Luke Schenn

I wrote a speculation article a few days ago discussing the possibility that the Philadelphia Flyers could be in trade talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding highly-touted defenseman Luke Schenn. It seems that all that speculation had some legs after all.

According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Flyers GM Paul Holmgren and Leafs GM Brian Burke have been officially reported as talking to one another about a possible James van Riemsdyk—Luke Schenn trade.

The San Jose Sharks have extended Logan Couture to a two-year $5.75 million contract.

This is a solid signing as Couture is still an RFA and will not be eligible for UFA status for a while.

Logan Couture has apparently told some people that his friend Drew Doughty has expressed frustrations regarding contract negotiations with the Kings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs began the 2010-2011 season on fire winning their first four games of the season, instantly dispelling critics views on the team. Many prognosticators had them finishing in the cellar of the Eastern Conference, but after the hot start, the view of the Maple Leafs instantly changed from a surprising pessimism, to nauseating optimism in Hogtown.

With another season behind them, it appears as if the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has some tough decisions to make with respect to a number of restricted and unrestricted free agents this summer.

Heading into the 2011-12 season the Maple Leafs have a total of 13 players under contract, eating up a total of $36,890,000.

The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their charge towards a playoff berth, defeating the always tough Boston Bruins in their own barn by a score of 4-3 in a shootout.

It was just a year ago, but for Luke Schenn, last season probably feels like a lifetime ago. Especially on the ice.

Rolling into his sophomore season after an impressive rookie campaign, expectations were high, and for Toronto's fifth-overall pick in the 2008 Entry Draft, that meant high expectations piled on top of previously towering ones. 

And as the story usually goes for Leafs in his situation, well, it didn't go well. 

Before you read this, you should know that I am not an overzealous fan thinking the Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup this year. For the record, I am unbiased, and I am merely a reporter stating fact.

The fact is, the Leafs are on an upswing.

The team from last season is unrecognizable to the team they are now. Slowly, Brian Burke has been putting the blocks together for a run at the Cup. It all started with the Phil Kessel deal—it will forever be analyzed, there is no stopping it, lets move on.

With the 2010-11 season winding down it appears as if our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs will be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

Goaltending. For most NHL teams, goaltender is the single most important position, and, in many respects, has the biggest impact on a team's success, both pro and con.