Brian Burke finally got something going for the Leafs today, signing defenceman Brett Lebda to a two year deal worth 1.45 million per season. The former Red Wing had 8 points last season in sixty three games played.
I’m having a hard time defending or slamming this signing for two reasons; A) It came out of left field, and B) I’m not sure if I’d consider it a bad signing or not. 1.45 million dollars isn’t a lot of money for a defenceman, but Burke has enough problems back there already. The hideous Jeff Finger contract, along with a pending Kaberle trade, and Luke Schenn looking to be re-signed next summer create a bit of a headache for Burke already. Adding another defenceman to the mix seems a little dicey right now.
However, if this signing says anything, it’s that Burke likely has a solid offer or two for Tomas Kaberle and is confident that a trade will happen.
Phaneuf – Kaberle
Gunnarsson – Beauchemin
Komisarek – Schenn
Lebda – Finger
Eight defencemen. If you have to pick two to eliminate it’s obviously Kaberle and Finger. What Burke chooses to do with Jeff Finger is yet to be seen. And what does this mean for young players like Keith Aulie who are trying to crack the big lineup, are they already out of the race?
Seems like a slow off-season for the Maple Leafs so far, but moves are coming. It simply can’t go down any other way.
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Original Story:
http://maplestirup.com/2010/07/leafs-...
