Tomas Kaberle is probably still the most attractive asset the Leafs have

While Burke will obviously not want to bring back some of these players, the remaining ones will likely get raises to stay.Thelikelihood of any trades happening before he decides who is staying and who is going is not high, and with the team performing like it is, I can't see him being in any hurry.There are already rumors that Burke and the Leafs are actively trying to shop underachieving center man Matt Stajan.With Tomas Kaberleeligible at the end of next season, I expect to see Ian White locked into a long-term deal before the trade deadline. I think, based on the "building" philosophy, Phil Oreskavic and Carl Gunnarsson are likely toreceive long term deals as well.If there are any goaltending questions still left in Toronto, they will not be answered by Vesa Toskala. Despite his vastly improved play as of late, except against Buffalo, he is simply too big of a gamble for his price tag.There will be one of the biggest crops of free agent goalies I can remember this year Including the likes of Evgeni Nabakov. Though the Leafs wouldn't be interested Nabakov, there are several others including an old "fan favorite" (chuckle), Andrew Raycroft, who could be anadequate back up to Gustavsson at a much lower price.If the Leafs decide they can make some kind of splash within the five-year contract they gave Kessel, then they are also likely to be shopping for a number one center. Ilya Kovelchuk is reportedly after somewhere in the neighborhood of $11 million a season.

Hello, is this Patrick Marleau Several Toronto Maple Leafs players are on their ways to career years, including UFA Alex Ponikarovski. At 29-years old, this may be not only a career year, but also a career-making year for him. If Pony manages to put up a career year in points, it would likely mean a new multi-year deal.Tomas Kaberle is probably still the most attractive asset the Leafs have. Although his point production has tailed off a little as of late, and he's not quite at the game pace he was a week ago (snicker), he would still be a welcome addition to a team like the Detroit Red Wings, or Lord help us all, the Pittsburgh Penguins.(By the way, if the Penguins team did become a dynasty-type team, what would they be called A nickname I mean, what could you possibly call them I don't think you could give them a new nickname.)Mike Van Ryn is another interesting case.

Van Ryn came to the Leafs in 2008 and has only played 27 games for the team. This team, now far removed from the horrendous start they had to the season, has shown that they can play with just about anyone on any given night.They are not a cup contender, although they probably have what it takes to get to the playoffs They aren't really that far off. I'd hate to see him receive the same kind of support Sundin did, but I don't think that this city has seen the likes of Brian Burke at the helm, so it's a safe bet that this team will be a contender in the near future.It is an exciting, if not exhausting, time to be a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and I can't wait to see what's around the corner!. So the Winter Break is upon us, and for anyone associated with Juventus, it couldn't come fast enough. The team and manager need some respite from the seemingly endlesscriticism raining down on them, the fans need a break from the heartbreaking losses, and the board needs time to look at the team anditself to make some adjustments. With four straight wins in the league, including away victories over Lazio and Roma, the fans could not have been happier Then came the first bump.