PHANEUF TO TORONTO IN 7-PLAYER BLOCKBUSTER
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defensemen Dion Phaneuf and Keith Aulie, and winger Fredrik Sjostrom from the Calgary Flames for defenseman Ian White, winger Niklas Hagman, center Matt Stajanand forward Jamal Mayers.
What does it give the Toronto Maple Leafs
As the centerpiece in this deal Phaneuf is exactly what Leafs GM Brian Burke wants in a defenseman: a high-volume shooter with a huge shot, who's also physical and edgy in his own end. Like earlier acquisition Phil Kessel, 22, Phaneuf is young (24) and locked in to a big contract until 2014. So, like Kessel, Phaneuf becomes a cornerstone for the Leafs' ongoing rebuilding plan. Aulie is a couple of years away from NHL action but is a big, defensive-minded blue-liner, and Sjostrom should be helpful right away on Toronto's penalty-killing unit.
What does it give the Calgary Flames
The foursome heading to Calgary is impressive--even if it doesn't include a player of Phaneuf's stature talent-wise--and the Flames are obviously hoping the newcomers will jump-start their title hopes. Stajan is an average offensive center who gets a shot to play on one of Calgary's top two lines, while Hagman is an underrated goal-scorer who provides instant sniper skills with speed for the top lines. Meanwhile, White is equally underrated as a mobile minute-muncher from the blue-line. Mayers brings toughness and energy as a lower-line option. Stajan and Mayers are both unrestricted free agents after this season, while White is a restricted free agent in the summer, so if this big move doesn't turn around Calgary's Stanley Cup hopes for this season, they'll at least have a lot of flexibility to re-tool in the off-season.
Fantasy impact
