Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 5:00pm

LEAFS LAND KOLZIG

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Olaf Kolzig, defenseman Jamie Heward, defenseman Andy Rogers and a fourth-round draft pick in 2009 from the Tampa Bay Lightning for defenseman Richard Petiot.

What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
Kolzig and Heward combine make roughly $2 Million this season, so Tampa Bay won't have to pay the balance of their salaries for the rest of this season (which is important for a rebuilding team trying to save cash on a lost season). Kolzig is done for the season because of an injured arm and Heward is out indefinitely due to a concussion, and both become unrestricted free agents following this season; so the Maple Leafs are effectively paying off their salaries the rest of the way to land the strapping Rogers and the pick. Rogers was a first-round pick in 2004 by the Bolts (No.30 overall), and is the type of oversized-but-skilled prospect new Toronto GM Brian Burke loves. Adding him plus a fourth-rounder as well is a bit of a coup for Burke, considering all he paid was the salaries and Petiot.

What does it give the Tampa Bay Lightning
Petiot is a solid minor-league defenseman but not really a prospect, so this appears to be a way for Tampa to get rid of some veteran salary down the stretch. The price they pay for that is giving up Rogers (who may yet become a solid player, despite the fact he's not having a great season at Norfolk) plus the fourth-rounder.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jamie Heward D

Olaf Kolzig G

Andy Rogers D

a fourth-round draft pick in 2009

Tampa Bay Lightning

Richard Petiot D