NEW YORK - Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs expecting a fire-sale of veteran players at the National Hockey League trade deadline next week could be disappointed. That's the word right now from president and general manager Brian Burke, who is preaching caution amid a frenzy of anticipation leading up to the trade cut-off on March 4.
"I'm not nearly as anxious to get rid of people as the media thinks I am," Burke said as the Leafs knocked off the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime at Madison Square Garden Sunday night. "We've got some guys who I think will be important parts of what we're doing as our team improves. So, I don't anticipate a large number of players moving from our organization. Obviously, we'll have to see what comes up in the next week or so."
The Leafs and Rangers were scoreless heading into the third period, then erupted for three goals in a 2:24 span early in the final frame. Toronto rookie John Mitchell banged in a rebound to start the flurry. Scott Gomez knotted the score with a solo dash less than two minutes later, only to have Leafs defenceman Ian White beat Henrik Lundqvist with a wrist shot 25 seconds after the Gomez tally.
Michal Rozsival tied the game with just 40 seconds remaining to send it to overtime.
Burke, watching from the Garden press box with assistant David Nonis, has made it clear he hopes to begin recouping draft picks that were yielded in recent trades for players such as Vesa Toskala, Mikhail Grabovski and Jamal Mayers.
"We're in a good position because we have cap room and cash, so we can take players back," said the GM. "That's why I'm not anticipating a fire sale. We're also looking to improve our club."
In the NHL's current economic climate, it's unlikely Burke will be able to acquire draft choices without assuming salary from his trading partners. But, he knows he has to be prudent.
"So far, all that's been thrown at me for taking money back are mistakes - bad contracts," Burke said.
"The key here is not next year. Where we have to be alert and careful is (taking on contracts that extend through) the 2010-11 season. If there is an impact, financially, on our league, that's when it's going to happen. But, if we get a quality player with a contract that runs through that season, we're going to take him."
Burke confirmed that Tomas Kaberle's agent, Rick Curran, has talked with him about a list of NHL cities the defenceman might consider in waiving his no-trade clause, but he said fellow blue-liner Pavel Kubina - who wound up firing a one-timer from the point that Niklas Hagman deflected for the overtime winner - is not similarly inclined.
"Kubina wants to stay; he doesn't want to waive his (no-trade) clause or give me a list of teams and that's fine with me," said Burke. "I like the way he's played the last while and he's a quality person. With Tomas, his agent wants to keep some control over the process.
"(Former GM) John Ferguson was smart is assuring these no-trade clauses are lifted if we miss the playoffs. Kubina doesn't want to provide me a list and he'll take his chances over the summer. Kaberle's agent wants to maintain some control, but it's highly unlikely Tomas is going anywhere. I've said that a number of times"
Burke insisted the broken hand that has sidelined Kaberle since Jan. 29 has not impacted trade discussions involving the veteran defenceman.
"No one's asking for an injury discount and they wouldn't get one if they did," said the GM.
Burke caused a minor fury two weeks ago by saying that Nik Antropov will not be offered a contract extension, but he admitted Sunday night the veteran forward has impressed him in recent games.
"He has certainly responded, though that's not why I said what I said - it was out of frustration (over Antropov's play)," Burke confessed. "But, he's done well since then, so we'll have to wait and see."
Antropov remains a strong candidate to be traded, which would obviously negate the contract issue. The native of Kazakhstan has seven goals in 12 games since Jan. 29.
The match Sunday was a skirmish between a couple of ice-cold teams - the Leafs and Rangers combining for four wins in 20 games prior to Sunday night. Patience is running razor-thin in the Big Apple for a team expected to be a Stanley Cup threat this season; boos frequently rained down from the Garden gallery during the encounter with the Leafs.
The game was preceded by a stirring ceremony in which the Rangers retired the jersey numbers of former players Harry Howell, No. 3, and Andy Bathgate, No. 9. Ironically, it was 45 years ago Sunday - Feb. 22, 1964 - that the Rangers traded Bathgate to the Leafs in a multi-player swap that sent Bob Nevin, Dick Duff and Arnie Brown to New York.
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