction of the Team: Florida has a very strong group of young players who are all sure to have a bright future in the NHL, however these players are being overshadowed by the aging veterans of the team. In recent years, the Panthers have done an incredible job drafting, picking up Jonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad, Aleksander Barkov, and others. Ekblad was the team's top defenceman in his rookie season, while Barkov and Huberdeau led much of the team's offense. This group of players will form a strong base for the team in upcoming seasons, but as of now, the core of the team is made up of players past their prime such as Jaromir Jagr, and Willie Mitchell. These players could be moved to a contending team, bringing in a decent return, while giving their younger players more ice time and opportunities. If the Panthers could acquire a strong forward in his prime, it would have a huge upside to the team, giving their younger players someone to feed off of. By keeping the mix of players they have now, the Panthers will have a competitive team, but will often find themselves just outside of the playoffs.

Projected Finish: The Panthers have significant young talent on their roster, but are failing to properly develop them into strong NHL players. Florida can't expect to be a playoff team, after missing the playoffs for many years, and doing nothing to change it.

Final Prediction: The Panthers have a bright future, however they're likely to fall short this season and finish between 10th-13th place in the Eastern Conference.




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Atlantic Division Preview Part 1- Boston/Buffalo

Last year, the Atlantic Division provided the hockey world with intense rivalries, breakout stars, and  much more. From the Senators' streak, to Boston's collapse, to Tampa Bay's rising talent, fans were treated to some of the most interesting hockey in recent years. In the hopes that the upcoming season will be no different, FSM will be providing a preview of every division, and giving predictions on what can be expected from the Atlantic Division.

Boston Bruins

Many fans were shocked when the playoff wagon rolled around for its 2015 installment, and the Bruins were not one of the teams on it. Boston's failure marked the first time in 8 years that Beantown would not see playoff hockey at TD Garden. This was also the first time since Claude Julien joined the team that the Bruins were left on the outside looking in, come playoff time. The team's 9th place finish sparked a shake up in Boston, which resulted in GM Peter Chiarelli needing to find work elsewhere, and many players ending up in a new team's colours.

Off- Season Moves:  The Bruins went through a quick rebuilding phase early on in the summer, trading longtime Bruin and fan favourite, Milan Lucic, to Los Angeles for a 2015 first round pick, prospect Colin Miller, and goalie Martin Jones. The Bruins then turned around, and dealt Jones to San Jose for prospect Sean Kuraly, and a first round pick in 2016. Boston wasn't done there, dealing young defenceman Dougie Hamilton to Calgary for their first round pick in this year's draft, along with two second round picks in the draft. So essentially, through dealing just Lucic and Hamilton, the Bruins acquired two first round picks, two second round picks, and two prospects. The Bruins had three back to back picks in the first round of the draft, and selected Jakub Zboril, Jake DeBrusk, and Zach Senyshyn. In free agency, the Bruins lost two solid forwards, with Carl Soderberg heading to Colorado, but made up for it in a way by signing Matt Beleskey. The Bruins also traded forward Reilly Smith to Florida in exchange for Jimmy Hayes.

Direction of the Team: The moves made by the Bruins could really go either way. New GM Don Sweeney made a smart decision to go through a partial rebuilding stage, without losing too much of the team's core. The Bruins still have the likes of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci locked up for years to come, which allowed them to deal Lucic, who had only one year left on his contract. By trading away some of their players now for future talent, the Bruins avoid having to go through a complete rebuild in a couple years when the age of their team finally starts to show. However, while shipping off Lucic was a necessary trade to make, the Dougie Hamilton deal may not have been the right direction to go. Yes, Boston got an extremely strong return for Hamilton, in a first round pick and two second round picks, however Hamilton is a very talented young defenceman. By dealing him, the Bruins are left with Zdeno Chara, 38, and Dennis Seidenberg, 34, to lead their defence through the rebuild, and both players have been seeing their play deteriorate in recent years due to their age.

Projected Finish: There is no doubt the Bruins have gotten weaker in the off-season, but that being said they will still be a very competitive team. Due to the nature of the Atlantic Division, the Bruins will likely not be able to grab any of the three Atlantic playoff spots, and will have to rely on the wildcard sports. There could be as many as four or five teams going for the two wildcards, so whether the Bruins make the playoffs is still up in the air.

Final Prediction: Potential playoff team, anywhere from 7th-10th place finish in the Eastern Conference. 



Buffalo Sabres

In 2011, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Buffalo Sabres out of the playoffs in seven games, and in four seasons, Buffalo hasn't been able to find their way back. Since that game seven, Buffalo has entered an awkward rebuilding stage, and can't seem to find their way out of it. They've traded away star players such as Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek during the time being, and are still waiting for the players and prospects they got in return to pay off. After three of their worst seasons in franchise history, the Sabres went to work this summer, and after their drafting, trading, and signings, are finally ready to have a competitive team in the Eastern Conference.

Off- Season Moves: June 26th proved to be the biggest day of the summer for the Sabres, as the team decided to completely re- shape their lineup. First, two blockbuster trades were made leading into the draft. With multiple first round picks, Buffalo decided to use some of their ammunition and pull the trigger on a deal to acquire young goaltender Robin Lehner from Ottawa in exchange for one of their first round picks. Though a first round pick may have been a lot to spend on Lehner, there is a good possibility he could end up being the new franchise goalie the Sabres need. With Lehner also came veteran forward David Legwand, who will be able to provide some experience for the young Buffalo squad. Next, Buffalo made a giant deal, acquiring Ryan O' Reilly and Jamie McGinn from Colorado, in exchange for rising prospects Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, a draft pick and a prospect. This was a great deal for Buffalo, with O' Reilly signing a 5 year deal with Buffalo after the trade, ensuring that he will be a key piece in Buffalo's rise to success in the next couple years. Buffalo already had so much young talent with the likes of Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen that they were able to give away Grigorenko and Zadorov in order to help them become a contender sooner rather than later. Lastly on draft day, the Sabres selected young talent Jack Eichel with the second overall pick. Coming out of Boston College, Eichel caught the eye of scouts, and had a strong showing at the World Junior Championship. Eichel is likely to make the Sabres' roster for the upcoming season, and will be exciting to watch during the next couple seasons in Buffalo.


Direction of the Team: In the next couple seasons, Buffalo will be a force to be reckoned with. However, it will not begin this season. The team is still too young, and even with the off- season moves, lacks depth defensively. Evander Kane will be joining the team after being acquired last season from Winnipeg, and will join forces with Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis, Zegmus Girgensons, and others in order to form a very solid forward lineup. On defence, Buffalo will be led by Zach Bogosian, but lack any other sturdy blue liners other than the aging Josh Gorges. Buffalo's main priority as of now should be to acquire a veteran defenceman, which would contribute to a well rounded Sabres squad. Whether or not Robin Lehner will be able to hold the fort as a starting goalie remains to be seen, but if he can, the Sabres could potentially push for a playoff spot. 

Projected Finish: In a few years, this section could likely say "Stanley Cup Finals bound". However for now, it will remain as "work in progress." Buffalo may have improved more than any other NHL team during the summer, but will need all the stars to align if they hope to be playing hockey in April. 

Final Prediction: Competitive team likely to miss the playoffs, 11th-14th place finish in the Eastern Conference.







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David Clarkson Traded to Columbus

The Cannon Goes Off in Columbus.

As per many reports, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward David Clarkson to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Nathan Horton. A deal that one would expect to have taken weeks, if not months, to come together came together in a matter of hours.


What does this mean for the Blue Jackets?

Columbus, a team in a small market, with a lack of financial support from their owner were paying Horton 5.3 mil to sit in the stands, and this was counting against their salary cap. This trade allows the Jackets to pay roughly the same amount for a player that will be in the line-up night in, night out. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen commented on the move saying, “David Clarkson has been a 30-goal scorer in the NHL who will bring added character and leadership to our group and we believe he will be a valuable contributor to our team.”

How does this help the disintegrating Leafs squad?

By moving Clarkson, Toronto GM Dave Nonis has not only made a huge step towards maintaining his job, but also rebuilding the organization. After inking a contract worthy of 5.25 mil per season deal, Clarkson did not fit in with the Toronto line-up. With a lack of production, Clarkson’s contract was reminiscent of Chris Pronger's contract in Philadelphia. Toronto has rid themselves of a massive contract and provided themselves with a substantial amount of financial flexibility.

Toronto, being a wealthy team, is able to pay Horton the money due to him, while not counting it against the salary cap. This will now allow them to do many things. Options could be to go out and sign a centre-stone to build around, or more optimistically, to retain some salary in deals that could see the exit of Phil Kessel, or Dion Phaneuf from the GTA. Nonis now finds himself with 5.25 million per year of spending money and likely a job for the next few years.

One can only speculate what is to come in Leaf land however one thing is inevitable: there will be no untouchables, and a plethora of new faces in Toronto.





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