The Leafs acquired Phaneuf, right wing Fredrik Sjostrom and defenseman Keith Aulie in exchange for defenseman Ian White, center Matt Stajan, left wing Niklas Hagman and right wing Jamal Mayers.
The Leafs also acquired veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks for Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala.
I'll give Burke major props, he got that horrendous Blake contract off his hands. Phaneuf has not been a star this season, but is young enough that he has lots of time to turn it around.
Hardly makes them cup contenders, but it's a step in the right direction away from mediocrity. If only they could take back the Kessel deal.
I was just about to start a thread titled "Flames obtain Stajan, Mayers, White & Hagman". It's all about perspective.
Flames fans have by and large been complaining about Phaneuf's play all season, but they've been having a collective meltdown in the wake of this trade. I think it makes the Flames a better team for the rest of the season.
If Phaneuf can straighten his head out, he could become a strong leader on the Leafs. Still, who's going to score goals there?
I can't believe that Toronto actually managed to rid itself of Toskala and Blake and get anything of value in return.
Kirk, crackers are a family food. Happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, we don't know. Frankly, we don't want to know. It's a market we can do without.
Yeah, who the Calgary trade will benefit the most is still up in the air (though I think it'll be Toronto) but there's no doubt the Leafs got the better of the Anaheim deal. Count me in with Big Bad as being shocked that the Leafs managed to dump both of those guys and get something in return. Never, ever thought they'd get rid of the Blake contract in particular.
Well, there's certainly no goalie controversy in Anaheim now!
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Hey, if the Sabers had been smart enough to draft or trade for Nieuwendyk, Loob, Mullen, Roberts, MacInnis, Suter, Gilmour, Otto, Vernon, Patterson in the late '80s, I'm sure they would have won a Cup too.