Instant Analysis: Burke & Sutter’s 7-Player Swap

Brian Burke and Daryl Sutter needed to shake up their respective teams through trade, and they’ve done just that.

The Trade

To Calgary: D Ian White, LW Niklas Hagman, C Matt Stajan, F Jamal Mayers
To Toronto: D Dion Phaneuf, F Fredrik Sjostrom, D Keith Aulie.

From Toronto’s Standpoint

Dion Phaneuf is the centrepiece of this deal for Toronto, and his presence drastically changes the face of the Leafs on the back end. Phaneuf possesses a well-rounded skill set, with great feet, above-average puck handling ability, and an intimidating physical presense. He is one of the few defensemen who is feared equally for his 20-goal ability as his tendency to execute punishing open-ice hits. Phaneuf will help Toronto considerably on the powerplay, as he provides the booming point shot and one-timer threat that has been missing since the departure of Bryan McCabe. Phaneuf becomes the highest-paid defenseman on the Leafs, making 6.5 million for the next four seasons. The move signifies a culture change in Toronto, who are mired in one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, and who sorely needed to shake up the roster.

In Aulie, the Leafs receive a potential future shutdown defenseman who represented Canada at the 2009 WJHC and performed very well. Aulie fills an organizational need for the Leafs, who have few defensive prospects of note beyond 2009 draftee Jesse Blacker.

Fredrik Sjostrom is a capable third line player with speed and defensive competency. He will see penalty kill time for a Leafs squad that is currently dead last in that department.

From Calgary’s Standpoint

The Flames were loaded on defense prior to this deal and extremely thin up front, so they’ve addressed their most pressing need by acquiring some offense. Left winger Niklas Hagman has 20 goals and will likely find himself on Calgary’s top line with Jarome Iginla. Hagman is a legitimate top-6 forward and should gives the Flames another scoring theat from the wing.

Matt Stajan, currently a 16-goal scorer, should also be auditioned in a top-line role, but at the very least will give the Flames some depth at centre ice. Stajan is second in Flames scoring upon his arrival behind only Jarome Iginla. He’s not known for his physicality, but he doesn’t shy away from contact and should have no trouble fitting in with the rough-and-tough Calgary squad.

Ian White is a hard-working and smart defenseman, who is a capable first passer and for long stretches this season was the top plus/minus player on the Leafs. White should slide in nicely alongside Jay Bouwmeester on Calgary’s top pairing. He may be the gem of this deal for Calgary.

Jamal Mayers is a decent faceoff man who works hard and plays with a physical edge. He should become a valued role player for Calgary heading into the post-season.

Final Thoughts

This trade has no apparent winner, which usually signifies a quality deal, as both GMs surrender value to get value in return. Beyond changing the face of the Leafs’ defense, this deal likely indicates that Tomas Kaberle will be moved in the summer, or sooner if he decides to request a trade. Phaneuf plays the left side and can move the puck well enough to allow Burke to trade Kaberle for scoring assets. This deal sees the Leafs lose their top scoring winger in Niklas Hagman, and their top scoring forward in Matt Stajan. Consider the Phaneuf acquisition to be a domino which will eventually lead to a defensemen being shipped out for scoring help.

Although Calgary have surrended a top defenseman, they do so while owning one of the league’s deepest crop of blueliners. It has been evident for a long time that Jarome Iginla carries too much of the offensive burden in Calgary, so the Flames win this deal from the standpoint of adding scoring punch. Hagman will potentially play the wing opposite Iginla, and Stajan will likely prime minutes as well. Ian White has outscored Dion Phaneuf by four points this year, so Calgary shouldn’t feel too much of a void on the back end. The Flames have been in a slide recently, so adding four new faces should wake up the team.

PART II

Brian Burke and Bob Murray have swapped unwanted contracts in a win-win deal.

The Trade:

To Toronto: G Jean Sebastian Giguere
To Anaheim: G Vesa Toskala, F Jason Blake

From Toronto’s Standpoint

Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala have been the two most hated Leafs this season, so this deal does wonders for morale in Toronto. Jason Blake’s contract has been considered impossible to move, and for Anaheim to take on the remaining two years of his contract is close to miraculous from a Leaf perspective. Toskala’s attitude had grown sour in Toronto and it was time for a change of scenery. Giguere’s scenario was similar, as he believes that he can still be a number one goaltender in the NHL. He will likely get that opportunity next year in Toronto, working in a tandem system with Jonas Gustavsson, under his old goaltending coach Francois Allaire. Giguere’s numbers have slipped, but he is a definite upgrade from Toskala, who has been one of the worst statistical goaltenders in the NHL this season.

From Anaheim’s Standpoint

With the signing of Jonas Hiller to become the clear number one goaltender beyond this season, J.S. Giguere’s 6 million dollar cap hit was rumoured to be moved almost immediately. Vesa Toskala will be a serviceable backup in the interim, while his contract expires after the current season. As loathed as Jason Blake was in Toronto, he will help the Ducks, who lack depth offensively. Blake is a high-energy player who keeps his feet moving and works hard on the forecheck. He will likely alternate between Anaheim’s second and third line, while adding speed to the lineup.

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