JS Giguere has also been traded to the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs traded for Dion Phaneuf and now Toronto traded for JS Giguere. Incredible moves by Brian Burke in an effort to improve the worst defensive team in the NHL. JS Giguere still has to approve the trade since he has a no trade clause. Here is who is involved: Jean-Sebastien Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks for Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala

Stay tuned for more news on the JS Giguere trade to Toronto and the Phaneuf trade to the Maple Leafs.

It is being reported by tsn that Dion Phaneuf has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Dion Phaneuf trade to Toronto went down about 10 minutes ago, and here is the full trade Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White.

In addition to the Dion Phaneuf trade to the Maple Leafs, it is also being reported that Anaheim’s Giguere was traded to the Maple Leafs as well. Stay tuned to more breaking news on the Dion Phaneuf trade to Toronto and the JS Giguere trade to the Maple Leafs.

Ron Wilson going to Toronto also appears to be a sign that Brian Burke will take over the General Manager position in Toronto next year when his contract with the Ducks expires. Wilson and Burke have a long history together and I’m sure they would be very happy to work with each other again. Expect the signed contract from Wilson tomorrow at the latest.

Initially Cliff Fletcher gave Ron Wilson a firm deadline by which he had to give his response to the head coaching offer.  Obviously it was a good ultimatum for the Maple Leafs because Ron Wilson will become their head coach.

Maurice never made the playoffs in his two seasons with the Maple Leafs.  He was 76-66-22 as head coach of the Leafs but was never able to really pull the team together.

This story will be updated as more info is released.

Sundin has missed the last 5 games due to a groin injury, and will return for one final stand with the Boston Bruins, who are currently clinging to the last playoff position in the Eastern Conference.   The Leafs currently trail the Boston Bruins by 6 points with games remaining on the season.  The Leafs did beat the Bruins in the 1st game of the home and home series, but if they can’t complete the sweep their season will be over.  The Leafs have given a nice effort towards the end of the season, but the problem is that if they don’t make the playoffs (and they won’t) then they will have taken themselves out of good drafting position for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  The game is at 7pm eastern.

The Maple Leafs are currently sitting 6 points out of the playoffs with 8 games remaining this year.  The Maple Leafs are 3-1 in their last 4 games, but they are going to have pretty much win out to have a shot at the playoffs this year.  Without Sundin I don’t think the Leafs have a chance.

In my opinion, Sundin is the only worth anything on the Maple Leafs, and he is the sole driving force on the Leafs. If he misses even 1 game, I think you can count the Leafs as out of the playoffs. As it is, I think it is highly unlikely that the Maple Leafs will be making the playoffs and they have now blown their shot at a high draft pick by playing better as of late.

The score was 1-1 after the 1st period.  But from then on out, it was all Toronto scoring 7 of the final 8 goals.  After the 2nd the Maple Leafs led 5-1.  And the Maple Leafs went on to make it 8-1 before the Bruins scored the final goal.

Seven Maple Leaf players ended up with multi-point nights.  Leading the way with 4 points was  Bryan McCabe with a goal and 3 assists, Blake, Sundin and Steen all had 3 points and Antropov, Kaberle and Tucker had 2 point nights. In the game, goalie Tim Thomas was chased after allowing 5 goals on 23 shots.  Alex Auld replaced Thomas, and let in 3 goals on 17 shots.  Vesa Toskala recorded the win for Maple Leafs and made 27 saves on the night.

13 of the remaining 14 games for the Leafs are against teams that are currently in the NHL 2008 playoffs, if the playoffs were to start today. Out of their last 14 games, they will play Boston 3 times, Buffalo 3 times, Ottawa twice, Montreal twice and the Flyers twice. Toronto has been playing better of late, going 6-3 in their last 9 games. Mats Sundin has led the way with 9 points in his last 5 games. But it will still take a lot from a very inconsistent team to make the 2008 NHL playoffs. In fact, a lot of Toronto fans are upset that the team has played better of late, taking themselves out of the bidding for draft pick Steve Stamkos. Keep an eye on the Maple Leafs the rest of the season to see if they have enough heart and grit to fight out a spot in the 2008 NHL Playoffs.