The Toronto Maple Leafs traded 28-year-old Shawn Matthias to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. In return, they received a fourth round pick in the next draft and prospect Colin Smith.
TRADE: @MapleLeafs have acquired Colorado's 4th-round selection in the 2016 Draft & F Colin Smith in exchange for F Shawn Matthias. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) February 21, 2016
Sitting at the bottom of the standings for the entire league, general manager Lou Lamoriello is looking to the future, deconstructing his team in order to rebuild it with younger players and more prospects. The Leafs will have 12 picks in the draft.
#Leafs now own 12 draft picks for 2016; 11 if #Pittsburgh misses playoffs. pic.twitter.com/np8caj74Rf — Gurdeep Ahluwalia (@GurdeepA) February 21, 2016
"There's no question, I think, the scouting staff always gets excited with the more picks they have," Lamoriello said following the trade. "Nine (picks) is high, but to have 11 or 12 (picks) is quite a bit," according to the Canadian Press.
The GM has had a vision for his team for quite a while and began disposing of veterans such as Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli, Phil Kessel, Daniel Winnik and, more surprisingly, Dion Phaneuf, in order to accumulate picks and prospects. After a disastrous year in the standings, Toronto is setting itself up to be one of the big contenders in the league if management plays it's cards right.
"You look at it as to what is best for your team, what's best for today, what's best for tomorrow," Lamoriello said, according to the Canadian Press. "This gives us an opportunity to stay along the plan that has been put in place, that we've consistently stuck with and continue to do so."
With numerous contracts expiring at the end of the season, it is likely Michael Grabner, P.A. Parenteau and Roman Polak, will be next to be traded. James Reimer will most likely be retained in preference over Jonathan Bernier.
Colin Smith played 54 games in the AHL on the San Antonio Rampage this season, scoring 13 goals and 21 assists. He will now be on the Toronto Marlies, the top team in the AHL, and might be beneficial in them winning the Calder Cup.
