CBC-Sports

Giguere deal could be key for Leafs

February 2, 2010 10:02 AM | Posted by   Craig Simpson  

The NHL trade deadline may be just over a month away, but apparently nobody told that to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames. Sunday’s action has not been seen – nor was it expected – on a non-trade deadline day in years.

The seven-player swap between the Leafs and the Flames and the subsequent deal between Toronto and the Anaheim Ducks stoked fires amongst the media who have been lamenting the absence of NHL trades for years.

There has been plenty to talk about and dissect in Leafs Nation.

The biggest of the trades was clearly the one that sent Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie from Calgary to Toronto for Ian White, Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers.

But it’s the deal with Anaheim that brought Jean-Sebastien Giguere to Toronto for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake, that may have the most positive, lasting impact on the franchise.

First off, the fact that Brian Burke was somehow able to unload Blake's contract (two years left with a $4 million US cap hit) is reason to celebrate.

But to also send Toskala and his 3.66 goals-against average and .876 save percentage packing and replace him with Giguere is a worthwhile gamble.

First swing a strike

Toronto's Brian Burke is a talk-loud-and-carry-a-big-stick type of general manager, and he isn’t afraid to take risks. His first big swing as Leafs GM looks like it was a strike at this point, as Phil Kessel has been an unmitigated disaster so far.

With Toronto sinking close to the bottom of the NHL, the loss of a Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin or Cam Fowler alone already stings Leafs fans.

Trading for Phaneuf puts a big salary cap strain for the Leafs on defence ($26.625 million for seven players), but if you are just judging on talent and potential alone, Burke got the best of his deal with Calgary.

At 24, not only is Phaneuf already a very good impact player, but the 20-year-old six-foot-six prospect Keith Aulie has great upside potential as an NHL defenceman.

That brings us back to Giguere. I think this move may be the one that provides Toronto with the biggest short- and long-term impact.

With the worst goals against per game and penalty killing in the NHL, goaltending has been a problem all year for Toronto.

Rookie Jonas Gustavsson has shown promise at times, but is nowhere near establishing himself as an NHL starter. Leaf management had to be concerned that their goalie of the future could be burnt out and lacking confidence after just one season.

Wait and see approach with Monster

Given the health issues with his heart that he has dealt with and his inconsistency, making a long term financial commitment on Gustavsson is not a prudent decision.

He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the term, and with just one below-average season of experience under his belt and a veteran starter like Giguere under contract for another year, Burke has bought himself time and leverage.

There is no reason to rush Gustavsson into a starting role, and no leverage for him to demand a big payday.

As for Giguere, at 32 this veteran of 477 games will be motivated and inspired to play his best hockey.

He is getting a second chance to establish himself as a starter in the biggest hockey market in the world and is being reunited with his goalie coach, Francois Allaire, with whom he had his most success.

Giguere has good career numbers with 217 wins, a 2.52 GAA and .913 save percentage, but it’s his ability to take his game to another level that's impressive.

Twice he has taken his team to the Stanley Cup final, winning the Conn Smythe award in a losing cause back in 2003, and then taking the Cup in 2007.

With him having a wealth of experience to draw upon and being handed a gift-wrapped opportunity like this one, I think he will respond to the challenge and flourish.

Bringing in Giguere may be the critical step in the rebuilding process that fans of Leafs Nation have been patiently waiting for.

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