It's July 26 and we're expecting a high of 28° here in the big smoke, a perfect time to talk Leafs. Paul Hunter suggests in today's Toronto Star that Matt Stajan may have to go if the Leafs want to re-sign Mike Peca. It's a salary cap issue, and trading Stajan might free up enough coin to score a home town discount with Peca.
Matt Stajan and Mike Peca both play centre, but Stajan is 23 while Mike Peca is 33. The question is, if you could only have one, which one would you keep?
I'd go with Peca. I think our team is better with Peca over Stajan. Peca is lethal on the penalty kill, a tenacious defensive forward who won the Selke Trophy twice. Before he went down with a leg injury last year, I thought he was a huge asset, and we all know what he can do in the playoffs.
As much as we all like Matt Stajan, he's just an okay player who periodically shows a little flash. I'm pretty sure we can replace the ten goals he scored last season. With Stajan, I think what you see is what you get. I choose Peca.
According to the official countdown, there are now 69 days, 8 hours, 55 minutes, and 35 seconds left until the Maple Leafs regular season opener. Giddy-up!
