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Bright's Grove, ON • Canada • 27 Years Old • Male
In evauluating the trades, any hockey pundit will tell you that you need to wait for an extended period of time down the road to see who 'wins' a trade.

I on the other hand see a way to evaluate this trade right now, I think there is a simple way to look at this from a Leafs fan perspective and be more than happy with it.

For starters, let me say that I think Phaneuf's game has to improve, and will improve with time. He is still young at only 24 years old, and hopefully this trade will serve as a wake up call for him and his game will rebound.

That being said, this is how I evaluate the trade.

I match up on a player for player basis, essentially breaking it down into smaller trades.

If the Leafs were to be moving these assets alone, the return would be viewed as pretty good in my eyes.

If the Leafs were going to move White alone, it would be a young forward, or a prospect younger than himself.

White for Aulie

With Aulie being viewed as a blue chip prospect on the back end, I think Toronto surely gained enough for White's value.

If the Leafs were to trade Mayers, a late pick was a likely best scenario.

Mayers for Sjostrom

With the Leafs in dire need of help on the penalty kill to avoid being the worst in the history of the NHL, the value of adding Sjostrom to the deal may be paramount for the Leafs team moving forward.

That leaves Hagman and Stajan. If the Leafs were to trade Stajan alone, they were likely looking at an Antropov type deal at best, where they get a 2nd round pick and perhaps a late draft pick with strings attached. If Hagman was moved alone, he would have maybe been able to get a late first round pick, but more likely, would have received a 2nd or 3rd round pick and a prospect.

Stajan and Hagman for Phaneuf

While on paper this season, it might look to be an overpayment, but go back 12 months, and would anyone hesitate to make this move. Add that to the fact that Stajan is UFA and is putting up career numbers, and those two players might equal the cap hit of Phaneuf next year anyways. With the added flexibility to move other blue liners, this seems like it would be a no brainer for me to pull the trigger on individually.

In my eyes, this seems to be a win-win-win type trade for the Leafs, and has the potential to be even better further down the road.
Filed Under:   Leafs   Flames   Phaneuf   Stajan   White   Hagman   Mayers   Sjostrom   Aulie  
February 1, 2010 12:57 PM ET | Delete
February 1, 2010 1:04 PM ET | Delete
No, Toronto just fleeced Calgary, end of story. Hagman is a dime a dozen player. You weren't going to pay White. Stajan was gone or traded for a 2nd at best. Mayers sucked and was a throw in.
February 1, 2010 1:40 PM ET | Delete
What ever the case may be......The Leafs got the best return....Now all they need is a big name Elite center, and bring up your young guns from the minors, and lets see what happens.....It would make for good hockey!!!!
February 1, 2010 1:50 PM ET | Delete
yea, I hope the young guys get a shot now...should be fun to watch, at least provide some entertainment through the rest of the season. Hopefully we get some picks back for Kabby, Poni, whoever else Burke can move.
February 1, 2010 2:47 PM ET | Delete
Toronto has WWWAAAYYY too much money invested in an underachieving blue line. This will continue to haunt them until at least a couple of those guys are moved.
February 1, 2010 9:09 PM ET | Delete
Burke is a good hockey mind and has always built long term.
February 1, 2010 11:48 PM ET | Delete
Kaberle's expiration date in Toronto is July 1st... perhaps sooner.
February 2, 2010 12:54 PM ET | Delete
February 5, 2010 12:10 AM ET | Delete
Who are the Leafs going to get next let's wait and what wants to trade for
February 8, 2010 8:59 AM ET | Delete
Sjostrom was a first round pick... not a late rounder.
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