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Toronto Maple Leafs: Moments From 2016

By Eduardo Razo

Oct 6, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) reacts aftyer scoring agoal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of a preseason hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) reacts aftyer scoring agoal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period of a preseason hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) shoots the puck in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Ducks 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) shoots the puck in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Ducks 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /

Trading The Captain To A Division Rival

Build them up became the motto for the front office when it came to selling off their veterans. Dion Phaneuf sat at the top of that list of veterans who the franchise wanted to move on.

Nonetheless, his low trade value and high cap hit proved difficult. However, half a year under Mike Babcock saw the captain’s play improve. Then when the time came, Toronto pulled the trigger on a deal.

In late February, the Ottawa Senators made a rare trade with the Maple Leafs. In addition to Phaneuf, Ottawa acquired forwards Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey and Ryan Rupert, and defenseman Cody Donaghey.

Meanwhile, Toronto acquired defenseman Jared Cowen and forwards Milan Michalek, Colin Greening and Tobias Lindberg, along with Ottawa’s second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

With this deal, Toronto put an end to the Brian Burke-Dave Nonis era.

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