Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake

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November 5

Toronto Sun

"Come to Maple Leafs practice today and you might see Rickard Wallin, Wayne Primeau or even Darryl Sittler centring Phil Kessel. That seems to be the coach Ron Wilson's state of mind about trying new people with the talented right winger, whose career 10-shot night in Tuesday's impressive debut opens up a world of possibilities for the goal-starved club. A day after saying he'd be patient with Matt Stajan in the role, giving he and Kessel some time to create sparks, Wilson put John Mitchell with Kessel and left winger Jason Blake. Wilson saw something in the closing minutes when Mitchell and Kessel were paired. "I like the way Mitchy played last night ... his speed matches up," Wilson ..."

Habs sniper Cammalleri could have been a Leaf

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October 31

Toronto Star

"Mike Cammalleri was almost a Maple Leaf. Twice. The mere thought of the first time Cammalleri slipped through Leaf fingers makes the Richmond Hill native – who grew up a Leaf fan – chuckle. "Aki Berg," Cammalleri said over the phone from Chicago where the Habs played Friday night. The Leafs traded a second-round pick in 2001 to the Los Angeles Kings for Berg, a middling defenceman at best. With the pick, the Kings chose Cammalleri, a 5-foot-9 centre who emerged as a point-a-game player. "It said on the draft board, `L.A. from Toronto,'" Cammalleri recalled. "It was just the draft, so it's not like I was ever (Toronto) property, but obviously there was a lot that appealed to me about ..."

No Kessel tonight, but Tlusty is pumped

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October 30

Toronto Sun

"While the Maple Leafs wait for their most talented player to make his Toronto debut, Jiri Tlusty will have to do. There were rumours during the morning at HSBC Arena that Phil Kessel wanted to play against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, but Leafs coach Ron Wilson shot those down. "There is no truth to that," Wilson said. "I don't know where rumblings like that would come from." The plan remains for Kessel to get into the lineup next week, likely at home on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kessel is almost recovered from off-season surgery on his left shoulder. Versus the Sabres, Tlusty will skate on a line with centre Matt Stajan and winger Lee Stempniak. The Leafs hope Tlusty ..."

Leafs' Kessel could play Tuesday against Tampa

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October 30

Toronto Sun

"The Maple Leafs could get a large offensive boost on Tuesday night. Phil Kessel is almost done recovering from shoulder surgery and could make his Leafs debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Air Canada Centre. "(There's) a good chance of it, yeah," Leafs coach Ron Wilson said on Thursday afternoon after the Leafs practised at a suburban Buffalo arena. Kessel didn't say much as he was hustled to the team bus by a Leafs staff member, but acknowledged he has been cleared for physical play in practice. As for suiting up versus Tampa, the 22-year-old took a wait-and-see approach. "It's a few days away," Kessel said. "I'll see how it feels. I don't know yet.""

Leaf prospect ditches college for OHL

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October 22

Toronto Star

"Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Kenny Ryan knows all about the pains of sibling rivalry. Learning to play hockey as the youngest of three boys, he's had the bumps, bruises and blood stains to prove it. "I was thrown around the ice," said Ryan of skating on the backyard rink with older brothers Ross and Charlie. "I was the one with the bloody nose from them two coming after me. They'd go out and push me around.""

Monster works out in full equipment

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October 20

Toronto Sun

"The sight of Jonas Gustavsson in full equipment stopping pucks had to create some positive vibes for the Maple Leafs yesterday at the MasterCard Centre. The show lasted only until the rest of the team went on the ice and Gustavsson and his sore groin departed. But the Leafs are cautiously optimistic that "The Monster" will be able to come off injured reserve either Monday in Anaheim or a week tomorrow in Dallas. "You never know with groins," Gustavsson said. "I'm taking it one day at a time. I took some shots today (for the first time since he went on IR almost two weeks ago). Maybe I will go harder in practice later in the week." Gustavsson's NHL baptism took priority for the Leafs ..."

Leafs should go after Shanahan

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October 19

Toronto Star

columnist Damien Cox

"If the Maple Leafs are smart, they might want to get to Brendan Shanahan before the NHL Players' Association does. Could Shanahan fix all that ails the Leafs? No, not even close, unless he's got a mask and some pads lying around his garage that he knows how to use."

Injured Leaf Kessel making progress

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October 17

Toronto Star

"Phil Kessel playing in a game by Nov. 7? That was a theory floating around Leafs practice on Friday. Judging from the way Kessel was flying around the ice, it didn't seem all that far-fetched. "Yeah, I'm thinking about when I'll play, I have (a date) in my mind," Kessel said. The Leafs, off to one of the worst starts in club history, are anxious after the announcement Friday that Mike Van Ryn is done for the year. The popular defenceman will undergo a major surgery on his left knee Oct.22, likely putting an end to his season."

Van Ryn out for season

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October 16

Toronto Sun

"Now that Mike Van Ryn's season is officially over, the hard-luck defenceman hopes to be able to salvage his NHL career. Van Ryn said today that he will go under the knife next week at the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic in his home town of London, Ont. to have osteotomy surgery on his left knee. In the final year of his contract with the Leafs, Van Ryn will have to have a lengthy rehab of at least six months before he even can consider a comeback. "You are hoping that a team will give you a shot, but that's the tough part of the decision, not knowing the future," Van Ryn said this morning as his teammates practised behind him at the Mastercard Centre for Hockey Excellence. "I ..."

Burke won't wait forever for shake-up

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October 15

Toronto Star

"It's going to take more than this six-game slide for GM Brian Burke to worry about his Maple Leafs, but he's not going to wait forever. "In my mind I see some evolution occurring, some improvement, despite our results," Burke said Wednesday. "I think the players know how serious I am about winning. I think they know from the moves that have been made that we don't intend to wait forever. "I don't think that needs to be restated. If you're a player in the dressing room and you haven't figured that out in Toronto, you're not paying attention.""

Sore groin sidelines Monster

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October 8

Toronto Star

"Leafs rookie goalie Jonas Gustavsson missed practice on Wednesday with a sore groin while rookie winger Viktor Stalberg sat out with a suspected concussion. "He's got a bit of a tight groin now, which he's had for a couple of weeks," coach Ron Wilson said of the goalie. "With this being his first action, we just wanted to shut him down today." Gustavsson is expected back on the ice Thursday, but Stalberg might miss Saturday's game. He is believed to have suffered a concussion on Tuesday, taking a hit from Ottawa's Anton Volchenkov."

Leafs' loose lips sink skip, while Burke is warned

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October 8

Toronto Star

"The Maple Leafs are a .500 team – at least when it comes to battling allegations of tampering levelled by the Vancouver Canucks. The NHL weighed in on the battle between the warring front offices – ordering them both to be quiet – while fining the Leafs for one incident and letting them off the hook for another. Leafs GM Brian Burke escaped with just a warning for his comments broadcast in a Leafs TV documentary that the Canucks were shopping defenceman Kevin Bieksa and forward Alex Burrows at the NHL draft."

Monster loose tonight

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October 6

Toronto Sun

"Ron Wilson has made his Monster decision. The Maple Leafs coach will give Jonas (The Monster) Gustavsson his first NHL start tonight against the Ottawa Senators, ending 48 hours of rampant speculation about his faith in Vesa Toskala to hold the No. 1 goaltending job beyond the first two games. "I'm feeling a little bit of everything," Gustavsson said this morning after preceding Toskala off the ice, signalling he will be the starter. "I get a chance to start tonight and I'm thankful for that. Anything can happen.""

Tradition says it's Gustavsson tonight

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October 6

Toronto Star

"Swedish rookie goaltender Jonas Gustavsson came off the ice at Air Canada Centre ahead of Vesa Toskala after the warm-up skate - almost a sure sign that he'll get the nod vs. the Ottawa Senators. The mystery of who will start in net for the Maple Leafs Tuesday night appeared to be solved during the team's morning practice."

Wilson has goalie decision to make

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October 5

Toronto Sun

"There were no emergency public address alert for Dr. Francois Allaire to come to the goaltenders' corner of the Maple Leafs' dressing room Saturday night at the Verizon Centre in D.C. But the Leafs' new goaltending guru could be a busy man in coming days, with Vesa Toskala off on the wrong skate and Jonas Gustavsson perhaps in line for more October games than expected. In a perfect world, coach Ron Wilson wanted Toskala to ease his way back into the No. 1 role following off-season surgeries that damaged both his confidence and career save percentage. He could play the first three or four games, get his game in gear and the Air Canada Centre fans back on his side, while Gustavsson, the ..."

Goaltending already a problem for Leafs

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October 5

Toronto Star

columnist Damien Cox

"It was a telling sequence. With just over a minute gone in the first period Saturday night in Washington, Maple Leaf defenceman Francois Beauchemin stepped up into the neutral zone to confront puck-carrying Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom. Beauchemin was just following orders. Earlier in the day, Leaf head coach Ron Wilson had made it clear that he wanted his blueliners to get up-ice and in the face of the skilled Washington forwards rather than give up ground and retreat."

Leafs begin look for new captain

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October 1

Toronto Sun

"The search for a new Maple Leafs captain begins tomorrow night. On the day the last man to wear the C retires coach Ron Wilson has narrowed down his search for the future captain. The Leafs coach said Mike Komisarek, Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin will begin the season as alternates. Wilson said he'd like any of them to prove themselves worthy of being promoted to captain as soon as November. "Hopefully by the first of November or so, after I get to know (Komisarek and Beauchemin) better, we will have a decision on who the captain is," Wilson said. "I think out of those three candidates, they all are worthy. We would like to choose from one of them." The Leafs, of course, went ..."

Leafs cuts imminent

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September 27

Toronto Sun

"They are the unkindest cuts of all. Unfortunately, for a handful of Maple Leafs, that's the harsh reality of life at an NHL training camp. After tonight's preseason game against the Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre, the Leafs brass will get together to discuss the trimming process that will need to be done in order to whittle down the roster to the 23-man limit. "There will be a few discussions with players tomorrow," coach Ron Wilson said. Swedish forward Rickard Wallin is expected to survive those cuts. Veteran forward Jason Allison is not. Vesa Toskala will get the start in goal tonight, playing the first period before stepping aside for rookie Jonas Gustavsson, who will be between ..."

Leafs keeping close watch on goalies

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September 22

Toronto Star

"When you're a goalie, you never want to look back. Never mind the puck, it's all those people looking over your shoulder that can get to you. But Vesa Toskala doesn't mind the critical gaze of goaltending guru Francois (Frankie) Allaire. "It's good to have Frankie here," said Toskala of Allaire, one of the top goaltending coaches in the game. "I think it's important. Even if the coach doesn't say anything, as long he's standing there looking at you, I think you try a little bit more, a little bit harder. Keeps you honest.""

Phil Kessel trade likely

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September 17

Boston Herald

"Because of the looming threat the Bruins will not be able to match an offer sheet for free agent Phil Kessel, two well-placed sources in Toronto said the team is close to pulling off a blockbuster trade involving the 21-year-old sniper. According to the sources, the deal likely will be finalized within the next week, as four teams are in the running. Toronto and Nashville have made the best offers in talks with B's general manager Peter Chiarelli. Minnesota and the New York Rangers also are in the mix. The Bruins hoped all along to keep Kessel but could not re-sign him despite making a lucrative offer, so they are close to getting what they can for him and moving on. "We're obviously at an ..."

Agent's presence fuels trade talk

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September 14

Toronto Sun

"Wade Arnott represents plenty of NHL players but his presence at the opening on-ice sessions of Maple Leafs training camp certainly raised some eyebrows. Arnott, who is based in the GTA, represents Boston's unrestricted free agent, Phil Kessel, a player Leafs general manager Brian Burke has openly admitted he'd like to acquire. While trade talks with the Bruins reportedly are heating up, the fact that Arnott spent time at the Leafs' new practice facility talking with Burke's right-hand man, Dave Nonis, certainly adds to the intrigue. There are a handful of teams interested in acquiring Kessel, though it is believed he favours the Leafs. As a restricted free agent, the Leafs could make ..."

Kiss Kessel goodbye

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September 14

Boston Globe

"Just hours before the Bruins skated yesterday at the Garden for their first bona fide training camp workout, the ever-active rumor mill in Toronto had the Maple Leafs tabling the best offer yet for Boston free agent Phil Kessel. To wit: for a pair of first-round picks and one second-round pick, Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli could be free at last from his summer '09 migraine, and the 21-year-old Kessel could call southern Ontario home. "Partially true,'' said one source familiar with the talks between the teams, which have been going on for more than two weeks. "Toronto also wants a third-rounder along with Kessel.''"

Leafs move to front of line for Kessel

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September 12

Toronto Sun

"Brian Burke is American, but seems to have adopted that old Royal Canadian Mounted Police credo to always get your man. The Maple Leafs general manager's dogged pursuit of Phil Kessel that began in June has intensifed to where Toronto now is the leading candidate to land the Boston Bruins winger, through trade rather than a restricted free agent signing. While Kessel's agent, Wade Arnott, yesterday denied reports in the Boston media that the door is closed on re-signing there, the Bruins' dicey salary cap situation, its willingness to deal Kessel at the draft to the Leafs and, more recently in talks with Toronto, Nashville and the Rangers likely means he is moving."

Will Leafs cough up to get Kessel?

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September 11

Toronto Star

"The lingering suspicion that Phil Kessel is no longer interested in being part of the Boston Bruins is now confirmed. But that doesn't make him any closer to becoming a Maple Leaf. At least, not yet. Sources told the Boston Globe yesterday that Kessel won't conduct any more negotiations on a new contract with the Bruins, and really, that's no big surprise. To many, the inability of the speedy winger to come to terms with the club over the past three months has been partly about money, and partly about no longer wanting to play in Boston."

Landing Kessel won't be easy

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September 10

Toronto Sun

"Two major obstacles remain for the Maple Leafs or any team trying to sign or trade for Boston Bruins winger Phil Kessel. He has a shoulder injury that won't heal until November. And Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli is expected to match any offer sheet for the restricted free agent -- or try to make other trades and get under the NHL cap to accommodate Kessel's anticipated $4-million US-plus salary request. The New York Rangers head a list of teams also interested in Kessel, likely via a trade. While the Leafs have the needed first, second and third-round picks to make the bold RFA signing, they could package one of those picks and one or more of their surplus defencemen as part of ..."

Maple Leafs rookie struts his stuff

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September 8

Toronto Star

"Christian Hanson has a few advantages in this rookie tournament. At 23, he's older than most of the players here. At 6-foot-4, 223 pounds he's also bigger than most of them. And having signed at the end of last season as a free agent out of Notre Dame, he has already played a handful of games in the NHL."

Burke still trying to reel in Phil Kessel

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September 7

Toronto Star

"Brian Burke won't appreciate the comparison, not one bit. But there's a little Jim Balsillie in the Maple Leaf hockey boss. Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, you see, is no longer interested in transferring scoring winger Phil Kessel to the Leafs via trade. What might have made sense to Chiarelli in June at the entry draft has been obliterated by the reality that having his team have to deal with Kessel six times a year within in the division isn't particularly attractive."

Maple Leafs in position to take a run at Kessel

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September 6

Boston Globe

"Bruin Phil Kessel, almost dealt to the Maple Leafs in June, soon could be fitted for a Toronto sweater. The question is: Will the Leafs once again try to pry Kessel away via a trade, or will Toronto general manager Brian Burke opt instead to extend an offer sheet to the fourth-year right wing, who last season scored a career-high 36 goals?"

Monster leaving it open

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August 27

Toronto Sun

"The shots will come quicker and the traffic in his goal crease will be far more congested than anything Jonas Gustavsson saw in Sweden. But the celebrated rookie they call The Monster isn't backing down from his plot to fight Vesa Toskala for the No. 1 spot in the Maple Leafs net. Gustavsson was alongside the cream of this year's class of NHL rookies yesterday at Mississauga's Hershey Centre for a photo shoot with hockey card maker, Upper Deck. And the big goalkeeper says he has every intention of making as much of an impact this season as top picks John Tavares (New York Islanders) and fellow Swede Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay.) "It could take one week, one month, one year or 10 years but ..."

Kaberle's no-trade clause in effect: Burke

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August 15

Toronto Star

"The only move in Tomas Kaberle's future will be a flight from his Czech Republic home to Toronto for training camp with the Leafs. Yesterday was the last day that Toronto general manager Brian Burke could trade the veteran defenceman, but the GM reiterated that Kaberle was "not moving." Kaberle's no-trade clause kicks back in today, but Burke has always maintained that it would take a sensational offer for him to part with the 31-year-old."

Burke pulls Kaberle off the market

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August 15

Toronto Sun

"Attention K-Mart shoppers, don't bother looking for that last-second Tomas Kaberle deal. Asked yesterday just what time today the defenceman's trade window closes, general manager Brian Burke e-mailed: "It doesn't matter when. We're not moving him." A post-season opportunity to trade Kaberle opened in his contract when the Leafs missed the playoffs. But outside of discussions with Boston for Phil Kessel at the draft, nothing developed and Burke decided to see what Kaberle can do this year when protected by a tougher Toronto defence. Burke's hope to trade another defenceman for help at forward remain unfulfilled to date. Peddie won't talk A slim hope that Jim Balsillie could get Maple ..."

Kaberle likely safe for now

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August 12

Toronto Sun

"Tomas Kaberle still hesitates when answering his phone in the Czech Republic. But the wait and worry ends Saturday when the window on the defenceman's no-trade contract closes, with him still expected to be a Maple Leaf. Kaberle was relieved to hear general manager Brian Burke predict again yesterday that he'll be in the fold when training camp opens in a month. "I'm happy to be staying a Leaf, though there are still a few days to go," a cautious Kaberle said yesterday in a phone interview from his hometown of Kladno. "Everyone knew what Brian said, that if he got a good deal there would be movement with me. But I'm getting ready to go to Toronto now, working out the past few weeks ..."

Justin Pogge's ready to Duck out of town

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August 10

Toronto Star

"As promised by Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, Justin Pogge's days in Toronto are over. Once touted as the Leafs' long-term solution in goal, Pogge is headed out of town in a trade for a conditional draft pick with GM Burke's former team, the Anaheim Ducks. While the deal had not been officially confirmed, Pogge told the Star's Mark Zwolinski yesterday: "I heard about it (trade) and I'm pretty excited, a fresh start somewhere new, so I think it's a good move." The deal likely will have the Ducks getting Pogge in exchange for a conditional late-round draft pick that can improve based on his play. To fill the opening in goal, the Leafs appear poised to announce the signing of free ..."

Leafs close to dealing Pogge

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August 9

Toronto Sun

"The Maple Leafs are close to a deal that would send little-used goaltender Justin Pogge to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional draft pick. A source confirmed to Sun Media that a deal is expected sometime Sunday or Monday. TSN reported Sunday that a late round draft pick is headed the Ducks' way, its position to be ultimately determined by how Pogge would perform in 2009-10. TSN also says the Leafs are in negotiations with Nova Scotia-born free agent goalie Joey MacDonald, who played 49 games last season with the New York Islanders as the principal back-up to the injured Rick DiPietro. Though the Leafs retained Pogge's rights by sending the 23-year-old a qualifying offer in June, general ..."

Burke scouring bushes for penalty killing

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July 9

Toronto Star

"After muscling up with miscreants, the Maple Leafs' next move may be to add a free-agent, penalty-killing forward. Sure, they need scoring and filling that void is on general manager Brian Burke's to-do list. But Toronto also had the league's worst penalty killing last year and with the team likely to spend even more time shorthanded in the coming season, that could be an unfolding disaster unless Burke gets some help. "A couple of the things we're looking at are skilled forwards and bottom-six guys who have some special attributes. We're looking at guys who might do specific tasks," Burke said yesterday. One of the tasks Burke mentioned is penalty killing. So that would make an ..."

Leafs' Brian Burke: 'We're not done'

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July 8

Toronto Star

"Moments after the Maple Leafs announced they'd signed free agent blueliner François Beauchemin on Monday, an email landed in Brian Burke's inbox. "We got our first serious trade offer – not for (Tomas) Kaberle, for a lesser defenceman," said the Maple Leafs general manager. "But that's the next thing, to see if we can parlay a defenceman into a forward." After a frenetic week of bulking up – Toronto has added defencemen Mike Komisarek from Montreal, Beauchemin from Anaheim and Garnet Exelby from Atlanta, forwards Colton Orr from the Rangers and Colin Stuart from the Thrashers and, yesterday, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson – three things hold true for the Leafs: They have an excess of ..."

Free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson picks Toronto over Dallas

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July 8

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Joe Nieuwendyk is finding out why so many general managers have gray hair — or none at all. The former Stars center returned to Dallas like a conquering hero a month ago at the tender age of 42. Just a couple of years removed from playing, he was hand-picked by owner Tom Hicks to be the team's new GM and lead a charge into a new generation of hockey. But after free agent goalie Jonas Gustavsson chose the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Stars on Tuesday, leaving Nieuwendyk to search for a backup goalie, the shine was off the apple for many Stars fans, who littered message boards with doubts about where Nieuwendyk is steering this ship. It's probably foolish to jump to such conclusions this ..."

Beauchemin rejoins GM Burke in Toronto

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July 7

Toronto Star

"When Brian Burke announced a three-year, $11.4 million free-agent deal for François Beauchemin yesterday, the club had put the finishing touches on what promises to be a rock-hard, rock-solid defence. Another piece to the Burke puzzle could arrive today, when Swedish goalie Jonas (The Monster) Gustavsson is expected to announce his signing with the Leafs. Six young players officially became part of the fold yesterday, including first-round draft pick Nazem Kadri, and the potential for a Tomas Kaberle trade still exists. There's also an offer to Rickard Wallin, the captain of Gustavsson's Farjestad team in the Swedish Elite League. The signings and additions, capping a busy week for the ..."

Leafs chase Monster's mate

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July 6

Toronto Sun

"If things work out the way Brian Burke hopes, soon he can start referring to a team in Sweden as the Maple Leafs unofficial farm club. Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League is the home of much recruited goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, a player the Leafs general manager is hotly chasing. But it doesn,t end with the kid they call the Monster, as the Leafs also are in pursuit of the team's captain, centre Rickard Wallin. "We've talked to him and expressed some interest but there's nothing to report," Dave Nonis, Leafs senior vice-president of hockey operations, said yesterday. "It's a little early." Sources in Sweden say talks have progressed further though, as Wallin could be the latest ..."

Kessel-to-Leafs deal is off the table

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July 4

Toronto Sun

"Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is not about to book Phil Kessel a flight to Toronto. Burke reported yesterday that a deal between the Leafs and the Boston Bruins, which would have seen Toronto defenceman Tomas Kaberle head to Boston for the high-scoring Kessel, is not on the table anymore, at least not at this point. In fact, Burke added that interest in Kaberle's services, once very high, has cooled down. Kessel, 21, is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Bruins can match any offer sheet he receives from other NHL clubs, and reportedly is looking for something in the neighbourhood of $5 million US. The Bruins, however, quickly are running out of cap space and probably would have to ..."

Sources: Chris Neil Decides To Stay In Ottawa

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July 1

TSN.ca

"After contemplating three solid offers from other clubs, sources are saying that forward Chris Neil has decided to stay in Ottawa. Earlier in the week, Neil reportedly turned down the Senators' offer of $1.7-million per year. The New York Rangers offered a four year deal to Neil, averaging $2.3 million per season, while the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs have both tabled three year offers to the Toronto native. Sources say the Rangers had made the most substantial bid, but the veteran forward clearly wanted to stay in Ottawa."

Leafs add top enforcer

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July 1

Toronto Sun

"It took Brian Burke only about an hour in the free agency sweepstakes to add the muscle he so badly covets. The Maple Leafs this afternoon inked former New York Ranger Colton Orr to a four-year, $4 million deal, adding one of the toughest hombres in the National Hockey League. Orr, 27, has 547 penalty minutes in just 245 games, many of those accrued during scraps with fellow tough guys such as Georges Laraque. Burke, who vowed once again on the weekend his desire to make his team bigger and badder, wasted little time in snapping up Orr, who is acknowledged as one of the top enforcers in the NHL. Orr, a native of Winnipeg, has scored four goals and seven assists in his NHL career."

Monster won't decide until after July 1

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June 30

Sportsnet.ca

"Jonas Gustavsson, the free-agent goalie from Sweden is going to wait until after July 1 to announce his decision. Gustavsson's agent Joe Resnick told Hockeycentral "It's highly unlikely we'll commit before 12 noon Wednesday. With so many teams potentially making major changes to their rosters, maybe it's best to wait and watch it unfold first." The 24-year-old was Sweden's national goalie at the world hockey championship and is considered the best goalie not playing in the NHL."

Leafs qualify goaltender Pogge

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June 30

Sportsnet.ca

"The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a qualifying offer to goaltender Justin Pogge, Sportsnet has learned. The move ensures that Pogge remains a restricted free agent after July 1st, allowing the Leafs to match any offer made to Pogge by other clubs. Had the Leafs not extended the offer and failed to sign him to a new contract by Wednesday, Pogge would have become an unrestricted free agent. Drafted by the Leafs 90th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Pogge has failed to live up to expectations. The Fort McMurray, AB native has spent most of the last few seasons with the Marlies, Toronto's AHL affiliate, and has not impressed in call-ups to the big club. In seven appearances with the Leafs ..."

Kaberle-Kessel package discussed

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June 26

Toronto Sun

"The Tomas Kaberle sweepstakes are getting hot and heavy, with the Boston Bruins apparently leading the charge. The Bruins have offered young forward Phil Kessel to the Maple Leafs as part of a package that would see Kaberle shipped to Beantown. The reported offer had the Bruins dangling Kessel for Kaberle and the Leafs first-round pick, No. 7 overall. That pick, however, is a stumbling block, as the Leafs do not want to include it in the package. "The No. 7 pick is not in play," a Leaf source said this morning. When asked about a potential Kessel-for-Kaberle package earlier today, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli replied: "No comment." With Leafs general manager Brian Burke having ..."

Bruins, Leafs talk Kessel-For-Kaberle

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June 26

Boston Globe

"The Bruins and Maple Leafs late last night discussed the possibility of a Phil Kessel-for-Tomas Kaberle swap, but according to a source familiar with the discussion between the teams' respective general managers, the conversation did not include the Leafs sending the No. 7 overall pick in tonight's NHL draft here to Boston. ''Not a chance that's happening,'' said the source in reference to the No. 7 pick. ''Wasn't offered, and there isn't a chance the Leafs do that deal.'' A tsn.ca report posted earlier today had it that the Bruins offered Kessel for Kaberle and the No. 7. However, the Bruins again have put Kessel on the table--as they did at the league's March 4 trade deadline--and he ..."

Kessel to Toronto?

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June 26

Boston Globe

"Boston's interest in acquiring Tomas Kaberle, reported here on Boston.com last night, took an interesting twist here today when TSN.ca's Bob McKenzie reported that the Bruins have offered Phil Kessel to the Leafs for Kaberle and the Leafs' seventh pick in tonight's NHL draft here at the Bell Center. Peter Chiarelli, the Bruins general manager, did not return at email last night when asked about Boston's interest in acquiring Kaberle, the 31-year-old Czech-born backliner. McKenzie is among the most reliable hockey reporters/sources in Canada, giving credence to Boston's alleged offer. Burke is also a former TSN employee, having worked there in a number of roles over the years. Kessel, who ..."

Tavares flattered by Leafs' pursuit

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June 26

Toronto Sun

"As the hours tick down on the biggest moment of his young hockey life, John Tavares admits to being flattered by Brian Burke's attempts to make him a Maple Leaf. "To see somebody publicly state how much he wants you like that, it makes you feel good," Tavares said yesterday as he prepared himself to be one of the top picks in tonight's 2009 NHL entry draft at the Bell Centre. Burke confirmed again last night that his efforts to move up in the draft order continue to be scuttled. The New York Islanders, he said, seem uninterested in moving out of the No. 1 slot while the Tampa Bay Lightning, holding the No. 2 selection, want a package that includes Luke Schenn, a player Burke refuses to ..."

Burke vows Leafs will be tougher

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June 23

Toronto Sun

"As frustrated as Brian Burke was at seeing the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs, he was equally bothered by the way it happened some nights. Days before the annual NHL entry draft, Burke made his promise that the team will be tougher next season. "We had a passive group, all year long our trainer was on the ice," Burke said at Mohawk Racetrack where he was the guest drawmaster for Saturday's $1.5 million North America Cup harness race. "We are going to be a much more hostile group. "We will be tougher. I'm not watching this again." Burke said he may not be able to dramatically change the complexion of the team overnight, but he's going to begin working at it immediately. "I'm not sure how ..."

Leafs' Brian Burke pulling out stops to lock up Monster

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June 21

Toronto Star

"The wining and dining of Jonas Gustavsson continued last night when the free agent goalie sat down for a meal with Maple Leaf forward John Mitchell. Both are clients of agent Joe Resnick. Gustavsson had a meeting Friday night with Leaf GM Brian Burke that went "really, really well," Resnick said yesterday. "Brian knows Jonas very well. He's met with him two or three times. Jonas is very comfortable with Brian." Resnick said Gustavsson will make his decision based on his comfort level with the team, its management, stability in ownership and "a gut feel.""

Maple Leafs Trade Rumors