Leafs sign Clarke MacArthur to a one-year deal

Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke announced Saturday that the team has signed free-agent winger Clarke MacArthur to a one-year contract.

The 25-year-old native of Lloydminster, Alberta played 81 games between the Buffalo Sabres and Atlanta Thrashers in 2009-10, compiling 16 goals and 19 assists. MacArthur was part of Team Canada’s World Junior team that won a gold medal in 2005 at the tournament in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

The move is the Leafs’ second transaction in as many days. Yesterday afternoon, Toronto acquired defenceman Matt Lashoff from Tampa Bay in exchange for Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati.

Kaberle remains on Leaf roster

As of 12 midnight on Monday, August 16th, Tomas Kaberle is still a Maple Leaf.

The 32-year-old defenceman has been the subject of trade rumours throughout much of his tenure in Toronto, however this summer’s window of opportunity carried a higher sense of urgency as Kaberle is entering the final year of his contract.

A statement released at midnight on the Leafs official website reads as follows:

The hockey club confirms this evening that Tomas Kaberle remains a Leaf. While a number of Clubs made offers to trade for Tomas, none of them reflected Tomas’s value to our team. I understand a period like this is stressful to the player, and we are pleased that there is a resolution, and we can all continue to prepare for the coming season.

A native of Kladno, Czech Republic – who has played each of his 820 career NHL regular season games in a Leafs uniform – Kaberle becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2010-11 season.

During his time in Toronto, Kaberle’s name has been included in aborted trades involving Eric Lindros (then with Philadelphia) and Phil Kessel (then with Boston). In 2008, Kaberle exercised his no-trade clause to nix a deal that would have seen him moved to the Flyers in exchange for Jeff Carter and a first-round draft pick.

Kaberle’s 482 career points place him 11th on the all-time Leafs scoring list. He ranks 6th in team history with 402 assists.

Leafs sign defenceman Brett Lebda

The Maple Leafs announced Wednesday the signing of free agent defenceman Brett Lebda.

Lebda, 28, had one goal and 10 points for the Detroit Red Wings in 2009-10.

During the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, Lebda compiled six assists in 19 games as Detroit captured the Stanley Cup.

The move further adds to speculation that veteran blueliner Tomas Kaberle will be traded for a top-line forward.

Links: SportsNet.ca | Discussion board

TMLfans.ca free agent tracker 2010

Last updated: July 2, 11:15pm

July 2

• Craig Ryan (C) , leaves Tampa Bay, signs with Pittsburgh, 1 year, $0.5 million.
• Matthew Lombardi (C) , leaves Phoenix, signs with Nashville, 3 years, $3.5 million/yr.
• Steve McIntyre (LW), leaves Florida, signs with Edmonton, 1 year, $0.5 million.
• Zenon Konopka (RW), leaves Tampa Bay, signs with NY Islanders
• P.A. Parenteau (C), leaves NY Rangers, signs with NY Islanders, 1 year, $0.6 million.
• Milan Jurcina (D), leaves Washington, signs with NY Islanders, 1 year, $1 million/yr.
• Mark Eaton (D), leaves Pittsburgh, signs with NY Islanders, 2 years, $2.5 million/yr.
• Christopher Higgins (C), leaves Calgary, signs with Florida, 1 year, $1.6 million.
• Cody McCormick (C) , re-signs with Buffalo, 1 year, 0.5 million.
• Jason Strudwick (D) , re-signs with Edmonton
• Pavel Kubina (D) , leaves Atlanta, signs with Tampa Bay , 2 years, $3.85 million/yr.
• Tim Jackman (RW) , leaves NY Islanders, signs with Calgary, 2 years, $0.55 million/yr.
• Raitis Ivanans (RW), leaves Los Angeles, signs with Calgary, 2 years, $0.6 million/yr.

July 1

• Vaclav Prospal (LW), re-signs with NY Rangers, 1 year, $2.1 million.
• John Scott, leaves Minnesota signs with Chicago, 1 year, $1 million.
• Dustin Boyd (C), re-signs with Montreal, 1 year, $0.65 million.
• Eric Nystrom (LW), leaves Calgary, signs with Minnesota, 3 years, $1.4 million/yr.
• Jeremy Reich (LW), leaves NY Islanders, signs with Boston, 1 year.
• Andrew Raycroft (G), leaves Vancouver, signs with Dallas, 2 years, $0.65 million/yr.
• Matt Cullen (C), leaves Ottawa, signs with Minnesota, 3 years, $3.5 million/yr.
• Adam Burish (C), leaves Chicago, signs with Dallas, 2 years, $1.15 million/yr.
• Saku Koivu (C), re-signs with Anaheim, 2 years, $2.5 million/yr.
• Jeff Tambellini (LW) , leaves NY Islanders, signs with Vancouver, 1 year, $0.5 million.
• Dan Hamhuis (D) , leaves Pittsburgh, signs with Vancouver , 6 years, $4.5 million/yr.
• Anton Volchenkov (D) , leaves Ottawa, signs with New Jersey, 6 years, $4.25 million/yr.
• Olli Jokinen (C), leaves NY Rangers, signs with Calgary , 2 years, $3 million/yr.
• Chris Mason (G) (C), leaves St. Louis, signs with Atlanta, 2 years, $1.85 million/yr.
• Kurtis Foster(D) , leaves Tampa Bay, signs with Edmonton, 2 years, $1.8 million/yr.
• Henrik Tallinder (D), leaves Buffalo, signs with New Jersey, 4 years, $3.375 million/yr.
• Curtis Sanford (G), re-signs with Montreal, 1 year, $0.55 million.
• Ray Whitney (RW), leaves Carolina, signs with Phoenix, 2 years, $3 million/yr.
• Toni Lydman (D), leaves Buffalo, signs with Anaheim, 3 years, $3 million/yr.
• Paul Martin (D), leaves New Jersey, signs with Pittsburgh, 5 years, $5 million/yr.
• Derek Boogaard(G) , leaves Minnesota, signs with NY Rangers, 4 years, $1.625 million/yr.
• Dan Ellis (G) , leaves Montreal, signs with Tampa Bay, 2 years, $1.5 million/yr.
• Jody Shelley (C), leaves NY Rangers, signs with Philadelphia, 3 years, $1.1 million/yr.
• Derek Morris(D), re-signs with Phoenix, 4 years, $2.75 million/yr.
• Manny Malhotra (C), leaves San Jose, signs with Vancouver, 3 years, $2.5 million/yr.
• Sean O’Donnell (D) , leaves Los Angeles, signs with Philadelphia, 1 year, $1 million.
• Joel Perrault (C) , leaves Phoenix, signs with Vancouver, 1 year, $0.51 million.
• Antero Niittymaki (G) , leaves Tampa Bay, signs with San Jose, 2 years, $2 million.
• Colby Armstrong (RW) , leaves Atlanta, signs with Toronto, 3 years, $3 million/yr.
• Alex Auld (G) , leaves NY Rangers, signs with Montreal, 1 year, $1 million.
• Zybnek Michalek (D) , leaves Phoenix, signs with Pittsburgh, 5 year, $4 million/yr.
• Braydon Coburn (D), re-signs with Philadelphia, 2 years, $3.2 million/yr.
• Alex Tanguay (RW) , leaves Tampa Bay, signs with Calgary, 1 year, $1.7 million.
• Sergei Gonchar (D) , leaves Pittsburgh, signs with Ottawa, 3 years, $5.5 million/yr.
• Dan Paille (LW) re-signs with Boston, 2 years, $1.075 million/yr.
• Martin Biron (G) , leaves NY Islanders, signs with NY Rangers, 2 years, $0.875 million/yr.

June 30

• Michael Leighton re-signs with Philadelphia, 2 years, $1.55 million/yr.

LEAFS WATCH

Unrestricted free agents

• John Mitchell (C) , re-signs with Toronto, 1 year $0.725 million.

Restricted free agents

• Nikolai Kulemin (LW) , re-signs with Toronto, 2 years, $2.35 million/yr.
• Kyle Rogers
• Matt Jones
• Phil Oreskovic
• Tim Brent

Links: TSN Free Agent Tracker | TMLfans.ca message board

Leafs obtain Kris Versteeg

Brian Burke, president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced a multi-player trade with the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday evening.

The Maple Leafs have obtained right-winger Kris Versteeg and the rights to left-winger Bill Sweatt. In exchange, the Blackhawks will receive forwards Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis.

Versteeg, 24, appeared in 79 regular season games in 2009-10 and recorded 20 goals and 24 assists to place sixth in Blackhawks’ team scoring. Versteeg registered six goals and eight assists in 22 postseason games on route to Chicago’s Stanley Cup win. The Lethbridge, Alberta native was a nominee for the Calder Trophy in 2008-09 as the league’s top rookie (award won by Steve Mason).

Sweatt, 21, was Chicago’s second choice, 38th overall, in the 2007 Entry Draft. He has registered 109 points in 143 career NCAA games (Colorado College).

Link: Discussion boards

Stay tuned to TMLfans.ca for all your trade and free agency coverage on July 1.

Maple Leafs 2010 Entry Draft selections

The following players were selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2010 NHL Entry draft, (listed by round – overall pick).

With thanks to TMLfans.ca member ‘Randall’, for his detailed scouting reports.

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2 – 43. Bradley Ross: Born – Lethbridge AB, Canada… Age – 18… Position – Left Wing… Size – 6’1” / 175… 2009/10 Club – Portland (WHL)… 2009/10 Statistics – 71GM / 27G / 41A / 68PT / 203PM

HockeyDb.com

Scouting report – Combined with 1st round selections Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Johansen to form one of the most dangerous forward lines in the WHL last season… solid skater handled much of the heavy lifting for his talented linemates and did it very well by most accounts… worked hard on his shooting and subsequently tripled his 2008/09 goal total… described by scouts as being “aggressive, disruptive and chippy without being stupid”, so it’s not difficult to see why the Leafs moved up into the 2nd round to grab this Steve Ott clone… also said to be pretty handy with the fists as witnessed by his league leading penalty totals… younger brother of 2007 Phoenix 1st rounder Nick Ross… Projection – First rate “agitator” who might occasionally be able to play on the 2nd line.

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3 – 62. Greg McKegg: Born – St. Thomas ON, Canada… Age – 18… Position – Centre… Size – 6’0” / 190… 2009/10 Club – Erie (OHL)… 2009/10 Statistics – 67GM / 37G / 48A / 85PT / 32PM

HockeyDb.com | HockeysFuture.com

Scouting report – Increased production from 18 to 85 points in his second season in Erie… possesses good size but is not overly aggressive… owns elite scoring and play making skills but needs to work on improving skating speed and agility… must pay more attention to his defensive assignments in order to win ice time at the next level… will need to prove that scoring numbers were not overly inflated by being part of a strong Otter’s power-play… was a member of Canada’s 2010 U-18 team… Projection – 2nd line scoring pivot.

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3 – 79. Sondre Olden: Born – Oslo, Norway… Age – 18… Position – Left Wing… Size – 6’3” / 175… 2009/10 Club – MODO (SEL J20)… 2009/10 Statistics – 32GM / 7G / 20A / 27PT / 22PM

EuroHockey.net

Scouting report – Former Norwegian U18 star who played last season in Sweden… possesses excellent size but will need to add 20 – 30 pounds during the next year or two… fortunately seems to have the frame to do so fairly easily… magnificent skater for a player of his size… has an abundant set of offensive skills, but will need to adapt his game to the smaller North American ice surfaces… that education may start as soon as next season as Olden is said to be coveted by several teams in the upcoming CHL import draft… Projection – Top 6 winger with 2-way ability.

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4 – 116. Petter Granberg: Born – Gallivare, Sweden… Age – 18… Position – Defence… Size – 6’2” / 202… 2009/10 Club – Skelleftea (SEL J20)… 2009/10 Statistics – 40GM / 2G / 7A / 9PT / 39PM

HockeyDb.com | HockeysFuture.com

Scouting report – Expected to graduate to the senior club at Skelleftea in the SEL next season… solid all around defender with projectable size, levelheaded aggressiveness and advanced puck handling skills… represented Sweden at the 2010 U18 tournament and played well… was subsequently ranked as the second best draft eligible Swedish defenceman by Central Scouting… Toronto has had good success in leaving their Swedish defenders in the SEL for 2 or 3 years after drafting them and this is likely to be the plan for Granberg as well… Projection – NHL caliber defenceman… another 2 or 3 years away from joining the Leafs.

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5 – 144. Sam Carrick: Born – Stouffville ON, Canada… Age – 18… Position – Centre… Size – 6’0” / 190… 2009/10 Club – Brampton (OHL)… 2009/10 Statistics – 66GM / 21G / 21A / 42PT / 96PM

HockeyDb.com | Brampton Battalion

Scouting report – Carrick was the second leading scorer on the Battalion last season and will be expected to become a team leader next year… smooth skater who releases his shot quickly and with some accuracy… solid ice vision and play making abilities round out the young pivot’s impressive package of offensive skills… although not overly big, Carrick has a real edge to his game and can be very annoying to play against… he’ll need to add weight and upper body strength in order to continue this practice at the next level… Projection – Developing skilled centreman (with a nasty disposition).

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5 – 146. Daniel Brodin: Born – Stockholm, Sweden… Age – 20… Position – Left Wing… Size – 6’1” / 175… 2009/10 Club – Djurgardens (SEL)… 2009/10 Statistics – 30GM / 2G / 3A / 5PT / 26PM

HockeyDb.com | HockeysFuture.com

Scouting report – Brodin is a mature player, having been passed over in the 2008 and 2009 Entry Drafts… Swedish reports describe Brodin as a talented winger who works extremely hard on every shift… in some ways, Brodin is a very typical Swedish winger in that he skates and shoots with great skill… perhaps not quite so typical in that he enjoys taking the body and does so at every opportunity… Brodin may be destined to play in Toronto (whether with the Leafs or the AHL Marlies) as early as next season… Projection – Depth winger capable of filling several roles.

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7 – 182. Josh Nicholls: Born – Tsawwassen BC, Canada … Age – 18… Position – Right Wing… Size – 6’2” / 175… 2009/10 Club – Saskatoon (WHL)… 2009/10 Statistics – 71GM / 18G / 30A / 48PT / 55PM

HockeyDb.com | WHL.ca

Scouting report – Nicholls has a big frame and projects to be well over 200 lbs when he finally reaches maturity… his skating (like many gangly youngsters) needs considerable work… nevertheless, Nicholls has interesting stick skills and certainly represents an intriguing project for Toronto’s player development staff… in the end, this player’s future will be determined (or limited) by how effectively he can improve his agility as he grows into his body… Projection – 2nd / 3rd line winger… in time.

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