An All BeLEAFer

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one story shy from handing out heart attacks like a Jehovah Witness does with the Watch Tower pamphlet if they keep pulling moves like this one as of late. This Sunday has seen the the dismissal of such players from the Toronto roster such as Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and Ian White in exchange for Fredrik Sjostrom & Dion Phaneuf both of the Calgary Flames organization.

The Leafs brass have also let go the likes of Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake in exchange for Jean Sebastien Giguere both from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The trade comes late in the season where many will tell you, it's too late for them. Let's just say the Leafs chances of making the playoff's are slim to none. Even with the superstar status of Dian Phaneuf and J.S Giguere. But bet your pantyhose that Leaf General Manager, Brian Burke will stop at nothing to shore up the wingers on both left and right sides for Phil Kessel in the coming weeks. This is Burke's team now and though it has taken him an awfully long time to put HIS thumbprint on this team, rest assured, the process began on Sunday with the newly acquired players.

J.S Giguere - Goaltender



Dion Phaneuf - Defence


So what does this mean to the not so die hard fans of hockey? Or even the Leaf fans? You can once again jump on board the bandwagon and cheer the Leafs on again. Last night's game was a spectacle to behold. Phaneuf's hit just 6 minutes plus into the game got the ball rolling and the energy started. It was their night. Their game to take for the win. J.S Giguere's night to do only what one other goaltender has done before in a Leaf jersey, post a shutout in his debut. The other was Ed Belfour.

Can Giguere and Phaneuf turn this otherwise dismal club around? Not by themselves they won't, but with a little more help like they got from an otherwise dried up team who seemed to come to life once Phaneuf made a hit, they can all make a difference. Once again, I am a beLEAFer.