globeandmail.com: Help sought for Ferguson: "Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie confirmed yesterday that his organization is seeking to hire a senior adviser to work with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson.
The club first approached former Detroit Red Wings head coach Scott Bowman, who still works with Detroit as a consultant, about the position, but the Hall of Famer wasn't interested."
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The 2001 Canadian major junior player of the year, who couldn't make a go of it in the big league with Atlanta, Nashville and St. Louis before moving to Switzerland to play last winter, signed a two-year contract with the Leafs on Monday."
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Which moves a five-time Cup champion into a position of negotiating strength.
Scotty Bowman has turned down the overtures of a three-year contract worth at least $6 million because he determined he couldn't, or didn't want to, work for CEO Richard Peddie."
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Maple Leafs sign D Harrison, RW Gamache: "The Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Jay Harrison to a one-year contract and signed right wing Simon Gamache to a two-year deal.
Torontoist: The State of Leafs Nation: "As any hockey fan in Toronto already knows, the NHL draft took place this weekend and featured John Ferguson Jr. trading for a veteran goalie for the second straight year. The newly acquired Vesa Toskala, traded from San Jose, should provide a more stable presence in the net than Andrew Raycroft, and is projected to become the starting netminder.
While a quality goalie was obviously a necessity for the Leafs, the fact that they gave up first and second round picks from this year’s draft and a fourth-rounder from 2009 was yet another move by Ferguson that brought out the contradictions of his words and actions. For all that he talks about building a system from the ground up through quality scouting, drafts and prospects, it was the second year in a row that he sold out the future for the present."
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The 24-year-old Colaiacovo, who has appeared in 73 games with Toronto, had eight goals and nine assists in 48 games this season. He was second in goals and sixth in points among rookie blueliners."
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Maple Leafs ink D Colaiacovo to three-year extension: "The Toronto Maple Leafs did not allow Carlo Colaiacovo to become a restricted free agent, signing the defenseman to a three-year contract extension Thursday.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Drafted 17th overall in 2001, Colaiacovo played in 48 games with the Maple Leafs this past season despite suffering several injuries, recording eight goals, nine assists and 22 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old ranked second in tallies and sixth in points among all rookie defensemen."
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Sharks trade Toskala, pick Couture No. 9: "The San Jose Sharks can only hope new center Logan Couture is as quick and creative as general manager Doug Wilson, who turned two of his club's biggest dilemmas into a top draft pick Friday.
The Sharks first traded goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell to Toronto for three picks in the first big deal of NHL draft day, resolving their goaltending logjam and dumping the underachieving Bell's exorbitant contract in one move."
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Let the trades begin: "Goalies ruled the day Friday as the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Vesa Toskala sweepstakes and the Florida Panthers landed goalie Tomas Vokoun.
The Panthers acquired Vokoun from the Nashville Predators for a package of draft picks in a blockbuster deal a few hours before the first round of the entry draft, giving up a first-round draft pick in 2008 and a pair of second-draft picks, an ’07 and a conditional ’07 or ’08."
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TorontoSun.com - Hockey - Leafs' moves excite captain: "Mats Sundin might well be basking in retirement on the shores of a pristine Swedish lake by the time the majority of kids from the draft class of 2007 finally claw their way into the NHL.
For the 36-year-old captain of the Maple Leafs, the future is now.
Vesa Toskala may indeed provide the Maple Leafs with an upgrade in goal over Andrew Raycroft, although it is historically curious that after using a Finnish goalie prospect to acquire Raycroft, who was better as a rookie than in subsequent years, the Leafs have now used a top draft pick to acquire a Finnish goalie who was much more highly rated in his own country a decade ago than he is now."
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Both Bell, a tough, scoring forward when he's on his game, and Toskala, a 30-year-old who split netminding duties in San Jose last season, will don the Blue and White next season after general manager John Ferguson pulled the trigger on a draft-day deal that addresses the team's biggest needs.
'Vesa is an unbelievable goaltender,' said Bell. 'I personally believe Vesa is highly underrated.
Mitchell, a 5-9 forward from the Oshawa Generals was picked today in the third round, 74th overall, but he was the first pick in the 2007 Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He's just not ready to share those plans just yet, but rest assured Vesa Toskala will see a lot of action in net, and winger Mark Bell will get a lot of ice time.
He wouldn't say whether he thought Toskala would assume the No.1 goalie's job from incumbent Andrew Raycroft.
'That's going to take care of itself,' said Maurice. 'We've got two very good goalies. One set some franchise records for us this year, another one's got outstanding numbers coming in."
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The Leafs director of amateur scouting had little to do for two rounds with Friday's trade for goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell for a first-round pick on Friday night and second-round pick yesterday (plus a fourth-rounder in 2009).
'Obviously we made our deal which was great for our team,' said Morrison. 'Any time we make our big team better, I'm on board. That's okay. That's the nature of the business.'"
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globeandmail.com: Ferguson pulls off another deal for goaltender: "Andrew Raycroft matched a Toronto Maple Leafs club record with 37 wins last season, but general manager John Ferguson Jr. showed how much faith he had in him when he surrendered three draft picks for goaltender Vesa Toskala yesterday.
The Leafs acquired Toskala from the San Jose Sharks, along with forward Mark Bell, in exchange for the cost of a conditional first-round selection and second-round choice this year and fourth-round picks in 2009.
The Sharks then flipped the first-round and second-round picks to the St. Louis Blues for the ninth overall selection last night, which the Sharks used to draft Ottawa 67's forward Logan Couture."
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But Toronto? Nice place to live but you wouldn't want to play pro hockey here. Not, at least, if you want to be part of a winning tradition.
This is a city that is home to a franchise that last year celebrated the fact that it had been 40 years since it last won a Stanley Cup. Not five. Not 10. Not 20. Forty. Most places, the operators would have been laying low, trying to make people forget such a miserable statistic. Here, there is no shame, only opportunities for re-packaging (plus taxes)."
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The burning question is not why the Leafs again traded for a goaltender, but this time did they get it right?
It would appear so.
While Raycroft gave the Leafs steady and at times very good goaltending last season, he still couldn't steer the Leafs into the playoffs. Now, that is not the responsibility or the result of the play of one player, but what the Leafs needed last year was great goaltending and they didn't get it."
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The Leafs general manager remained in the Leafs' suite in a downtown Columbus hotel Friday, believed to be working on a contract extension for the Toronto's new netminding saviour.
Toskala, 30, has one year remaining on his contract that pays him $1.375 million (all figures U.S.) next season. Toskala had split time in San Jose's goal last season with Evgeni Nabakov, but has shown the ability to be a No. 1 goalie."
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ESPN - Sharks deal Toskala, Bell to Leafs for first-rounder - NHL: "The San Jose Sharks traded goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday for three draft picks, including a first-rounder, in the first big deal of NHL draft day.
Toskala teamed up with Evgeni Nabokov over the previous three seasons to form one of the NHL's best goaltending tandems. But both players' desire to be starters prompted general manager Doug Wilson to give up a homegrown talent in exchange for draft picks.
The Sharks got the choice to take Toronto's first-round pick Friday _--13th overall -- or next season's pick. San Jose also got the Maple Leafs' second-round pick -- 44th overall -- and a fourth-round pick in 2009."
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Sharks Trade Two Players to Maple Leafs - Forbes.com: "The San Jose Sharks traded goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday for three draft picks, including a first-rounder, in the first big deal of NHL draft day.
Toskala teamed up with Evgeni Nabokov over the previous three seasons to form one of the NHL's best goaltending tandems. But both players' desire to be starters prompted general manager Doug Wilson to give up a homegrown talent in exchange for draft picks."
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Sharks Trade Two Players to Maple Leafs on ChicagoSports.com: "The San Jose Sharks traded goalie Vesa Toskala and forward Mark Bell to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday for three draft picks, including a first-rounder, in the first big deal of NHL draft day.
Toskala teamed up with Evgeni Nabokov over the previous three seasons to form one of the NHL's best goaltending tandems. But both players' desire to be starters prompted general manager Doug Wilson to give up a homegrown talent in exchange for draft picks."
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One year after trading with Boston for Andrew Raycroft, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM made another splash Friday, reeling in Vesa Toskala from the San Jose Sharks - by far the most attractive goalie available on the trade market this off-season."
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One year after trading with the Boston Bruins for Andrew Raycroft, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM made another splash Friday, reeling in Vesa Toskala from the San Jose Sharks - by far the most attractive goalie available on the trade market this off-season.
Forward Mark Bell also comes in the deal for Toronto’s 2007 or ’08 first-round pick (that’s San Jose’s option), a 2007 second-round pick and a 2009 fourth-round selection. The Leafs went into Friday night’s draft with the 13th overall selection. "
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San Jose ships Toskala and Bell to Toronto for picks | KGET: "The first big trade of NHL draft day occurred hours before the first pick as San Jose shipped goaltender Vesa Toskala and left wing Mark Bell to Toronto for a handful of picks on Friday. The Maple Leafs sent the Sharks a first round pick (San Jose's option for 2007 or 2008), the second-round pick in this year's draft along with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft.
TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader: "The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Vesa Toskala and winger Mark Bell from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a conditional first round pick, a second-round pick in 2007 and a 2009 fourth-round pick
The first round pick is set for 2007, but if the player the Sharks want isn't available, San Jose has the option to move the pick to 2008 with a top 10 protection covering the Leafs.
The Leafs and their oft-injured defenceman reached an agreement that will pay the emerging star $1.283 million (all figures U.S.) a year for the next three years.
'He has demonstrated a commitment to the organization and us to him,' said Ferguson. 'He made some great strides as a pro last year especially and we ended up relying on him in a lot of situations. He's got a real good up-side for us. I impressed upon him the importance of keeping that going in the right direction.'"
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In case the name doesn't ring a bell, Morrison is the chief scout of the Maple Leafs, hardly a position that has been repeatedly crowned with glory over four decades of generally mediocre Leaf drafting, but a notable posting all the same.
Somewhere around, oh, 9 p.m. tonight, after 12 other teams have hemmed and hawed and thanked the city of Columbus for its Ohio hospitality and congratulated the Anaheim Ducks on winning the Stanley Cup, Morrison will call out a name of some young man who will immediately be deemed the newest next great hope."
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Leafs re-sign defenceman Colaiacovo: "Defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo secured a multimillion-dollar contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday, despite a history of injuries.
There has been speculation the Leafs are looking at hiring John Muckler, recently fired as Ottawa's general manager, to act as a consultant to Toronto GM John Ferguson.
Richard Peddie, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., would not comment on the club's interest in Muckler but did say bringing an experienced hockey man on board has not been ruled out."
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Maple Leafs ink D Colaiacovo to three-year extension: "The Toronto Maple Leafs did not allow Carlo Colaiacovo to become a restricted free agent, signing the defenseman to a three-year contract extension Thursday.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Drafted 17th overall in 2001, Colaiacovo played in 48 games with the Maple Leafs this past season despite suffering several injuries, recording eight goals, nine assists and 22 penalty minutes. The 24-year-old ranked second in tallies and sixth in points among all rookie defensemen."
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Leafs like Legein at lucky 13: "Some hockey insiders have the Toronto Maple Leafs set to pick feisty Mississauga IceDogs winger Stefan Legein with their first pick in this weekend’s 2007 National Hockey League entry draft in Columbus. Legein is one of five players ranked the 13th best prospect by various scouting and news organizations dedicated to hockey — and the Leafs happen to hold the 13th pick in the first round. The other Lucky 13’s are Logan Couture. Oscar Moller, Thomas Hickey and Coulton Gillies."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Leafs and Colaiacovo no closer to deal: "General manager John Ferguson wouldn't say he's getting any closer to re-signing restricted free agent to-be Carlo Colaiacovo, a worrisome sign that perhaps talks between the Leafs and the defenceman could drag through the summer.
'I don't know that closer counts,' said Ferguson. 'There are only two important times with deals: Done or not done. Close, I don't know what close means. Close just means no deal.'"
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It depends on who you believe. And it really does depend on what the 12 other general managers do prior to Leafs GM John Ferguson heading to the podium at the 2007 NHL entry draft in Columbus tomorrow (TSN, 7 p.m.).
But those five names are among players rated 13th by various scouting and news organizations dedicated to hockey. So if one of the prognosticators is right, one of these players will be the property of the Toronto Maple Leafs by the time the first round of the draft is complete."
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But the veteran goalie, who has been a starter for most of his playing days, admits that he would accept a supporting role if it meant donning the blue and white again.
'To be back here again? Ya, absolutely I would, for sure,' former Maple Leaf Curtis Joseph revealed during a phone interview last night.
Leafs officials have publicly stated that they would like to find a backup to 'push' incumbent Andrew Raycroft, who endured an inconsistent roller-coaster season en route to tying Ed Belfour's franchise mark for victories with 37."
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Maple Leafs 2007 draft preview: "There is a certain school of thought that says the 2007 NHL Entry Draft on June 22-23 in Columbus, Ohio could be the most important draft in a long time for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Currently, the Leafs are on the brink of becoming a playoff team. But as everyone knows, without a solid core of players coming through the pipe every couple of years, it can turn ugly very quickly - just ask the Carolina Hurricanes."
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But few if any of the 30 teams involved expects an automatic windfall in Columbus. The shifting fortunes of the Central Scouting Bureau's top prospects through this year are the first clue and lack of any recognizable names beyond the top five or six skaters means a lot of clubs are in wait and see mode."
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THERECORD.COM | NEWS: "Several times over the past few years, I have laughingly suggested that the way for Hamilton to land an NHL team is to let the Toronto Maple Leafs run Copps Coliseum.
Leafs could sure use Muckler: "It was late September, and John Muckler sat in his bunker-like general manager's office at the then-Corel Centre, talking hockey before an Ottawa Senators pre-season game. Outside, the sounds of the National Hockey League were cranking up for the first time in a year, as the NHL clambered out of hibernation. A reporter noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa's chief rival, did not appear to be set up for the post-lockout NHL.
'No,' said Muckler, shaking his head. 'No, they don't.'
That was almost two years ago. Yesterday, the 73-year-old Muckler was fired by the Senators after Ottawa lost in the Stanley Cup final. After rejecting another role in the Ottawa organization, he is a free agent. So here is some entirely unsolicited advice for Toronto, the hockey --and hockey mediocrity --capital of the world.
Toronto Maple Leafs draft needs and recent draft history: "NEEDS: At 36 years old, Mats Sundin can't be expected to carry the Maple Leafs' offense much longer. The team is in desperate need of offensive forwards. After Sundin, the top scorers last season were defensemen Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle. While the defensive duo's scoring output can be considered a team strength, it further emphasizes Toronto's lack of firepower. Outside of Sundin's 76 points, no forward on the team recorded more than 45 points. The Maple Leafs also could use some help on the blue line beyond McCabe and Kaberle, but that consideration should take a back seat to the team's more pressing need. Toronto appears content with Andrew Raycroft in net for the time being."
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But clearly he also has turned the heat up on the Maple Leafs.
By moving off talks that were headed toward a two-year deal and instead pushing for and agreeing on a one-year, $5.5 million (all figures U.S.) salary, the Leafs captain says it gives him the chance to evaluate his play, health and state of mind next summer before deciding whether to continue his career.
TheStar.com - Sports - It's playoffs or bust for Sundin: "Mats Sundin won't have to worry about making a decision on his future as a Maple Leaf this time next year if the club misses post-season play for a third straight season.
He'll be headed out the door, and he won't be alone.
General manager John Ferguson almost certainly will be fired, and possibly head coach Paul Maurice, as well. Player-wise, you can bet goalie Andrew Raycroft won't be returning if he can't backstop the club into the playoffs.
Conversely, if the Leafs do qualify, it likely will be because the captain had a strong season, and therefore he'll be less inclined to call it quits or look elsewhere for employment."
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Sundin, whose wonky hip has been bothering him since Christmas, isn't yet ready to announce that this is his final season but he suggested to Swedish paper Aftonbladet over the weekend that, physically, he's at the point in his career where he is better to assess his future on a year-to-year basis.
TheStar.com - Sports - Leafs closing in on deal with Sundin: "Leaf general manager John Ferguson and J.P. Barry, Mats Sundin's agent, will meet this morning to discuss what's believed will be the final terms that will lock up the Leaf captain for another two years, the Star has learned.
They may come out of the conversation with their long-awaited, much anticipated deal today or tomorrow at the latest as Ferguson faces a Friday deadline to determine whether the Leafs will pick up or decline the option year on Sundin's salary.
The Leafs are satisfied Sundin's wonky hip – which held him to one goal over his last 20 games – is healthy. Two doctors have determined the 36-year-old does not require surgery."
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That was one of the wise-acre lines going around after Anaheim finished dismantling the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup final, and it applied to the Maple Leafs and their championship drought of four decades and counting.
Maple Leafs ink Nik Antropov for 2 years: "The Toronto Maple Leafs have given forward Nik Antropov a two-year contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.
Leafs general manager John Ferguson and J.P. Barry, the agent for Sundin, are said to be close to a two-year, $11.5 million (all figures U.S.) deal. Both were taking in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals Monday night."
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TheStar.com - Sports - Leafs, Sundin close to new two-year deal: "Leaf captain Mats Sundin, who got a clean bill of health from a Colorado sports doctor yesterday, is believed to be mere days away from a signing a two-year contract worth $11 million (all figures U.S.).
'I don't want to be premature with close or not close, but we've had real good conversations of late and our intent is to get something done and get it done in a timely fashion,' said Leafs general manager John Ferguson."
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