Grading the Toronto Maple Leafs Most Notorious Canada Day Moves
The Toronto Maple Leafs have historically made their mark on Canada Day.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have to be the most well-known sports franchise in Canada. No offense to the Toronto Raptors or Toronto Blue Jays, but the buds still run the city. That is despite a disappointment for the past 54 years.
Regardless, “Canada’s team” loves to make headlines on the country’s birthday.
That may be good or bad. Here are seven of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent headline transactions on Canada Day. (stats from hockey-reference.com and cap info from capfriendly.com).
2010: Brian Burke Adds a Pesky Former 1st Rounder
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished as the second-worst team in the NHL, behind only the laughable Edmonton Oilers. In response to that, general manager Brian Burke believed the team could use some size with a touch of offense.
To do that, he would sign a former first-round pick from the 2001 NHL Draft. That man was Colby Armstrong. His contract would pay him $3 million per year for three seasons.
What did the Lloyminister native do to earn that contract? For one, it was a weak free-agent class, which elevated his value. Another was the flashes of potential he showed in his rookie season and the ’08-’09 season.
He was more known for being a physical player, and that’s what he provided. The offensive production did not come along with it, though. He would put up 26 points in 79 regular-season games wearing the blue and white sweater.
Burke would go back on his decision to sign Armstrong two years into the three-year deal. The contract got bought out, and the forward would suit up for the rival Montreal Canadians the following season. It was a short stint that did not pan out for Colby or the team.
While it wasn’t the team’s worst move in the world, it did not work at all. Considering Burke was hoping to revitalize Colby Armstrong’s offense, the logic was there, but two very disappointing seasons was enough to cut ties. The $3 million cap hit remains a question, though.