Home Is Where the Heart is, but Duty Calls

So much has happened at the Vancouver Olympics in just three days.

Many of us of a certain vintage or older remember the old Wide World of Sports show and it's telling words, "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." We've seen that already in Vancouver, plus rain, protestors, unthinkable sadness, resolve amidst personal grief, hydraulics malfunctions and, yeah, more rain.

Well, I've "seen" it all from home. I head to B.C. today to take up the cudgel of covering the women's and men's hockey tournaments, but so far I've watched on TV from home, the place where most Canadians view these competitions.

It's the first time in four Olympics the Games have started for me in my living room watching with my family, and it's kind of nice. Great, actually.

It was my son who excitedly reported last night that he thought - wasn't quite sure - that Alex Bilodeau had won a gold medal, and we all rushed to the TV to see if he had it right. We watched Jenn Heil's terrific effort on Saturday night, and the moving, if slightly messed up, opening ceremonies on Friday.

Being here with my family allowed us to conjure up some Olympic memories we'll all remember, and that's special.

The reality, you see, is that while covering Olympic hockey is a privilege and a pleasure, for the most part it means you miss out on all the other parts of the Olympics, from the hills to the curling to the figure skating. While magic is being made in those events, I've usually been in the bowels of an arena or watching a hockey game.

That's no complaint, and I'm well aware many would love a chance to do the job I have. But it's a reality - as colleague Dave Perkins often says, if you're covering the Olympics, they all take place in Omaha, Nebraska - and so it was truly a pleasure to have a couple of days to watch on TV before going to join the party.

I actually have a feel for these Games from afar that I might not yet have if I was actually in Vancouver. Strange, huh?

There's part of me that would gladly sit by the fire and watch the rest of it unfold with the family. But off we go.

Thursday Mail Bag

So before we get started, we've reached a noteworthy plateau.

As of Tuesday, we officially recorded the six millionth hit for The Spin. Now, I can't tell you exactly what that means, but that seems like a big number over the four years we've been churning out blogs and mail bags and all different kinds of e-conversation with you, the readers.

So thanks. Without the feedback - and yes, that includes the nasty notes and the criticisms and the low blows - well, it would just be me yakking away at myself. Well, and my wife. Well, when she listens.

We've expanded the Spin to Twitter, as well, and that stands at 3,500 followers and counting. That's a lot less than some, even some of the people I follow. But it's a lot more than others, and we'll keep trying to build it, right along with this blog.

Now, on to this week's mail bag:

Q: Hey Damien,
What's with Luke Schenn's resurgence? He has been going good for 4-6 weeks now. Will it continue?
Tanome Mchale, Toronto

A: Not sure I'd agree on the 4-6 weeks estimate, but certainly Schenn's play has progressed significantly over the last three weeks. It's like something just clicked, particularly in terms of carrying the puck. His puck patience has improved dramatically, allowing him to make more plays and fewer errors. He's even developing a slapshot and has scored a couple of goals with it. That improvement with the puck has translated into a simpler, yet more aggressive game without it. So while it's been a bumpy road this season, and I certainly was an advocate of sending Schenn to the Marlies to work on his game, it certainly seems that Ron Wilson's program of simply sticking with the kid and getting him to work on his game in practice has worked.

Q: When a bubble team (Boston) can lose 10 straight games and still be right in the middle of the playoff chase I think that proves there is a problem with the NHL point system. Don't you think parity should involve having to win games to be competitive?
Eric T., Toronto

A: I do, but the NHL doesn't. It loves this system because it keeps more teams involved. I really can't stand the three-point game, but I've heard absolute no conversation at either the GM level or at the board of governors to make me think change is in the air anytime soon.

Q: Hey Damien,
Now that Ilya Kovalchuk is a Devil, what do you think he's going to do next season: Sign with the Devils, sign with another NHL team, or sign with a team in the KHL?
Dave Chipotle, Gravenhurst

A: My best guess is he'll sign with another NHL team. For starters, I can't imagine him working out a deal with Jersey. He's going to want to be paid between $8-10 million, and right now Patrick Elias ($6 million) and Martin Brodeur ($5.2 million) are the unofficial ceiling. Brodeur, in particular, took less to help keep the Devs in a position to add players when needed, but not to pay Kovalchuk 40-50 per cent more than his own salary.

Then there's the KHL option. It may be there, and it may be difficult for Kovalchuk to resist. But my guess is the North American lifestyle for his wife and children would be difficult to give up at this point. We'll see on that one.

If he stays, somebody will thrown crazy money at him. Don't know which team, but probably one that has a disappointing spring. It will be fascinating to watch this play out.

Q: Hi Damien,
I've got a quick question. With the Leafs finally getting better goaltending and defense, what is the chance Burke will pick up some forwards? I know we have heard of Chicago and Versteeg being included in Leafs trade rumours but why not pick up Patrick Sharp?
Dan G., Toronto

A: Obviously, Burke is in the market for forwards, and both Versteeg and Sharp would probably interest him. Those rumours are tied to the reality that Chicago, sooner or later, will have to move some money to make their cap situation make sense. And that speculation has been around all season. None of this is new.

Q: Damien, I usually read the scripts of those online chats you have about once a week (good work, by the way). And I've noticed a couple of times recently that at least one person has suggested bringing Mats Sundin back. In all seriousness, before you post your response, what is your "off-line" reaction? Do you simple laugh and shake your head? Or is it more you yelling at the computer "Oh for cryin' out loud, Sundin is done! Get over it!!!"? I know I would probably do the latter.
Cory Schneider, Oakville

A: Well, maybe a little. But I also respect the fact that there are an awful lot of people who loved what Sundin brought to the table, and that not everybody reads every question in every mailbag. That said, Sundin is done. Over. Finito. Which is as it should be. Within a couple of years, they'll be honoring No. 13 at the ACC, and that will be a terrific night.

Q: Hi Damien,
Quick question about no trade/movement clauses: if a player waives his no-trade to move to another team, does the no-trade follow him? Hypothetically, if the Leafs decide they need to move Giguere, can they?
Patrick Gauthier, Ottawa

A: Giguere still has his no-trade. He would have to waive it again.

Q: Hey Damien,
What really became of Paul Kariya? I find even though he is less than 50 points shy of 1,000, his career, which started out so promising, has been a dud based on the promise. There was a time when the idea of getting Kariya as a free agent was captivating but since leaving the Ducks back in '03 at the very young age of 27, his street value tanked. Where is he now? California Golden Seals? I know St Louis, but really who cares.
Glen McMinn, Halifax

A: Well, people who once thought he was maybe the best player on the planet care. He still carries a $6 million tag, but while he actually played pretty well during parts of this season, he doesn't justify that salary any more. Injuries slowed him down, and he just didn't seem the same after he and Teemu Selanne concocted what was actually a smart scheme to play together in Colorado. Bouncing around from team to team can also injure a guy's enthusiasm. All this said, Kariya is a free agent this summer, and if he's willing to take a significant haircut on salary, I think somebody's going to want him. As a second or third line player at a logical salary on a one-year deal, he might still end up being a good bargain for somebody.

The Getzlaf Conundrum

It's not just as easy as figuring out whether Ryan Getzlaf is ready and willing to give it a go.

It's whether it's smart or useful for Team Canada for him to even try.

That's the conundrum that needs to be sorted out over the next few days as the Anaheim centre tries to figure out the extent of his injured ankle and whether it will keep him out of the Vancouver Olympics.

Make no mistake about it, Getzlaf and his wingman Corey Perry are an integral part of Canada's plans. But one of the lessons of Turin was the danger of taking injured or partly injured players.

"I won't be making any rash decisions tonight," said Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman today. "Heck, in two days, he may be up and feeling great. But it could be a tough call."

Yzerman spoke to Getzlaf today, and the Ducks pivot is supposed to have an MRI on the ankle later today in California.

Interestingly, Yzerman played in the 2002 Olympics despite a knee that was injured going in and got progressively worse over the course of the tournament.

"I remember talking to Wayne (Gretzky) and telling him after I played two games before the Olympics that I felt fine," said Yzerman. "Two games into the tournament I thought, Oh my God, what did I do?"

Team Canada has until late Sunday night to make a decision on Getzlaf. The leading candidates to replace him are likely Philadelphia forward Jeff Carter and Tampa Bay sophomore Steven Stamkos.

Yzerman said with Dan Boyle now back in the San Jose lineup, there are no other Team Canada injury concerns as of today.

Live hockey Q&A with Damien Cox

Damien Cox held a live Q&A earlier today, answering questions about all things hockey.

Arms race now on after Kovalchuk deal

The Atlanta Thrashers did not get value for Ilya Kovalchuk. Not even close.

Then again, getting equal value was nearly an impossible task for Atlanta GM Don Waddell given that Kovalchuk was set to be an unrestricted free agent. So just as was the case with Marian Hossa two years ago, Waddell did the best he could.

And therein lies the lesson. Again.

NHL teams don't seem to want to absorb the concept that if you go into a season with a star player facing unrestricted free agency, chances are that player isn't going to sign a new contract. Why would he? Having gone that far, at that point it just makes sense to test the market.

It was that way last season with the Florida Panthers and Jay Bouwmeester, and the Panthers took an even bigger bath than the Thrashers, losing Bouwmeester to free agency with almost no return.

And it will be that way the next time a marquee talent goes into the final year of his contract.
You might get something. But never enough.

Atlanta got bits and pieces, a decent prospect in Patrice Cormier, a useful defenceman in Johnny Oduya, a possible scorer in Niclas Bergfors and a first-round pick.

But nothing special. And while New Jersey, Kovalchuk's new home, is almost certainly looking at this as a rental situation - no way would the Devils pay Kovalchuk twice Marty Brodeur's salary of $5.2 million - the Devils can live with giving up those assets for less than one third of the regular season and the playoffs.

No problem.

If Atlanta wanted more for Kovalchuk, they had to trade him last season, or at the very least, last summer.

Once this season began, all the leverage went to the player and the Thrashers essentially committed themselves to losing their best player for not much in return.

And the Devils were the beneficiary.

It will be interesting to see how the other big players in the Eastern Conference - Washington, Pittsburgh, etc. - respond to Jersey's bold move. The arms race is surely now on, but there may not be players available that can approximate Kovalchuk's possible impact with the Devils.

Does it now make the Devils favourites in the east over the Caps and Pens? No. But it gives the Devils two big guns up front in Kovalchuk and Zach Parise, three if Patrick Elias can bounce back from injury and finish the season strongly.

Oduya was a very useful guy on the back end, meanwhile, so in the same vein, the ability of Paul Martin to return after the Olympics at a high level will play a major role in how deep Jersey can go.

The best news is that despite the heaviest workload in hockey, goalie Martin Brodeur isn't feeling the least bit tired.

"I feel the best I've felt in. . .well. . .the best I've felt ever," said Brodeur this week, crediting his two-year-old committment to a new nutrition and conditioning program.

Thursday Mail Bag

Wild week in the Leaf kingdom, huh? If this is what you were hoping for when Brian Burke came to town, well, you've got it.

Hard to say at this point whether J.S. Giguere and/or Dion Phaneuf will flourish in this market. But the Leafs went from having one high profile player - Phil Kessel - to having three in a matter of days. Giguere is a Stanley Cup winner and Conn Smythe Trophy winner. If he played in Boston, Philly, Detroit, Chicago or Montreal, he'd be an even bigger name.

And Phaneuf? He's like a big cartoon character, minus a cuddly personality. He demands to be noticed, and he usually is, for better or worse.

I disagree, however, with the sentiment that Phaneuf and Kessel are now the foundation. To me, they're the icing, the flashy elements. The chore for Burke is now to surround them with reliable, competitive and reliable teammates willing to play a certain style of hockey.

So the process continues. Now on to this week's mail bag:

Q: Hi Damien,
Quick question about no trade/movement clauses: if a player waives his no-trade to move to another team, does the no-trade follow him? Hypothetically, if the Leafs decide they need to move Giguere, can they?
Thanks!
Patrick Gauthier, Ottawa

A: Absolutely, the no-trade clause follows them. Interestingly, it was Brian Burke - who calls no trades "coach killers" - who gave that clause to Giguere. It was done because of the health issues of Giguere's child, who needed to stay close to the Anaheim area at the time. Presumably, any issues can now be dealt with here in Toronto.

Q: Hey Damien,
Anybody ever think of turning Kaberle into a centre? Leafs now have lots of defense and few centres. It work for Red Kelly why not give it a try.
Thanks.
Brian Moxley, Kingston

A: I've heard this one a thousand times from a thousand readers, each believing it's a unique idea. That's not to say it isn't a good one in theory. But it's not going to happen. And again, as I say to Leaf fans, this is NOT a team with an abundance of defencemen. This is a team that needs to get more.

Q: Hi Damien,
With the big deals this week and Burke's comments that he's still "open for business" , I'm wondering if you think more deals like this one (where the Leafs get PLAYERS instead of PICKS) could be in the works? Particularly I've heard a rumour of Chris Versteeg coming from Chicago for Ponikorovsky and Hanson (or Stalberg). Do you think we should expect more warm bodies coming back to the Leafs?
Bradley Meldrew, Toronto

A: I think what you should probably expect, Bradley, is an avalanche of rumours over the next month, most of which will not be true. Did anybody have the scoop on Phaneuf coming to Toronto? For many financial and logistical reasons, teams are much better at concealing their intentions these days than was the case even 10 years ago. If you were to keep track of all the speculation that comes from all the insiders out there, I bet you'd find less than 3 per cent ended up having any basis in fact.

That said, it's been long suggested the Hawks need to move salary, the Leafs have long been talking with Chicago and Versteeg is a name that always comes up.

Q: Hey Damien,

With the recent acquisition of Dion Phaneuf, I like many others have been reminded of another blockbuster trade with the Flames that brought Doug Gilmour to the Leafs. I have been thinking about why that trade was ever made from Calgary's point of view. As I was only 9 years old at the time, I wasn't aware of anything that might have occurred off the ice. Were there issues that made Gilmour someone that had to be moved? Did the Flames think that Gary Leeman was going to score 50 goals again? I know Gilmour wasn't yet the superstar that he would become in Toronto but he was still far and away the best player in that trade. I guess my question is, in all seriousness, what were the Flames thinking back then?
Andrew Cacciatore, Toronto

A: Pretty simple. They were thinking they were getting rid of some contractual headaches - Gilmour, Jamie Macoun - and that in Gary Leeman they were acquiring a bona fide 50-goal sniper. This was a Calgary team that was still trying to win championships and had made some bold deals before, including trading away Brett Hull. But Doug Risebrough was a brash, youthful GM, and he got caught trading with an experienced man in Cliff Fletcher who knew all the players involved better.

Q: Hi Damien,

I was wondering what the status of Chris DiDomenico is. I know he broke his femur about a year ago and was just wondering when we can expect to see him in a Marlie, and ultimately Leafs uniform. He is a prospect that seems very interesting and I think could find a home in the NHL.
Nick Heersink, Bailieboro, Ont.

A: The process of recovering from a broken femur is ongoing. DiDomenico has been working for weeks on skating and building up strength in his leg. There is still hope, I believe, that he will join his QMJHL team for the final weeks of the season.

Q: Damien,

As a former union member but now a senior manager I was considering that the disparity between what the average player salary is and what the star player is getting must be having an affect on the game. One, it limits the amount of skilled players with the cap but two, there must be resentment from the guys on the bottom. It would surely bother me if I was doing a good job in helping the Crosby's of the world succeed and yet receiving 1/10 of what their making. Can't imagine this hasn't come up in the Players Association, mind you we know it is in disarray.

One other point as a senior manager I know that you can't succeed by embarrassing or calling out your workers. I find Ron Wilson's tactic's wrong and unsuccessful, no one wants to work for someone like that, it's never worked for me. This guy has to go.
John Madill, Toronto

A: Well John, your first concern is as old as the hills, and it applies to sports other than hockey. Like how the lower paid offensive lineup has to bash his head every week to protect the $10 million quarterback. Just part of pro sports, always has been, it's just the gap is greater than ever and growing.

Re Wilson, I hear this a lot, but the fact is, only on rare occasions has he publicly called a player out. I don't think he does it any more than many other coaches, but in Toronto, every word a coach says gets magnified.

Q: Is Carl Gunnarrson a real NHL defenceman, or is he playing only because he's better than the alternatives? If he's for real, what's his potential? He certainly seems calm and steady. Will Jeff Finger play only if there's a string of injuries, and if not, will Burke send him to the AHL to get him off the cap? And is it safe to assume Frogren was a mistake?
Nick Martin, Winnipeg

A: Frogren was a mistake. Finger is just a very expensive depth player now and Gunnarson, well, let's wait until he's played a full season in the league. He's smooth, mobile and plays a heads up game. But he's still just past the prospect stage. He's got a chance, though.

Q: Hi Damien, thanks for some great columns and insight. I saw a twitter post from Mark Cuban questioning how only 4 NHL teams could have losing records. I checked it out and it is true! Obviously it has to do with the ridiculous 3rd point awarded in OT but what does this say to anyone looking for real competition? Isn't having so few losing records a bit silly?
Matthew Binks, Sudbury

A: Yup. I think it is. But the NHL believes this keeps more teams in the mix for longer, and it's hard to argue with that.

Q: Hi, Damien. Back in my day (born 1946) if anyone took more than 2 steps (strides) and hit an opponent it was considered charging. Now players go the full length or width or the ice to hit an opponent and it isn't called unless it is a head shot (sometimes), hit from behind (sometimes) or an elbow (sometimes). If the 2 step rule was implemented the severity of all contact including head shots would be reduced immensely. Your thoughts please.
Jim Markham, Hudson, Que.

A: I don't necessarily want to see the severity of all contact reduced. Just tell guys they can't hit to the head or the penalties are severe. This players are big enough, strong enough and well enough protected that they can handle the other hits.

Q: Hey Damien,

I have a few questions, please feel free to touch on one or all three regarding the big trades:

1. Does it appear to you that the Leafs are allowed to spend as much as needed and are very willing to pay extra salary to save cap space (traded Blake $4M Cap Hit, $3M salary and Giguere $1 M higher salary than cap hit I believe). In some ways this is buying cap space.

2. With the above said, does it appear that next summer (2011) is when the Leafs are gong to sign a big UFA, at that point they only have three big contracts in Phaneuf, Komisarek, and Kessel.

3. How happy are sports retailers in TO (and across Ontario) with the chance to sell a new Leaf jersey with number 3 and Phaneuf on the back. This trade seems like a million dollar deal in memorabilia for a sadly declining market. I know this was primarily a hockey trade (with and added side benefit), but when does the marketing business enter into this or does it ever in a market like TO?
Joe Akey, Ottawa

A: This is gonna be a full-time gig just dealing with Joe's active mind!

Okay, to the first question, I think you're asking whether the Leafs are willing to spend to the max on payroll even if it means burying a few dollars. I think the answer is yes, although we really haven't seen it. Right now, like a lot of teams, they're just walking the cap tightrope.

To the second question, too much can happen between now and then. Also, there's no guarantee that a big-name UFA who interests the Leafs will be available in '11. Look at this summer. Other than Kovalchuk, that kind of player just isn't out there. But they do seem to want to build in salary flexibility to make it possible at any point to add elite players if they become available.

And third, I don't think the Leafs have to worry about jersey sales when they make trades or they would never have let Darcy Tucker go. That said, this is the business of hockey, and it never hurts for a big market team like Toronto to have high profile players. The problem with the cap system, in my mind, is that it doesn't allow the big markets to be the Yankees, to build powerhouse names with all-star players. So its one or two big names per club.

Komisarek Gone

A tough blow to end a tough first season in Toronto.

The Maple Leafs have announced defenceman Mike Komisarek will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, ending his dreams of playing in the Vancouver Olympics, as well.

Komisarek was signed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent last summer and has struggled through a difficult year, including injuries and struggles with consistency and puck errors. 

Komisarek, 28, has played in only 34 games and has been out since Jan. 2.

The loss of Komisarek probably makes it less likely the Leafs will try to move either Tomas Kaberle or Grant Garnet Exelby before the deadine. Exelby has demanded a trade, while Kaberle has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to approve any deal.

Komisarek is the second veteran Leaf defenceman to be lost for the year. Mike Van Ryn didn't even play a game before being forced to undergo knee surgery. He's an unrestricted free agent in July and his future in Toronto is at best cloudy.

Big Hockey News Day

Stunning news on two NHL fronts.

First, the Columbus Blue Jackets have in the last few hours fired head coach Ken Hitchcock and replaced him with assistant coach Claude Noel. After making the playoffs last season, the Jackets are 14th in the Western Conference, and Hitchcock's status has been in question for weeks.

Still, it's a shocker, particularly with Hitchcock set to be one of Team Canada's coaches at the upcoming Vancouver Olympics under head coach Mike Babcock. Amazingly, it's the second time this has happened to Hitchcock in an Olympic year when he was set to coach for Canada. The Dallas Stars fired him in late January, 2002, and he went on to win a gold medal as an assistant under Pat Quinn.

Meanwhile, reports from RDS and TSN today confirm Atlanta GM Don Waddell has told star winger Ilya Kovalchuk to expect a trade, sooner as opposed to later.

Let the auction begin.

If the price for Phil Kessel was two firsts and a second, what could it be for Kovalchuk, a 26-year-old forward with 328 career goals in eight seasons?

The difference is, of course, that Kovalchuk is an unrestricted free agent in July, so this could just be a rental situation, with the KHL possibly looming in the background with — allegedly — a $15 milion-a-year bid.

Kovalchuk's never had much team success in Atlanta, but he did score the gold medal winning goal for Russian the Quebec City world championships, and he's a proven, money-in-the-bank 40- to 50-goal man, and a big power forward to boot.

The Leafs, in case you're wondering, won't be in this one. Don't have the goods to make a deal even if they wanted to.

Boston, L.A., Chicago and Philly, among others, are all lining up with a bid, but the price will be absolutely fascinating. Calgary, meanwhiile, could be in the mix, and a hard pitch for Kovalchuk would make the emphasis on quantity over quality in two recent deals by Darryl Sutter make sense.

The best fit? Probably L.A., where the Kings have the players and the payroll flexibiity. But is this the right time for that team to make this move when they probably can neither win the Cup nor guarantee Kovalchuk will play for them beyond this season.

What about the Hawks? Might they be worried enough about Patrick Kane's maturity to do a Kane-for-Kovalchuk swap just as the Thrashers and Senators once combined on a Dany Heatley-for-Marian Hossa deal?

This story is going to heat up in a hurry.

Hockey Q&A with Damien Cox

Damien Cox held a live Q&A at noon Monday, answering readers' questions about all things hockey -- especially the Leafs trade.

Cleaning House

Got a question about the Leaf trade? Ask Damien Cox during a live Q&A about all things hockey, Monday at noon.

Brian Burke wanted to get things done well in advance of the "final five minutes before the store closes" at the NHL trading deadline on March 3rd.

For better or worse, he did that with two multi-player trades on Sunday. The heavy lifting has been done, with six players going out and four new players coming, only one of whom, goalie J.S. Giguere, is older than 26 years of age.

(And how fortuitous for the sad-sack Argos, whose latest fiasco -- a botched attempt to lowball Montreal assistant Scott Milanovich -- will go mostly unnoticed because of the Leafs busy day.)

All the ex-Toronto players sent packing were Leafs before Burke arrived, and two were of European heritage in Niklas Hagman and goalie Vesa Toskala.

Understand, Burke wasn't kidding when he vowed to become a younger, more physical and more North American team. It may not work, and the success of the Detroit Red Wings might suggest this isn't the way to go, but while many like to blast the Leaf GM as a blowhard, he clearly means what he says when it comes to the kind of team he wants to have.

Only about 10 players, including six Euros, remain from pre-Burke times, and that's if you include players drafted before the Truculent One arrived, like Viktor Stalberg and Carl Gunnarson.

Expect both numbers to be decreased in the coming weeks.

Alexei Ponikarovsky, a 29-year-old Ukrainian drafted all the way back in 1998, is as good as gone. Lee Stempniak sure won't be back, and Jeff Finger might have gone in the Giguere deal except the Ducks probably liked the $3 million in actual salary owed Jason Blake next season -- his cap number is $4 million -- a little better. 

By the way, a little note here on Burke's patience. He's seen as impetuous, but his buddy, Ducks GM Bob Murray, has been trying to get him to take Giguere all season. Giguere's agent, too. But Burke wouldn't take a goalie he otherwise admired until Anaheim agreed to take serious dollars back in the form of Blake and goalie Vesa Toskala.

That move could have been made any time over the past months with the Leafs in need of goaltending help. But Burke waited Murray out.

Nik Kulemin may or may not remain a Leaf depending on his salary demands. Mikhail Grabovski is feisty enough, possibly, to fit in Burke's plans, and the future of Tomas Kaberle and his no-trade clause is murky at best.

Again, the Leafs remain second from last and not everyone likes Burke's moves. The grumbling over the Phil Kessel swap goes on daily. Phaneuf may or may not be a star. What Burke says is about finding competitive players is viewed by others as an anti-Euro bias.

But the Leafs and their fans believed Burke represented revolutionary change when he arrived in late November, 2008. That has been the case.

And now, with two big moves done yesterday, it will be easier to make smaller ones by the deadline.