Brian Burke Rolls Dice, Says Maple Leafs Will Stay Active

TORONTO -- Brian Burke was quick to admit he was rolling the dice on acquiring Joffrey Lupul (right) from the Anaheim Ducks, but it's a bet the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs believes will have a huge payback.

Lupul and top college prospect Jake Gardiner along with a conditional pick in the 2013 draft were dealt for veteran defenseman Francois Beauchemin, who fled the then-salary-cap-strapped Ducks as a free agent in 2009 to sign with the Maple Leafs.

Gardiner is the prize of the trade and it would have been a coup for Burke to get him simply in return for Beauchemin. Gardiner has averaged a point per game with the University of Wisconsin this season and was chosen by the Ducks in the first round of the 2008 entry draft

But by adding Lupul to the deal, Burke is hoping a) his health concerns are behind him and b) Lupul has a burning desire to get back to where his game was a couple of years ago.

The three-time 20-goal scorer had surgery to fix a herniated disk in his back in December 2009. He developed a blood infection during his second surgery, requiring months of antibiotics and bed rest before he could get back in NHL shape. He returned to the Ducks lineup in December.

He remains on antibiotics, but Burke said that was standard procedure for the type of infection he had.

"There is a human element in all of this. You bet on people every time you make the trade and that is the bet," said Burke. "If this was just buying cars or buying livestock, it would be a lot easier. But we are betting on human beings, and I bet on Joffrey Lupul because of his character and his skill level.

"I believe he thinks he has something to prove. ... We are comfortable (his health) is not an issue. I believe he has a lot of hockey left in him. This is a guy who can score goals."

Lupul had five goals and 13 points in 26 games with the Ducks this season. He said his health concerns are in the past and he's looking forward to going to a team that will give him more ice time.

"Since I came back with Anaheim this season, it kind of seemed I did not have a place on their team,'' he said. "I didn't get a ton of opportunity and I can't say I am completely shocked."

He said both Burke and coach Ron Wilson told him he would get every chance to prove himself.

"That was the first thing they said to me, you will get an opportunity and after coming back from injury, that is all I can ask for, to get my career back on track," said Lupul. "In speaking to them I will get my opportunity to be a top six player. I am confident. I feel I can play up to the level before this injury stuff happened."

The deal marks the second straight year that Burke got the jump on the trade derby leading into the trade deadline, which this season is Feb. 28.

Last year, he acquired Dion Phaneuf from Calgary and Jean-Sebastien Giguere from Anaheim weeks before the trade deadline.

"I think when you get to the trading deadline it is kind of like a stampede. There is lots of noise and lots of confusion and I think it is much more difficult to act with clarity and purpose at the deadline,'' said Burke. "It is hard to stay focused "

But Burke is not done.

"You can expect more moves. We're not done. We continue to be active. We have a nothing imminent, but that of course can change with a phone call."

The Leafs are winners of four of their last five games and went into Wednesday's slate of games in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, eight points out a playoff berth.

Burke said the trade isn't a signal that the Leafs have given up on making the postseason.

"You can expect more moves. We're not done. We continue to be active. We have a nothing imminent, but that of course can change with a phone call."
-- Brian Burke "It is far from clear we can make the playoffs if we stayed where we were. It is also far from clear that we won't make the playoffs. Right now we are on a good roll and we have to keep that going,'' he said.

Toronto's next game is Thursday against visiting New Jersey, and Lupul, who was in Vancouver with the Ducks when the trade was announced, is expected to be in the lineup.

And as much as Burke likes Gardiner, he said he would not ask him to leave college and turn pro right away.

"We project him as a top four defenseman, but he is not ready yet and we are not going to disrupt his progress for this year."

By sending Beauchemin to Anaheim, Burke is making room for a younger defenseman and the plan is to promote Keith Aulie from the AHL's Toronto Marlies when a roster spot opens up.

Meanwhile, goalie Jonas Gustavsson left Wednesday's game after the first period, sparking rumors of a pending deal.

But Burke said Gustavsson experienced an elevated heart rate ? which has happened before. He was checked by doctors and cleared to play.

"We do not view it as serious but it is the heart and we are taking precautions,'' said Burke.

Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/09/brian-burke-rolls-dice-says-maple-leafs-will-stay-active/

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