Blues and Leafs swap players

[Chadd 916]

Just heard on NHL Live that the Leafs are sending Cola and Steen to the Blues for Stempniak. Will try and find a link.

[kosydar 0]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=257162&lid...os=topStory_nhl

Can't say I know much about Stempniak as I don't watch many Blues games. It looks like he is having a good year (and had one two seasons ago), but I don't know if I like the idea of giving up two first round picks. Everyone knows Cola has a ton of potential and can be a very solid top 4 d. Steen also has a ton of potential, but has never really panned out. If anything that is because he is being used in all the wrong situations. Maurice and now Wilson put him in a checking role, when he really has offensive potential. If Cola doesn't amount to anything due to injuries and Steen stays a third liner, then its a good trade for Toronto. But if they both (or even one of them) does what they're capable of I'll be pissed.

[ArcArsenal 0]

I think the Leafs should have atleast been given a pick as well in this deal...

The fact is the Leafs have too many D-Men so getting rid of Carlo is not a terrible move. Steen has failed to impress or live up to potential...but come on, these are two first rounders.

Are we going to add these guys to the long list of NHLer's who came into their own after leaving TO?

[Chadd 916]

Stempniak can score, he just needs a setup guy to feed him the puck.

[kosydar 0]

The problem I foresee is where is Stempniak going to play? The Poni-Stajan-Antro line and the Hagman-Grabs-Kulemin lines seem like they'll stay intact. He won't play with Mayers-Mitchell-Hollweg. That leaves the White-Moore-Blake line, which hasn't been bad. Move White back to D (I heard Frogren is hurt), but does it make sense to play Stempniak on the third line with Blake and Moore? I wish Poni would take White's spot and let Stempniak play with Stajan and Antro, but I can see Kulemin moving down a line to be much more likely.

[mrusse01 0]

Is Stempniak a fast skater? I'm guessing from the trade (and the stats) that he is a rich man's Steen, and the Leafs are betting the difference is greater or equal to Carlo's value.

Steen really wasn't doing much of anything here, and although he looks like a fantastic player...can fly, handle the puck, has a nice shot...he just never ends up on the score sheet. With Carlo, I think Wilson just had it in for him, I hope he gets his career turned around in St. Louis because I always thought he was a good player, but in Toronto with Kabby and Stralman (and White), there really isn't a whole lot of room for another join the rush type of d-man.

I'd like to see Stempniak take Poni's spot with Stajan and Poni, that's got to be the logical fit. Either that or you move Kulemin and put him with Grabo and Hagman, but that line has a euro flair going that I quite like and I don't know where you put Kulemin in that case.

I'd go with

Stajan-Nik-Stempkiak

Grabo-Kulemin-Hagman

Moore-Blake-Poni

Mayers-Mitchell-Hollweg

With White on D for the time being.

[kosydar 0]

I think you're right about Wilson not liking Carlo. After he left practice with a hurt foot, Wilson made the comment that Carlo is in terrible shape and that's why he gets hurt so often. While I don't agree with that at all, its obvious there wasn't much love there. Now the only guys left over from last year's team are Toskala, Kaberle, Kubina, White, Stralman, Moore, Blake, Poni, Antro, Stajan. Like the TSN article said, its interesting they would make this move right before Burke is on his way in. If Sundin comes back and Toskala pulls his head out of his ass, they could be a pretty competitive team.

[mrusse01 0]

Despite the bad record, I think the team has been playing really well lately. Finger personally lost the Chicago game, and Toskala has been brutal, but the top 3 lines have been unbelievably successful compared to what anybody could have expected. Even the line of White/Moore/Blake I thought has been dynamite the last few games. As of the last game, Grabo was leading the NHL in November goals scored, and Stajan is somehow leading the team in scoring. It's the defense and goaltending especially that have let the team down this season, and remarkably the forward unit has been strong.

The only real 'old guard' left on the team are Kabby, Poni, Nik, and Stajan....and with the exception of Stajan I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were moved.

[MissConduct 1]

this deal was Stempniak for Steen.. (kinda like Toskala deal, we had to take Bell as well)

Colo is oft injured, and we are full on "D"

[RadioGaGa 162]

this deal was Stempniak for Steen.. (kinda like Toskala deal, we had to take Bell as well)

Colo is oft injured, and we are full on "D"

Our newsguy came in to ask who to pronounce Carlos last name...I told him, but said "oft injured" has to go before it....we'll see if he uses it at 4P

[MissConduct 1]

lol

[Guest mattyhuron]

I think you're right about Wilson not liking Carlo. After he left practice with a hurt foot, Wilson made the comment that Carlo is in terrible shape and that's why he gets hurt so often. While I don't agree with that at all, its obvious there wasn't much love there. Now the only guys left over from last year's team are Toskala, Kaberle, Kubina, White, Stralman, Moore, Blake, Poni, Antro, Stajan. Like the TSN article said, its interesting they would make this move right before Burke is on his way in. If Sundin comes back and Toskala pulls his head out of his ass, they could be a pretty competitive team.

I am still doubting that Burke is still on his way in!

[RadioGaGa 162]

lol

He didn't...he was too worried about mispronouncing CocaCola to worry about being fancy *L*