• A lot has changed in past year for Maple Leafs
• Brian Boyle‘s arrival signals new day in Toronto
• Maple Leafs have cap space to do more
TORONTO – There was no need for Lou Lamoriello to say a word publicly after dealing a second-round pick for Brian Boyle.
His actions spoke loud enough.
This was a statement of intent from the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager. On the surface, yes, it looked exactly like the large majority of deadline deals in the NHL – with Boyle, a veteran on an expiring contract, going from a non-playoff team to one with higher aspirations in exchange for a pick and minor-leaguer (Byron Froese).
But consider for just a moment where we’ve come from here:
• On Feb. 9, 2016, I wrote "now we can truly label this a rebuild for the Toronto Maple Leafs" after they sent Dion Phaneuf to Ottawa in a stunning, nine-player move.
• On Feb. 22, 2016, I wrote "even though the Leafs are a long way from becoming a contender…" as part of my analysis of the trade that sent rentals Roman Polak and Nick Spaling to San Jose for futures.
Dead wrong on both counts, and I have no regrets.
It was sound thinking before we knew Auston Matthews would be a Leaf – not to mention a star – and before it was certain that Mitch Marner and William Nylander were slam-dunk selections as well. It was before the NHL debuts of Connor Brown and Zach Hyman, and before the acquisitions even of Frederik Andersen, Nikita Zaitsev and Connor Carrick.
It was a year ago, and a lifetime ago.
"It’s going to be very exciting to watch what those (young) guys can do," said Boyle, after being awoken with news of the trade during a pre-game nap on Monday afternoon. "When I came down to Tampa (in 2014) I was excited about the opportunity and there was a younger team, relatively untested and we went to the Cup final that year. So the potential and the opportunity is there, and I think the skill level is for sure there.
"They’re just going to keep getting better and better with the coaching staff they have there. I think it’s just a great opportunity."
Not long ago, the notion of Lamoriello trading a second-round pick at this deadline for short-term help would have seemed crazy. A complete abandonment of the Shanaplan. I mean, he just went through an aggressive teardown to stockpile assets like that.
The Lighting will receive the best of the three 2017 second-rounders currently in the Leafs coffer – the one that originated in Ottawa, San Jose or Toronto – and it’s hard to quibble with the acquisition cost.
Life moves fast and the Leafs have given Lamoriello a reason to live for today.
They sat 13th overall in points percentage entering play Monday, and the underlying numbers suggest they’re probably even better than that. With the focus here squarely set on getting a young team immediate playoff experience, Boyle’s addition makes a ton of sense.
"I think we have good depth in lots of spots, not as much at centre ice," coach Mike Babcock said after Saturday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Montreal.
Boyle immediately becomes the veteran coach’s Swiss Army knife. He’ll kill penalties and win important faceoffs. He won’t need to be hidden from tough competition and should assume heavier minutes than either Ben Smith or Frederik Gauthier previously soaked up in the fourth-line centre position.
His arrival signals a new day in Toronto.
The fact Lamoriello declined to speak with reporters after completing the deal hinted at the potential of more moves to come before Wednesday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.
The Leafs have somewhere in the neighbourhood of $16-million in cap space available should they choose to make use of their long-term injury room and it’s believed they remain eager to do so. That could help them make an upgrade on the blue line, or restock the draft pick cupboard while taking on a bad contract, or perhaps even both.
Everything seems possible now.
Who knows, the Boyle trade may even end up as something more than a rental even though the veteran centre is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He absolutely loved living and playing in Tampa and his wife, Kristen, is currently pregnant with the couple’s second child. But there was genuine excitement in Boyle’s voice at the idea of joining another Original Six team with this collection of talent.
It’s been a strange, unexpected season in the Atlantic Division.
The Lightning started as Stanley Cup favourites and the Leafs were an unknown quantity with zero expectations, and suddenly Boyle found himself rushing for a flight to San Jose in anticipation of a Tuesday game with his new team.
"It’s interesting when you get woken up from a nap expecting to play and you’re no longer with that club," he said. "It’s a lot of different things. It’s a little bit of what do I do first? Do I start packing a bag? Do I take a shower? It’s different.
"It really is a different feeling."
In Tampa, yes.
And in Toronto.
