Leafs make small deal, state intentions as deadline nears.

[nyrcrisfer]

On Wednesday afternoon the Leafs dealt defenseman Craig Rivet to Nashville for winger Oleg Saprykin and defenseman Sean Brown. Rivet, acquired from Phoenix before this season, scored 8 goals and 27 points in 66 games with the Leafs. Defensive depth combined with a lack of quality wingers made Rivet expendable.

Saprykin is 24 and should play an important role for the Leafs this year and next. The young Russian plays a solid all around game and has the potential to become a better scorer in the future. He should team well with Pavel Datsyuk.

Sean Brown is simply a depth player included for salary purposes.

The Leafs also released a statement to the Toronto media stating their intentions for the deadline. The Leafs are sellers... but unfortunately have few veterans to sell.

On the block are Marc Savard, Pierre Marc Bouchard, Richard Jackman, Dennis Seidenberg- For them the Leafs are looking for quality players for next season.

Papineau, Battaglia, Kilger, Yachmenev, Murray, May, Roy, Ciernik, Ferguson and Brown are all depth guys who can be had for a pick/prospect.

The Leafs also have a good amount of cap room. We will trade cap room along with any player or trade cash straight up for a pick/prospect.

[Preds GM - CPHL]

With injuries to Jovonovski and recent trading of Mitchell, the Preds badly needed defensive help. "Rivet is a solid player, he can top 4 or the bottom pairing, right now we'll use him as a top 4 dman." Said Schum

Preds wish best of luck to Saprykin and Sean"screw the ice, leme eat up my fat contract in the penalty box" Brown.

[nyrcrisfer]

With the acquisition of Oleg Saprykin and 2 young grinders on the roster, Manny Malhotra and Steve Ott, the Leafs were able to deal Chad Kilger for a pick. He goes to Tampa for Anaheim's 06 2nd round pick.

The rest of our depth forwards are still available and can be had for a lower pick/prospect in most cases.

[Flickered Flame]

A 2nd rounder for Kilger is a nice return imo.