Leafs trade Beauchemin to Ducks for Lupul, Gardiner, draft pick

Anaheim makes the first pre-Trade Deadline move in the Western Conference, bringing back one of the key defensemen from their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup.

over 1 year ago Dirk Hoag 8 comments 0 recs |

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Seems like a really good move for the Ducks — Beauchemin’s a beast on the blueline. Not sure why the Leafs would willingly agree to be saddled with Lupul’s deal, though.

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 9, 2011 12:56 PM EST reply actions

Gives us hope of getting rid of Erat ;)

by DonBorvio on Feb 9, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

let us pray

by Creeping Death on Feb 9, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

The deal’s really for Gardiner – who’s projecting to be a mid-30-point defenseman using the NHLe numbers, but realistically is still likely going to be a top 4 defenseman. Beauchemin’s not going to be around with the Leafs when they start to challenge again, whileas Gardiner’s 20 and should be climbing at the right time.

The Leafs have a good amount of cap space, so Lupul greases the wheels a bit for Anaheim, while giving the Leafs an NHL-calibre forward, as opposed to constantly raiding their AHL affiliate, who is thin with injuries as it is.

I think both sides are pretty happy with the deal… Anaheim gets a defenseman who can help them now for the playoffs and Toronto gets a great D prospect and a forward flyer they’re hoping rebounds from the injury troubles he’s had.

Oh, four! I mean five! I mean fire! Now available in lite version!

by chillin411 on Feb 9, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Perhaps I’m giving Beauchemin too much value to think he’d get swapped without a stiff cap hit coming back in the deal. Lupul is incredibly gifted, just not incredibly motivated, which is why he’s been traded so often.

I wish Nashville would make a deal for a premier player. I keep reading that Mike Fisher is a possibility for the Preds. Any opinions on this?

Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life

by TNBrando on Feb 9, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

It’s a bit rough of a hit, but I don’t think the Leafs get a prospect that was ranked Anaheim’s #2 prospect (after Fowler) with just Beauchemin, and the Leafs have plenty of room under the cap and have the luxury of being able to spend to it. Burke talked in his press conference about genuinely wanting Lupul, so I think it’s a little of column A, little of column B in that regard. The Leafs are definitely worse off now than they were yesterday, but the future does look a whole lot better.

As for Fisher – I’m a Leafs fan, so my opinions on the Sens might be slightly biased, but I don’t think you want Fisher.

I think people are realizing now just how absolutely difficult it is to get a premier player, which is why I don’t really have too much animosity with Burke’s effort to obtain Kessel, who is a great player, but probably not that premier/elite status (pending on what he does with actual linemates).

As for you guys, it’s tough. You guys look like you’re right on the cusp and everyone seems to be developing nicely, and you’d be giving up assets to get that premier player, which may not be available. I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit envious of your goalie setup right now, you have what looks like two NHL starters, whileas the Leafs might be looking at getting their first NHL calibre in Reimer after years of Raycroft, Toskala, etc. There was a lot of hope for Gustavsson, but it’s looking to turn out like he may be a great backup rather than a great starter (which for a FA pickup is a-ok with me).

Oh, four! I mean five! I mean fire! Now available in lite version!

by chillin411 on Feb 9, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe....

Only thing that may hinder a deal for Fisher is that he has 2 years left on his contract, something Poile never seems to want when trading at the deadline. I personally would rather that I have certainty in having a guy on my roster for few years if I had to give up a good pick and/or prospect to get him. We’ll see what happens

by Grizzledbear on Feb 9, 2011 6:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Only worry I have about this trade....

Looking at it from the Ducks perspective is that trading away Lupul leaves their scoring depth a bit thin. They have good top line scoring and the 2nd line is decent as well, but it really falls off after that. If Beauchemin plays for them like he did in his previous stint, they’ll have improved their D quite a bit.

by Grizzledbear on Feb 9, 2011 6:15 PM EST via mobile reply actions