Maple Leafs Lock Up Lebda
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have signed former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brett Lebda to a 2-year contract worth $1.45 million per season.
Brett Lebda was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Detroit Red Wings in 2004. He began his career in the US under 18 program in Ann Arbor Michigan. Lebda then went on to play for Notre Dame University, before he was finally signed by the Wings.
The Red Wings assigned Lebda to their American Hockey League affiliate the Grand Rapids Griffins. Lebda was not able to make the move to the National Hockey League until the 2005-06 season due to the lockout. In his first season Lebda played 46 regular season games and made six playoff appearances. He spent the next four seasons with Detroit essentially playing as a sixth or seventh defenseman moving in and out of the lineup. Brett Lebda has played in 326 NHL games and has recorded a total of 68 points and is a plus-31.
The Leafs Perspective
For the Toronto Maple Leafs Brett Lebda gives them a variety of options on the blue line. Perhaps the primary reason Leafs general manager Brian Burke chose to sign the 28-year-old Buffalo Grove Illinois native is due to the recent loss of Mike Van Ryn. Van Ryn who missed all of last season due to injury recently announced that he will not be fit enough to play during the upcoming 2010-11 season.
The acquisition of Lebda fills the void Ryn has left at the back end. Burke may also have signed Lebda on the off chance that he is able to move Tomas Kaberle during the off-season. Lebda and Jeff Finger could be moved into the lineup to make up for the loss. With Lebda the Leafs also get a reliable blue liner, he is not going to dazzle you with his goal scoring ability, but he is well positioned in his own end and should provide the stability needed in the defensive zone.
The Leafs have Dion Phanuef, Francois Beauchamin, Carl Gunnarson and Kaberle to rush the puck, Lebda is exactly the type of defenseman they need to balance their blue line. Lebda is a reliable defenseman that was formerly on highly talented Detroit blue line, when shifted to Toronto he should be able to make more of an impact.
Brett Lebda’s Perspective
For Lebda this is only his second NHL franchise and it means new beginnings. He was forced to jump between the AHL and NHL throughout his career in Detroit and may not have gotten the ice time he felt he rightfully deserved. With the Toronto Maple Leafs Lebda will get that opportunity. With Van Ryn out and the possibility of Kaberle being traded Lebda should finally get his chance to be an everyday defenceman in the NHL.
The two year deal also affords him some time. Another two full years in the NHL should give Lebda a little bit of wiggle room when he tries to sign another contract at age 30. He has to prove that he can remain in the top six for a full season.
The acquisition of Lebda gives Leafs GM Brian Burke options heading into the remainder of the off-season and for the start of next years campaign. With an eighth NHL caliber defenceman on his roster it quells the loss Van Ryn and gives him the leeway to make a move with Kaberle. For Lebda this is the first move of his career, and he should get the opportunity to play almost every night in Toronto.
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