The Maple Leafs went to the NHL Amateur Draft with 10 picks but before they made their first selection they were already down to to 7 picks. Prior to the draft a 3rd round pick was shipped to St. Louis for Jamal Mayer and at the draft 2nd and 3rd picks were handed to the Islanders so the Leafs could move up 2 slots in the order.
The trade with the Islanders makes sense. The quality of players dropped off after the fifth pick and the Leafs are in need of a franchise player. The Islanders took another approach and moved down a further 2 slots by trading the Leaf's 1st round pick for Nashville's 1st and 2nd picks. So they move down just 4 slots and gain 3 more picks in later rounds.
The Mayer trade makes no sense to me. Sure he is a strong, physical player with good defensive and leadership skills, he is also 33 years old. It doesn't make the Leafs younger. The only Leaf player older is Jason Blake. They have an abundance of 3rd and 4th liners but few players that can play on the top 2 lines.
Sure he migh improve the chemistry on the team but how will he bring the Leafs closer to a Stanley Cup? If the Leafs are too rebuild, that is how each trade must be examined. The only explanation I can suggest is with the departure of Mats Sundin, Mayer has been picked up to wear the "C" for the next couple of seasons until a younger player grows into the role. But I still wouldn't make that deal.
