Burke drafts his plan for Leafs

As with any major construction project, it takes a while to see the results.

But, yesterday, as general manager Brian Burke continued the teardown of the Maple Leafs, he added some valuable bricks and mortar for the foundation of a squad that will eventually be more competitive, possibly as early as next season.

Burke didn't get the No.1 draft pick he coveted; an austere market didn't allow for that kind of home run. But, by moving out Dominic Moore and Nik Antropov, two players headed for unrestricted free agency, the GM bulked up his stock of draft picks.

He also didn't take on any additional contracts that carry into next season, so he should have about $17 million (all figures U.S.) to spend this summer even though he already has 16 players under contract. That should allow for some quick rebuilding either through free agency or the ability to trade for contracts.

"We're positioned well from a cap standpoint. I think you folks know I'm not big on doing nothing. We intend to be aggressive this summer on a lot of different fronts," Burke said.

The Leafs also shut down red-hot goaltender Vesa Toskala for the rest of the season so he could undergo hip and groin surgery. He'll be replaced by ineffective Senators netminder Martin Gerber, who was claimed on re-entry waivers as a stop-gap measure.

Toronto, then, has weakened itself considerably by removing two of its top four scorers and its No.1 goaltender.

That, despite Burke's protests that his team will strive to win every game, will make victories difficult down the stretch.

But it should lift the value of Toronto's No.1 pick, possibly giving the team a shot at top prospect John Tavares in the lottery.

Beyond that top pick, the draft will hold much intrigue for Leaf fans this year. Toronto went from having two picks in the first four rounds to having five, with the possibility of a sixth.

"This is an opportunity to put some draft picks back into the hopper. It was an important part of the rebuilding process here," Burke said.

He sent Moore to Buffalo for a second-round pick and Antropov to the New York Rangers, also for a second-rounder. There is the possibility of an additional fourth-round pick coming Toronto's way in the Antropov deal should the Rangers win two playoff rounds.

In one of the more creative deals of the day, Burke essentially traded cap space to Tampa for a fourth-round pick. The Leafs sent the Lightning minor-league defenceman Richard Petiot for three injured players with expiring contracts (goaltender Olaf Kolzig, Jamie Heward and Andy Rogers) plus a fourth-round pick. For covering off the remainder of those contracts, an amount in the area of $500,000, the Leafs get that additional pick.

"The trainer is not going to have to tape my wrists from doing cartwheels, but I'm pleased with what was done," Burke said.

In addition to claiming Gerber, who also has an expiring contract, the Leafs picked up hard-nosed defenceman Erik Reitz on re-entry waivers from the New York Rangers. The 26-year-old from Detroit played 42 games for Minnesota and New York this season, picking up a goal, an assist and 65 penalty minutes.

Reitz is currently wearing a walking cast after taking a shot off his ankle. He could be ready to play as early as this weekend, but his absence gives a temporary reprieve to Jonas Frogren who was going to be demoted yesterday. Reitz becomes a restricted free agent this summer and the Leafs will have a chance to evaluate him down the stretch.

The Leafs did send forward Tim Stapleton back to the Marlies yesterday.

The team also announced that defenceman Tomas Kaberle will be out 10 days to two weeks after suffering another injury in his right hand. He's just back from missing a month with a broken bone in that hand.