No matter how the local teams perform, Toronto could host some big games in the next few seasons.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has made a pitch to the NHL for Toronto to hold the annual Winter Classic at BMO Field, a pair of entry drafts, as well as all-star games for both the NHL and Major League Soccer.
"Over the next four years we hope to have four major events," Richard Peddie, president and chief executive officer of MLSE, said in an interview Tuesday after addressing a sports management conference.
Peddie said the company, which owns the Maple Leafs, Raptors and Toronto FC, has made a formal pitch for the 2011 and 2012 NHL entry drafts. The league also "clearly knows we're interested" in a future all-star game and the Winter Classic, which is held outside Jan. 1.
Peddie and Leafs general manager and president Brian Burke escalated the sales pitch on Tuesday while guiding NHL commissioner Gary Bettman through MLSE's new training complex in Etobicoke. The commissioner also got a walk through the company's Maple Leaf Square development around the Air Canada Centre, which could be a focal point of public draft and all-star game festivities.
"In my mind, Toronto is the centre of the hockey universe," said Burke, who is also co-owner of the company which hosted the two-day conference. "People who don't live here hate to hear that but it's true.
Fredrik Sjostrom, LW/RW
2010/09/02: Fredrik Sjostrom might be available at the start of training camp after undergoing a shoulder operation this off-season. He is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, but Toronto GM Brian Burke said the team would not rush him back before he is ready. We'll keep you posted on his status, but he has no fantasy value. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Christian Hanson, RW/C
2010/08/31: The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with restricted free agent Christian Hanson. Hanson scored two goals and registered five assists in 31 games last season. He should battle for a spot on Toronto's opening day roster. (Source: Sportsnet.ca)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/30: Leafs GM Brian Burke expects Clarke MacArthur to spend a significant amount of time on one of Toronto's top two lines. MacArthur inked a one-year/$1.1 million deal with the Maple Leafs after Atlanta walked away from an arbitrator awarded one-year/$2.4 million deal. He scored 16 goals and 35 points in 81 games last season, but he still has some offensive upside. If he spends the majority of the season serving as a top-six forward, we think he can score 20-25 goals and 40-50 points. (Source: Toronto Star)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/28: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Clarke MacArthur to a one-year deal. The contract is worth $1.1 million. Last season MacArthur scored 16 goals and 19 assists in 81 games (split between Buffalo and Atlanta). He will contend for a top-six forward spot withe Maple Leafs. He will be valuable in fantasy pools if he can secure a spot on the Leafs' power play. (Source: TSN.ca)
Matt Lashoff, D
2010/08/27: Matt Lashoff will join a crowded blueline in Toronto this season after being dealt to the Maple Leafs on Friday for minor-leaguers Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati. He played the majority of last season with the Tampa's AHL affiliate in Norfolk, where he posted eight goals, 24 points and 105 penalty minutes in 68 games. Lashoff will likely begin the 2010-11 campaign in the minors with the Toronto Marlies. (Source: TSN.ca)
Jonas Gustavsson, G
2010/08/21: Goalie Jonas Gustavsson is doing whatever he can to avoid the dreaded "sophomore jinx". "The second season can be dangerous because not everything is new and exciting in the same way it was (when you are a rookie)," Gustavsson said. "You sometimes have to fight a bit more to find that same energy." The Monster should be more relaxed this year, understanding exactly how North American hockey works. He could be a sleeper pick in fantasy if he can re-gain his Pre-NHL, European form. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/20: The father of Maple Leafs' defenseman Tomas Kaberle believes his son will be traded during the 2010-11 season. "I think that during the course of the year he will be traded to another club," said Frantisek Kaberle Sr. "There is only one chance for Toronto to get something back in return for Tomas now. In my opinion, I can't see Tomas entering a new contract with the Toronto. Not if Ron Wilson continues to be employed there ... I cannot imagine how he will get along with coach Wilson, who relies primarily on aggression and stress. That's not Tomas, he's a technical type of defender." If Kaberle does end up being moved then he will have to go to Toronto GM Brian Burke himself with a list of teams because Burke has been steadfast in his claim that he will not ask the offensive rearguard to waive his no-trade clause. Look for stories like this to arise frequently throughout the year. (Source: Calgary Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/16: The Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to find a trading partner for Tomas Kaberle prior to his no trade clause taking effect again. "While a number of clubs made offers to trade for Tomas, none of them reflected Tomas's value to our team," said GM Brian Burke in a statement. "I understand a period like this is stressful to the player, and we are pleased that there is a resolution, and we can all continue to prepare for the coming season." If the Leafs want to move Kaberle at some point during the 2010-11 campaign they will need his approval. He has one year left on his current deal with Toronto and could end up walking away as an unrestricted free agent next summer. (Source: TSN.ca)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/15: Toronto GM Brian Burke believes that New Jersey and Los Angeles could both have been potential landing spots for Tomas Kaberle if not for the Ilya Kovalchuk contract situation. Burke said "I think both teams that were involved - and I'm not going to say that they are interested or were interested or would be - but I suspect that both teams involved in the Kovalchuk situation would have been more involved in this. The window to trade Kaberle is closing so Burke will need some eleventh hour magic if he's going to deal the defender before midnight on Sunday. (Source: The Bergen Record)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/13: Toronto GM Brian Burke is still waiting for an offer to jump on in the ongoing Tomas Kaberle trade talk. "It's too early to say. I know it sounds crazy because the deadline is midnight on Sunday, but the simple fact is we haven't received an offer yet (worth acting on)," said Burke while on Toronto radio station the FAN 590. "We're not going to see everybody's best cards until the last couple of days anyhow, so I'm not surprised we don't have anything that we would take yet, so we'll see what happens." We'll keep you posted, but expect Burke to pull the trigger close to the deadline when he believes the potential offers will improve. (Source: TSN.ca)
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Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by HABSSTAR(loserleafs@hotmail.com) on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
Sweeeeeeeeeeet!
I smell Leafs-Habs outdoor game!
Hell we can turn it into an ugly sweater contest. The Leafs can wear that St. Pat's sweater and the Habs can wear their prison uniforms. What a treat for the eyes! lol
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by the_word on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
Meh, gimmicks. I suppose if I was eleven I'd care.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by mtl_prince on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
Draft I see happening...but 2? All-star game I see happening, outdoor game, it would have to be at the skydome....
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by number15 on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
2011 DRAFT?...... i think Burke would be pressured into landing a first rounder that year considering Leafs gave theirs to Boston. Oh, and also, how embarrassing would it be if the Bruins selected #1 overall in Toronto with the Leafs picks, ouch! Leafs are better served going after Draft 2012.
as for the winter classic. It will be in BMO field not Rogers centre. MLSE owns BMO field and its more up to date even though it dosent carry nearly as much spectators..... Leafs vs. Canadiens would be classic alrite.
All-star game, now thats what i wanna see in Toronto again. hopefully they have some players capable of playing in it by then. Im assuming Kaberle will be traded and Kessel isent quite there yet.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by glotz_99(*****thesens@yahoo.co) on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
I was wondering why they want to have it at BMO field, which only seats 25,000 with temporary seating, rather than the Rogers Centre which seats 55,000. I was told the reason is they are unable to open the skydome roof in the winter, so it wouldn't really be an outdoor game.
It would be sick to see the two greatest teams the LEAFS and HABS play an outdoor game, but im sure our dumb kike commisioner would rather put a game in Miami, Flordia or Nashville, Tennsesee so they can sell out the game and he can tell the media how much they love hockey here.
On another note I heard last year the Wings were thinking about playing an original six team, maybe the Leafs at Ford Field. Although it's a not an outdoor game it would be pretty cool to play in front of 65,000 fans.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
I would love to go see an All-Star game again. Last time it was in Toronto, years ago me and my brother went Saturday night to the skills competition, it was pretty awesome to watch.
Best part was the individual stickhandling competition between Steve Yzerman of the North American team, and Peter Forsberg of the World team. Stevie Y won, and it was a great day.
The end.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by Kramer on Wednesday, November 11 (User Info | Send a Message)
Outdoor games are no good because the cheerleaders gotta wear too much clothing.
Re: Leafs aim for Winter Classic (Score: 1) by FlamingHomer on Saturday, November 14 (User Info | Send a Message)
I really think the Winter Classics should be exclusive for the American markets. They have the best venues and need the exposure more than any of the Canadian teams. This would build the sport better there than the All Star Game which I feel is becoming a joke.
