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It is not exactly a stretch to believe that the Maple Leafs have a very good chance of signing University of Wisconsin’s Justin Schultz. Toronto GM Brian Burke tried in vain to acquire him back in February 2011, but his former employers in Anaheim believed that the young defenseman projected to be a better pro than fellow Badger and close friend Jake Gardiner. The Ducks have reached a crossro...

This is the final article in a series looking at the Toronto Maple Leafs organizational depth by position. Thus far I have completed my review of goalies, defensemen, centermen, and left wingers, which leaves us with right wingers to finish things up. As I stated in my previous articles, most forwards can play multiple positions and often do throughout a season. I will do my best to categorize players as centers, left wingers or right wingers. For example, I am including Nazem Kadri in the right winger evaluation. Although Kadri plays center with the AHL Toronto Marlies, he has almost exclusively been a right winger in his stints with the Maple Leafs, which suggests that he will be a winger at the NHL level. Right Wingers on 2011-12 roster: Phil Kessel Clarke McArthur Matt Frattin Colby Armstrong Continue reading "Toronto Maple Leafs Organizational Depth Chart – Right Wing"

Meet Rex Ryan, Devils fan. When the puck dropped to begin the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center, Rex was in attendance to play the part of big-time coach who supports the other professional sports teams in the area. Having grown up in Toronto, Ryan likely knows a thing or two about hockey. However, he has mentioned being a Maple Leafs fan before. That doesn’t mean he’s not a Devils fan or can’t support the local team. I’m sure the fans of New York and New Jersey appreciated it, and from the look of it Rex seemed genuine in his support. Unlike that other time when he wore that jersey and, well, you know.

Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager Brian Burke told TVA Sports that he has not had serious discussions with the Vancouver Canucks about acquiring goalie Roberto Luongo. There has not been significant discussion (with the Canucks) about that player. That doesn’t mean Burke won’t end up doing so with Canucks general manager Mike Gillis. David Nonis, the Leafs’ senior vice president of hockey operations, said during an interview on the Fan 590 that the club will explore the trade market to look for a goalie. From a Leafs standpoint, we need to make sure that we backfill and have some depth there so that we have some quality goaltenders to pick from. Yes, we’ll look at (unrestricted free agency), we’ll probably jump in for a couple pieces, but overall we’re going to approach the trade market as a primary source of improvement. As Sportsnet’s Luke Fox points out, reports in April suggested that the Leafs are on a short...

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, It didn’t begin or end the way it was supposed to, but most of the time Red Kelly loved being the first coach of the Los Angeles Kings—loved his first coaching job, loved the team, hated the travel, and hated that his wife couldn’t stand living in Los Angeles…. “Yeah, I’m cheering for them,” said Kelly, 84 and in pretty good health “for an old guy.” “When you’re there at the beginning, you have a feel for it. I’d like them to win. But I think they’re in tough against the (New Jersey) Devils.” There were still months to go in Kelly’s last NHL season as a player—months before the Maple Leafs would win their final Stanley Cup—when the telephone rang at his home. It was Larry Regan, the general manager of the brand new Kings franchise, on the line. “How would you like to be the first coach of the Kings?” Regan asked. read on

The Toronto Marlies got some bad news today when they learned that former Fighting Sioux forward Matt Frattin has suffered a knee injury and will need surgery. That's a big loss for the Marlies because Frattin is tied for the lead in scoring for the Toronto Marlies with (10g-3a-13 pts). Frattin is a restricted free agent and will need to be signed in the off-season. Lance Hornby,Toronto Sun --- Winger Matt Frattin, who was a force physically and on the scoresheet, will be lost for the rest of the American Hockey League playoffs with a knee injury that will require surgery. Frattin, who has a league post-season best 10 goals and shares the team lead with 13 points, was hurt in Game 5 of the Western Final in a bold play to score an empty netter to eliminate the Oklahoma City Barons. Frattin crashed into the net in a race for the puck. Related articles Frattin Scores two as Marlies win Frattin's goal against OKC Marlies injury situation Marlies move on to the Calder Cup finals