Rumours and Decisions

So should the Maple Leafs have been the team that ended up with Wojtek Wolski?

Well, it's pretty clear they had their shot before the former first rounder was peddled by Phoenix to the New York Rangers on Monday for 32-year-old defenceman Michal Roszival.

It was about a month ago that Coyotes GM Don Maloney inquired about Leaf defenceman Francois Beauchemin, just before GM Brian Burke enforced his usual Christmas trading freeze 10 days in advance of the NHL's freeze. Maloney asked about Roszival at the same time, and given the similarities between Beauchemin and Roszival, it stands to reason that Wolski was the property dangled in front of the Rangers and Leafs.

While enticing in some ways after a 23-goal season last year, Wolski is an enigmatic forward who comes with an onerous $3.8 million cap hit. That's the same as Beauchemin, but about $1.2 million less than Roszival.

So the Rangers received Wolski and a valuable $1.2 million in cap relief. The Leafs, it's clear would have then wanted Wolski plus something (a draft pick) for Beauchemin, and that's undoubtedly where the possible transaction stalled. The Coyotes then turned to Roszival, a victim of the MSG boo-birds, knowing that New York would be interested in acquiring an offensive player after losing Alexander Frolov to a season-ending knee injury.

Maybe Wolski, who played junior for the Brampton Battalion, would have been a nice fit for the Leafs, the young centre the team was looking for. But he's no sure bet, and clearly the Leafs either felt they could hold out for a better offer for Beauchemin, or continue to believe he's an invaluable veteran presence in the dressing room alongside young captain Dion Phaneuf.

Last night in Los Angeles, Beauchemin was the choice of Leaf coach Ron Wilson to be on the ice in the final seconds defending a 3-2 lead. Beauchemin made a great play standing at the blueline with less than 20 seconds left, but it was the outstanding defensive work of Luke Schenn that really stood out as the third-year blueliner continues to show his maturity.

Schenn was on the ice for the final 1:42 of play to kill a Phaneuf slashing minor. James Reimer, meanwhile, picked up another win and fending off a hard Kings charge in the final minutes. The Leafs could be facing a roster decision this week if J.S. Giguere is ready to go, but at this point, it would be hard to demote Reimer given how well he has played.

Reimer, along with Marlie callups Darryl Boyce and Joey Crabb, have been significant contributors of late for the Leafs, who won their third straight. Boyce scored the opening goal of the night for the Leafs off a pretty one-on-one rush, while Crabb set up Phil Kessel for the second Leaf goal.

It was a gritty Leaf effort in the 41st game of the season, bringing the club to the official half-way point of the season having accumulated 38 points. The win moved the youthful Leafs past slumping Ottawa into 12th spot in the Eastern Conference.

 

 

 

Comments

[Kirk]

Nothing really here in the article that is a rumour, well OK the closeness of the Beauchemin deal was interesting. But Damien, you convinced me that the Leafs DO have some assets on hand and the cupboard is not bare. The question to you is this: "Of the assets in the cupboard, which ones do you actually see getting more than a look-see and/or possible collateral damage in a trade package? I would be interested in your thoughts.

[80s Leafs]

I'm surprised the Coyotes were the team expected to give up a player PLUS a pick in this case, had it been the Leafs they dealt with. Wolski would have been a great addition. As for the Marlie callups, it'll be deja vu all over again, Yogi, when Giguere bumps Reimer, and whoever else is hurt bumps Boyce and Crabb. Shades of the 02 playoffs, when the useful, hard-working callups getting the job done get sent back down and the team settles back into the mediocrity rut.

[Pete]

I seriously doubt that Beauchemin would have included PHX on his list of teams he would accept a trade to. With his limited NTC you would think he would pick winners or a team that knows what city it will be in next year

[snacker]

Hold on to Beauchemin for what? Getting Wolski would have been highway robbery for the Leafs - he's still young and can score and plays centre - 3 things this Leafs team needs...Beauchemin isn't going to help this team do anything in the next few years...Burke has lost his mind on this one if they actually had a chance to pick up this kid.

[Jim]

Good post. But Wolski isn't even a centre, he's a left winger that the Coyotes were desperately trying to transform into a centre. The Leafs are probably looking for their future #1 pivot to actually be a centreman.

[Arthur]

Why on earth would we want Wolski? He is 24. It's only a few short seasons until he is a UFA, and he is NOT a consistent offensive producer. With the exception of last year, he has dropped off in points every season since his first full season. His projection for this season falls far short of last season. Maybe he can help now, maybe next season, but beyond that? Go for someone younger who will be with the team longer. I'd rather have an 19 year old prospect who hasn't played a single NHL game, then a 24 year old who hasn't done much in the NHL in his first five years. Even if the prospect is a bust, Wolski in comparison is just too short term an answer (unless he would be willing to sign for less when his contract is renewed, and that almost never happens).

[Matt B]

Damien: Maybe in a future post you could outline which players around the league could be available. This trade made me wonder how long the window will remain open for the Leafs to make a serious pitch (using Beauchimin as bait) for a good centre/forward.

[KWood19]

So, had the leafs ended up trading Beauchamin for Wolski and a draft pick, who would you have played Wolski with? It doesn't look like he's been playing any better than Bozak to me, and clearly the Grab-Kuli-Macarthur unit was a nice surprise this season that shouldn't be split up. so, would Wolski have fit into a third line role, and would that have really been the best for his player development?

[Simmer]

I see Wolski as a good third line centre, possibly second line centre if he lives up to his potential. Perhaps Burke sees a better future second line centre in Grabbo (and with his play this year, who can blame him). I'm glad the move wasn't made, I like Wolski, but I'm not sure he'd be our best fit in the current situation.

[bitterleaffan]

Thank goodness Burke did not pick up Wolski. Why would two GM's give up on a promising young goal scorer with size. Does this sound too good to be true?

Yes it does. Wolski will most likely be recharged with a change in scenery and then fade back into the invisible player he has become.

No more dead weight for the Leafs please!

[Awkward Moment]

The financial aspect of the transaction was also very important for Phoenix:
As you mentioned, New York gets 1.2m of cap relief but actual salary tells a different picture. This season, their salary are similar (4.0 vs 3.6) but next season, Rozsival will make only 3m while Wolski will make 4m.

Not only is Phoenix saving real dollars but they also will be counting a 5.0m cap hit while only paying 3 to the player.

Those considerations are important for a small market team with worries with the cap floor and be able to publicly say they are spending cash

[Chris]

I'll reserve judgement until after the trade deadline. Who knows what Burke has on the back burner. If passing on Wolski means a better return at the deadline then I'm fine with it. I think it says something about a player when he is traded twice within a year and he's apparently got so much potential. I'm wary of any player who is given up on like that.