NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs Deal Francois Beauchemin Back to Ducks

And the first domino falls.

Brian Burke announced Wednesday that the Toronto Maple Leafs have dealt underperforming defenceman Francois Beauchemin to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenceman Jake Gardiner and a conditional draft pick.

Lupul, 27, has registered five goals and eight assists so far this season, which is a level down from his usual point production; however, he missed 24 games earlier in the season due to a back surgery, which is largely responsible for the drop in scoring.

He scored 28 goals in the 2005-06 season and has exceeded the 50-point plateau twice in his career.

Lupul is no stranger to changing teams. In his seven-year career, he has played for the Ducks in two separate stints, the Oilers and the Flyers.

Gardiner is a former first-round draft pick (17th overall by the Ducks in 2008) and is producing at a point-per-game pace while playing for the University of Wisconsin. In 30 games thus far, the blueliner has notched seven goals and 23 assists.

While Lupul is a player that can help the Leafs immediately, Gardiner looks like he may bring a load of talent to Toronto in the future.

The move is a reunion of sorts for Beauchemin and the Ducks: Beauchemin was part of the Ducks squad that won a Stanley Cup in 2007.

Beauchemin has produced two goals and 12 points in 54 games so far this season. In a recent interview, he stated he's happy to be returning to Anaheim.

"I'm excited to get back in a playoff race. I never really wanted to leave Anaheim," Beauchemin said. 

"It's been a frustrating season. We just couldn't get any consistency."

In 136 career games with the Maple Leafs, Beauchemin posted seven goals and 38 points, never quite returning to the level he reached in Anaheim.

Lupul is also excited about joining a new club. He stated in a conference call that his return to Anaheim brought a sense of misplacement. 

"Since I came back with Anaheim this season, it kind of seemed like I didn't have a place on their team," Lupul said.

"I didn't get a ton of opportunity, so I can't say I'm shocked it would happen. I talked to Burkie, talked to Ron Wilson and they said I would get an opportunity. That's all I can ask for, an opportunity to get my career back on track to where it was going before all the injuries happened."

Lupul will be suiting up with the Leafs on Thursday for their game against the New Jersey Devils. He will play on a line with Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur, a pair which should ensure a positive experience in his first game with the club.

MacArthur and Lupul played on the Medicine Hat Tigers together in the Western Hockey League.

Lupul is optimistic about his future, a sense which should give Leaf fans some comfort.

"I feel I can get my game back to where it was and above that," said Lupul.

"I know my best hockey is ahead of me…I'm going to get an opportunity to be a top-six player. That's all I can ask for is an opportunity. I'm confident. I feel I can play to a level I was at before. I'm looking forward to an opportunity to get back to playing the way I know I can."

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