Building a Blueline

MONTREAL--The Maple Leafs have two defenceman participating in this weekend's all-star festivities, veteran Tomas Kaberle and rookie Luke Schenn, but there's another blueliner here that's on the club's radar.

That would Jay Bouwmeester of the Florida Panthers, a brilliant skater and Canadian Olympian who has thus far been unable to make a major impression on the NHL because he toils for the little-watched Panthers. Bouwmeester has turned down a long-term contract offer worth more than $6 million per season from Florida and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July at only 25 years of age.

The Panthers are looking a trade possibilities and hoping to get a first round pick, another top selection and a top, NHL -ready prospect if they move Bouwmeester. The Leafs don't have the wherewithal to put that kind of package today, although its believed GM Brian Burke might be willing to part with the team's first rounder this summer if he could first negotiate a long-term deal with Bouwmeester.

Barring that, if Bouwmeester gets to unrestricted free agent status, you can expect the Leafs to be at the front of the line of teams vying for his services. Interestingly, the Leafs would be well-positioned given that they currently operate almost $10 million below the salary cap. There's a threat the $56.7 million cap could drop significantly after next season, leaving teams with fewer salary committments - like the Leafs - potentially in a position to have far more flexibility over the next two years.

Even if Bouwmeester is traded before the March 4 deadline, he might still become unrestricted July 1st, as was the case with Marian Hossa.

Comments

[Brian]

There is also rumours of Chris Pronger being reunited with Brian Burker. Well imagine this as defence Pronger Schenn Bouwmeester Finger, tough and solid. With a back end like this all the Leafs have to do is improve the forwards and who knows.

[steve conti]

he is what the leafs need, tough, physical defenceman who has a big shot and can move the puck. It is worth a 1st round pick if Burke can pull this off.

[Johnnytaleaf]

Giving up our first rounder to negotiate with a pending unrestricted free agent is not a transaction Burke will be doing I hope.

This type of transaction smells like the Kurvers deal which the devils ended up drafting a guy named Scott Niedermayer with the leafs pick.

[PD]

By all means JayBo, but catch him with $$ in the summer, not our 1st pick.
Can see Burkie getting Pronger too, that would be worth a Kaberle +.
Might as well grab Parros too as a 5.

[skyhawk20002]

Good Lord,fire your agent AND whomever else is advising the kid.stay in the sun,make your gazillions pressure free, and DON`T take a chance on some sports writers and idiot fans ruining your career.6 million a year to play in the sun ? you kidding me ? i remember what Luc Robitaille said about playing in LA.take off your skates,walk out the arena door to the beach with your family and live unharassed in peace.i`m going out to shovel more snow now in -20 degree weather.