There isn’t much to look at when it comes to the on-ice product put forth by the Toronto Maple Leafs.  To that end, we’ll definitely spend some time reviewing their player transactions.  Here’s a review of the last couple days.

ALEXEI PONIKAROVSKY to PITTSBURGH – LUCA CAPUTI and MARTIN SKOULA to TORONTO

Ponikarovsky was bound to be traded, so the question is then related to the return.  I have to believe there was a small market for Poni, given his contract situation (UFA come July 1) and play.  Pittsburgh was clearly in play, beyond that there probably wasn’t much.  He doesn’t provide enough offense for teams like Boston, or enough of the “intangibles” for teams like Washington or San Jose.  Given that, I like this trade.  Skoula is clearly a salary dump (as we find out later).  Luca Caputi is a local kid that’s crazy about playing for the Leafs, which is good.  From what I’ve heard, read, and seen (thank you Internet), Caputi plays typical Burke hockey.  Not the best skater, but he drives the net and can put the puck behind the goalie.  He’ll need to bulk up to play that game consistently at the NHL level, however.

I’ll give this one a B.

MARTIN SKOULA to NEW JERSEY – 5TH ROUND PICK to TORONTO

If the talking-heads are to be believed, the market for Skoula was limited to 1 team.  That makes it difficult to drive the price up.  There’s no room for Skoula on the Leafs blueline, and the cupboard is bare when it comes to prospect.  That said, any draft picks you can acquire are a good thing.  Outside the top 20-30 picks the draft is essentially a crapshoot, so the more opportunities you get, the better.

This is almost insignificant, but Burke gets a solid B- for the return in a tough situation.

LEE STEMPNIAK to PHOENIX – MATT JONES, 4TH ROUND PICK, and 7TH ROUND PICK to TORONTO

There was a point, a few seasons back, where Stempniak was a highly regarded player capable of putting the puck in the net.  Now, he’s a spare part on the league’s worst team.  With that track record, I’m impressed that the Leafs were able to get anything for Stempniak.  Draft picks are good, and while I don’t know anything about Matt Jones, it seems that Brian Burke is committed to acquiring US collegiate players.

This one earns an A for getting something…anything, for Lee Stempniak.

JOEY MACDONALD to ANAHEIM – 7TH ROUND PICK to TORONTO

I’m not sure I get this, other than the Ducks wanting to secure another goaltender in the minor leagues as a very shaky insurance policy for Jonas Hiller.  The Leafs get a 7th round pick back, while Joey Mac will still play for the Marlies.

This one gets a B as it’s impressive to get anything in return for MacDonald.

6TH ROUND PICK to PITTSBURGH – CHRIS PELUSO to TORONTO

Brian Burke revealed last night that the Leafs had this deal planned as part of the Ponikarovsky deal.  Essentially, the Penguins had to ditch Skoula’s salary.  In exchange for taking it on, the Leafs promised to flip the Penguins a draft pick 1 round later than they could receive for Skoula.  They added a 5th for Skoula, so a 6th goes to Pittsburgh.

Given those conditions, it seems certain that Peluso was considered extremely expendable by the Penguins.  He’s another defenseman from the NCAA, something Burke seems to be collecting.  When it’s all said and done, this means the Leafs give up Alexei Ponikarovsky and a 6th round draft pick in exchange for Luca Caputi, Chris Peluso, and a 5th round pick.

No grade here as it falls into the main Poni trade.

All-in-all, a pretty solid day for Burke and Leafs.  I would’ve liked to see them dump Exelby, and if they had found any kind of home for Jeff Finger I’d have jumped for joy.  I’m also wondering if Burke explored any avenues with their growing collection of veteran depth forwards, like Wayne Primeau, Freddy Sjostrom, and Jamie Lundmark.