Truth & Rumors > NHL

Leafs, Stars chasing Gustavsson

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With the first day of free agency in the books, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke is in Sweden with the priority of getting goaltender Jonas Gustavsson signed, sealed and delivered. Not an easy challenge, especially since the Dallas Stars -- reportedly the Leafs' No. 1 challenger for Gustavsson's services -- are now being run by recently hired general manager Joe Nieuwendyk who, as an employee of the Leafs up until last month, likely is well aware of Toronto's recruiting pitch.

Toronto Sun

Jonas Gustavsson, Getty Images Jonas Gustavsson, Getty Images
July 2, 2009  09:34 AM ET

Burke has to do something. He lost out on just about everyone yesterday!

July 2, 2009  09:55 AM ET

komisarek and exelby were great additions..... the leafs, and it pains me to say this.... are going to be a punishing team to play against..... i dont know if they'll have the offense but you wont leave without a few bruises with some of the rough style players burke has brought in...

July 2, 2009  10:16 AM ET

We all know Burke said he was in Sweden to see Gustavsson but really, here was there to go see the Sedins if they made it to free agency.

July 2, 2009  10:20 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

komisarek and exelby were great additions..... the leafs, and it pains me to say this.... are going to be a punishing team to play against..... i dont know if they'll have the offense but you wont leave without a few bruises with some of the rough style players burke has brought in...

In todays tick/tack penalty calling, there rough style of play will only result in being short-handed more often. They're not exactly a puck-possesion team that dictates play so I hope they land Gustavsson.

July 2, 2009  10:45 AM ET

The Habs will miss Lomisarek's 11 points and regular beatdowns at the hands of Lucic.

July 2, 2009  10:50 AM ET

Komisarek! Boy he's gone one day and I've already forgotten how to spell his name (LOL).

July 2, 2009  10:51 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

We all know Burke said he was in Sweden to see Gustavsson but really, here was there to go see the Sedins if they made it to free agency.

Absolutely the case.

July 2, 2009  12:01 PM ET

Leafs must be the front runner for this guy as he will get a clear chance to fight for the number one job this summer, where Dallas still has Turco. He has gone on record to say he has no problem being a back up foor even play in the minors, but there is no way he does not want to be a starter for a NHL team.

July 2, 2009  12:15 PM ET

I don't understand how Niewendyk knowing the recruiting pitch makes things harder for the Leafs? I'm sure most teams recruiting pitches are the same. Great city, great organization etc etc. I think the big factor here is whether or not he'll get a shot to be #1 and I think he has a better shot of that in Toronto.

July 2, 2009  01:56 PM ET
QUOTE:

What do you think of your top line of Cammalleri-Gomez-Gionta Popking? You think its an upgrade over Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev?

The Habs are still to small up front. I'm very surprised that they went after Gomez as he is a #2 centre at best...
They are still lacking that #1 big centre that can take on those big bad Bruins.

July 2, 2009  01:57 PM ET
QUOTE:

As for Gus,his best chance to see minutes would be in Toronto.

He would also see a lot of rubber there.

July 2, 2009  02:00 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

The Habs are still to small up front. I'm very surprised that they went after Gomez as he is a #2 centre at best...They are still lacking that #1 big centre that can take on those big bad Bruins.

Agreed. I can't make much sense of what they tried to do up there in Montreal.

July 2, 2009  03:41 PM ET

Word Gustavsson will make up his mind by Saturday. I have a bad feeling that he's going to Dallas... Burke isn't having much luck over the last couple of weeks...ie draft/free agency.

July 2, 2009  05:15 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

I don't understand how Niewendyk knowing the recruiting pitch makes things harder for the Leafs? I'm sure most teams recruiting pitches are the same. Great city, great organization etc etc. I think the big factor here is whether or not he'll get a shot to be #1 and I think he has a better shot of that in Toronto.

Yes, and Burke wasn't there when Niewendyk became a Leaf. So I'm sure he will put his own spin on it. Besides, the kid is from Sweden. Toronto is a whole lot more like Sweden then Dallas.
We get snow storms so bad that we have to call in the Army to help us shovel out!

July 2, 2009  10:35 PM ET

Does somebody really care, what Sweden's third or fourth ??? best ( totally unproven) goalie, or the Dull-ass Stools or the Toon-town Maple Lox are going to do.

July 2, 2009  11:04 PM ET

Apparently, Burke is sweetening the deal by promising Gustavsson free boxing lessons so he'll fit in with all of the new Leafs!

July 3, 2009  12:43 AM ET
QUOTE:

What do you think of your top line of Cammalleri-Gomez-Gionta Popking? You think its an upgrade over Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev?

i dont know if thats any better

July 3, 2009  07:42 AM ET
QUOTE:

What do you think of your top line of Cammalleri-Gomez-Gionta Popking? You think its an upgrade over Tanguay-Koivu-Kovalev?

Boy, there's a lot of PopKings out there Boston (LOL). I think it's a slight improvement, especially at center. Koivu never really did it for me, and I've stated that for a long time. I mean, compare Camalleri's numbers with his...it's not even close. As far as Kovalev, he is the most frustrating player ever, so I won't miss him either. It looks like Gainey took my advice (like he actually called me) and got rid of as many players whose names begin with "K" as he could. Oh, and by the way, I won't miss Higgins either. I don't think he could handle the pressure of playing in Montreal. As for those who say they need a big center, I agree. It would actually be good to have big center on the two top lines, but that's a fantasy. Perhaps Uncle Bob isn't finished yet. The summer is still young.

July 3, 2009  09:19 AM ET
QUOTE:

I hope you are wrong.

I hope I'm wrong too.

 
July 3, 2009  09:32 AM ET

i UNDERSTAND BURKE IS TRYING TO PUT HIS STAMP ON THE TEAM BUT COME ON GIMME A BREAK, I WAS EXPECTING BIG MOVES FROM BURKE BUT THE ONLY SENSIBLE MOVE HE MADE WAS KOMISERIK. WHAT WAS THE KUBINA TRADE, HE BASICALLY GOT NOTHING FOR IT AND WHY DOES HE NEED TO CLEAR CAP SPACE WHEN HE ALREADY HAS SO MUCH CAP. PERSONALY I LIKE KUBINA'S OFFENCE AND I BELIVE BURKE GOT WAY TOO LESS FOR THIS TRADE. IN SHORT I HOPE GUSTAVVSON SIGNS AND A COUPLE OF MOVES TO SEE OFFENSIVE TALENT.

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