With Colby Armstrong and a couple of two-way contracts Brian Burke's only additions on July 1st, it is perhaps safe to presume that the Maple Leafs general manager will turn his attention to the trade market in order to bolster his thin selection of top six forwards.
Armstrong, while regarded as a third liner, trails only Matt Cullen and is tied with Olli Jokinen and Ray Whitney in annual salary amongst the forwards changing teams as free agents so far. Ilya Kovalchuk and Matthew Lombardi are the only forwards remaining who are sure to pass that $3 million per year mark. It is not a rich crop.
The trading chip most likely to return a significant forward is, of course, defenseman Tomas Kaberle, whose value will be affected by a much deeper group of free agent defensemen.
One team it is safe ...
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Article written by Oli Platt
What July 1st Means to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tomas Kaberle
Posted: 2nd July 2010 by Oli Platt in NHLComments Off on What July 1st Means to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tomas Kaberle