Toronto Maple Leafs

DiPietro continues to excel in his starting role

The first player that will be looked at in the new revamped ‘Where Are They Now’ is Brad Isbister. For those who don’t remember Isbister was apart of the Islanders team that finished 5th in the Eastern Conference and lost in seven games to the Maple Leafs in 2001-2002 season.

Isbister was drafted in the 3rd (67th overall) 1995 NHL draft by the Winnipeg Jets; this was the same draft the Islanders selected Wade Redden then moved him in a package to the Ottawa Senators for the 1st overall pick in 1995 Bryan Berard.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed center Jay McClement for two years with a $1.5-million cap-hit, as well as re-sign forward Matt Frattin to a two-year deal worth 850K per season.

The signing is hardly a big splash from general manager Brian Burke, but that’s probably a good thing. McClement will likely play on the third or fourth line, and log significant minutes on the penalty kill. He led the Colorado Avalanche, and was third among forwards in the National Hockey League, in SH TOI/G with 3:06. McClement only averaged 10:03 of even-strength ice-time so his skillset is suited for the penalty kill---an area that has decimated the Leafs since the lockout. He should mesh well ...

Joffrey Lupul had a great season: He notched 25 goals and 67 points in 66 games, played in the All-Star Game, and was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy. His season ended abruptly with a separated shoulder, but it remains his most successful since joining the National Hockey League.

That being said, Lupul probably isn’t a point-per-game player. Some think the numerous injuries he’d sustained halted his development and he is just now displaying his capabilities. Whatever the case may be, Lupul’s trade value is the highest it’s ever been, and the Leafs have an excess of wingers with the arrival of James van Riemsdyk---Nazem Kadri could be ready, too.