Brian Burke has managed to swindle teams out of quality players for quite a while now. Here's a look back a just a few of my favourite moments of Burke's tenure as Leafs GM.
Jan 31, 2010
Toronto Maple Leafs trade:
Matt Stajan
Jamal Mayers
Ian White
Niklas Hagman
to Calgary Flames for:
Dion Phaneuf
Keith Aulie
Fredrik Sjostrum
SINCE THE TRADE: Matt Stajan is the only player who remains on the team, making over $3 million on the cap and finds himself in and out of the line-up as a healthy scratch. Jamal Mayers currently plays for the Blackhawks. Ian White is now on Detroit and Niklas Hagman was claimed by Anaheim off re-entry waivers.
Feb 9, 2011
Toronto Maple Leafs trade:
Francois Beauchemin
to Anaheim Ducks for:
Joffrey Lupul
Jake Gardiner
SINCE THE TRADE: Joffrey Lupul is having a career year being amongst the top in the NHL in the scoring race all season. Jake Gardiner is a speedy young defender with the poise of a 10-year veteran. And as for Francois Beauchemin... well, im not sure but I no longer have to yell at the TV 5 times a game saying "Why is Beauchemin behind the opposing net EVERY SHIFT... HES A DEFENSEMAN"
Feb 18, 2011
Toronto Maple Leafs trade:
Tomas Kaberle
to Boston Bruins for:
Joe Colborne
1st round pick
2nd round pick (this was conditional on Boston making it to the cup or Kaberle re-signing with the Bruins)
SINCE THE TRADE: Boston won the cup, in part despite Kaberle who didn't play very well. Boston decided it was best to cut their loses then and let Kaberle to the free agent market. Kaberle signed with Carolina in the off-season and just today was traded to Montreal for Jaroslav Spacek, who is currently injured.
It would seem Boston got off easy because they aren't swallowing a ton of salary by just letting go of Kaberle. Can you imagine if Burke traded Kaberle for Spacek straight up... Scary thoughts...
Way to go Burkie...
