The Day After

OK, it's the day after the March 2nd Trade Deadline and what exactly has changed in Leaf land.

A couple of minor moves were made in the minors. The Leaf's reacquired T.J. Brennan (25) by shipping out Spencer Abbott and claimed Tim Erixon (24) on waivers. While neither move is a particularly earth-shattering move for the Leaf's, they may help the Marlies in their push for the playoffs. A worthwhile goal in its own right as it can provide the developing youngsters with extra games and some playoff experience.

A potentially more significant move, at least as far as the cap is concerned, was the trading of David Clarkson for Nathan Horton (29). Even if Nathan Horton never plays a game as a Leaf (the most likely outcome) and this rebuild takes as long as it most likely should, 4 to 7 years, and the Leaf's aren't where they shouldn't be in that time frame (up against the cap), this should still be looked upon as a good move by Leaf management. It gives them something that may prove useful if the rebuild goes faster than planned - flexibility concerning the cap.

In fact, a case could be made to say that this is a very shrewd move by Leaf's management. They are exploiting one area where they have a distinct advantage over most of the other teams in the league - an essentially unlimited amount of money to spend outside the confines of the cap.

Even though the above changes, in and of themselves, are good moves, the most important changes happened on the trade front.

From my original list of 7 players (List A) scheduled to become UFAs at season's end and therefore new homes had to be found for, we can see that Leaf's management has found a new home for 5 of the 7. A pretty solid effort.

The 5 now ex-Leafs:

1. Cody Franson
2. Mike Santorelli
3. Korbinian Holzer
4. Daniel Winnick
5. Olli Jokinen

Unfortunately, new homes could not be found for David Booth or Trevor Smith.

To provide a grade for the solid effort put in by Leaf's management let's look at the total haul of what assets were acquired for the above 5 players:

1. 2015 - 1st Round
2. 2015 - 4th Round
3. 2016 - 2nd Round
4. 2016 - 5th Round
5. 2016 - 6th Round (Conditional)

6. Brendan Leipsic (20)

7. Zach Sill (26)
8. Joakim Lindstrom (31)
9. Eric Brewer (35)

Five draft picks (including a 1st rounder!), 1 high "C" maybe low "B" level prospect, and a free look at 3 players (roster placeholders) who most likely don't fit into the long-term plans of the Leafs but should buy more time for some of the youngsters to develop down in the minors - which is where they should be developing.

All in all an effort worthy of a solid B+. It could have been an A- or even an A if more of the 2016 draft picks had been 2015 draft picks, but since this rebuild is going to be a multi-year effort, taking the 2016 draft picks was the prudent move.

Now that the "excitement" of Trade Deadline is over, we have no choice but to wait for the next significant date on the Leaf's calendar - draft lottery day.