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MONTREAL - Having just scored the season-ending overtime winner for his Maple Leafs on Saturday night, Dion Phaneuf was greeted in the Bell Centre corridor with a hug and lengthy smooch from long-time squeeze Elisha Cuthbert.
Of course, most Leaf fans probably aren’t feeling as warm and fuzzy as the rugged defenceman these days, even after watching Toronto’s dramatic 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
They have plenty of reason to be frustrated.
While the acquisition of Phaneuf probably was the highlight of the 2009-10 Maple Leafs campaign, the team took a step backward in terms of statistics from 08-09, registering four fewer wins (30-34); three more losses (38-35); and seven less points (74-81).
Obviously, not good enough.
After missing the postseason for a team-record fifth consecutive time, there is plenty of work to be done.
And, to that end, here are some of the prominent names that you might be hearing about in the coming months.
Tomas Kaberle
Was Saturday his final game in a Leaf jersey? Don’t be surprised if it was, although he remains coy about a possible trade this off-season. Asked after the game if he has thought about his future, he replied: “Yes. I’m going to work harder this off-season than ever.” Maybe. But for which team?
Nikolai Kulemin
The young winger, who is set to become a restricted free agent, reaffirmed Saturday that there is nothing behind the rumours that he is eyeing the KHL.
“I like it here in the NHL,” he said. “I want to remain a Leaf.”
Jonas Gustavsson
After dealing with health and rebound issues early on, the rookie goalie won seven consecutive games down the stretch, a number that surely will be brought up by the player’s side during negotiations with the restricted free agent. Question is: Is he worth more than $2.5 million?
Francois Beauchemin
The veteran defenceman certainly did not live up to billing in his first season as a Leaf. He’s great in the dressing room, but he was nowhere near the impact player on the blue line he was hyped to be. If Kaberle isn’t dealt, will he be moved?
Mikhail Grabovski
He scored a key goal in the first period Saturday night. Into his own net. His figure-skating pirouettes in the neutral zone have become tiresome. It’s time to deal him, even for a mid-round pick.
David Nonis
Brian Burke’s right-hand man could be a hot commodity this summer by teams seeking a new GM. But Nonis insists he’s not going to jump at the first opportunity that comes along. “It has to be the right situation,” Nonis said.
Tyler Bozak
Of all the Leaf youngsters, no one’s progress was more impressive than that of Bozak, whose pinpoint pass to Viktor Stalberg for Toronto’s second goal Saturday was a prime example. But he’s not going to survive the rigours of a full NHL season without adding some beef on his diminutive frame.
Anthony Belza
The Maple Leafs strength and conditioning coordinator will be an important off-season cog for this organization. Expect him to spend a lot of time with Bozak, fellow prospect Luca Caputi and 2009 first-round pick Nazem Kadri — three promising players who need to muscle up.
Kris Versteeg/Patrick Sharp
With the available pool of free-agent forwards pretty much wafer thin this summer, the trade route seems the most obvious way for GM Brian Burke to augment his forward ranks. The most obvious trading partners are teams such as the Chicago Blackhawks that have salary-cap issues. If available, Versteeg or Sharp certainly would be welcomed additions.
Scott Hartnell
The Flyers are another team pushed up against the cap, making Hartnell a potential candidate to be moved. With the Philly brass expecting more than 14 goals he produced this season, he would bring to the table the truculence Burke covets so much.
mike.zeisberger@sunmedia.ca