The Toronto Maple Leafs are finally in rebuild mode. Leafs nation saw a partial rebuild under former GM Brian Burke who came in with a bang acquiring now Leafs leading scorer Phil Kessel and then trading Stajan, Hagman, White and Mayers to the Flames for now Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf. Eventually this led to trades for James Van Riemsdyk and Joffrey Lupul, Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson
Now we are witnessing the Leafs tear down. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch from a transaction perspective. Today Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli were moved to Nashville for Nashvilles 2015 First round selection and Brendan Leipsic. Leipsic is a former CHL scoring champion and one of the top rookie point producers in the American Hockey League this season. The Leafs strike early by moving two players they couldn't get signed to extensions and bolster the impressive group of young forwards on their way through the system.
New Leafs prospect Leipsic joins OHL scoring champ Connor Brown with the Leafs AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies. Both players are top 5 in rookie scoring in the AHL and should become the top line for the Marlies as the team battles it's way back from a rough start. The Leafs top prospect William Nylander will have some strong options on the wing as if he hadn't already with Frattin, Abbott and Mckegg having good seasons thus far.
Marlies will get more talent next season to develop in Gauthier, Verhaeghe and Andreas Johnson. Rinat Valiev is 2 years away. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) February 15, 2015
As Paul Hendrick points out there are also players graduating from juniors next season led by Leafs 2013 1st rounder Fredrik Gautier. The 6'4 220lb Gautier will continue to grow as he makes the jump to the AHL in what will undoubtedly become a Calder Cup contender. Joining him will be Andreas Johnson who will likely be coming over from the SHL and Toronto born Carter Verhaege.
Looking forward there are rumblings of potential Bozak, Lupul and Winnik trades before the deadline as teams look to beef up for playoff runs and the Leafs continue to tear down as they build for what we all hope will be a much brighter future. Toronto now has two first round picks for the first time since drafting Tyler Biggs 22nd and Stuart Percy at 25th overall in the 2011 Entry Draft
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