Okay so we have been slacking hard on the blog and what’s a better way to actually get this thing going then a post about the newest Leafs.
In case you haven’t heard, the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defensemen Francois Beauchemin to Anaheim in exchange for forward Joffery Lupul and prospect Jake Gardiner. The Leafs will also get a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013. According to GM Brain Burke, this trade has been in the works for about 3 weeks now. Here is a little info on both guys...
- Lupul is a 27 year old hailing from Saskatchewan (that’s now 10 western Canadian plays currently on the Leafs roster). He has played 26 games for the ducks this season with 5 goals and 8 assists and is a -4. He has a great shot and it a solid addition. Lupul will likely play on a line with Bozak and MacArthur, and will be getting lots of ice time starting tomorrow, says Leafs coach Ron Wilson.
- Gardiner is a 20 year old defenseman from Minnesota. He was currently playing for the University of Wisconsin but will now be joining the Toronto Marlies. Gardiner has a tally for 30 points in 30 games with his University team. He will most likely be playing in the AHL for remainder of the season. Jake has lots of potential and will be a stud in the NHL after some time developing with the Marlies.
With Beauchemin now gone the Leafs only have 2 players who are 30 or older. Those being Kaberle and Giguere, and both have questionable futures with Toronto. But more on that later.
