Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Maple Leafs pick up David Steckel, Tyler Bozak drops to 5th in depth chart

David Steckel David Steckel #25 of the New Jersey Devils is stopped in the crease in his game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center on April 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2.

Brian Burke is determined to improve on their #1 weakness from last season, no depth at centre, So today he trades a 4th round draft pick to New Jersey for 29 year old David Steckel. Steckel is not a scorer and in his best season he only scored 19 points. But the former 1st round draft pick is 6'5" and an excellent faceoff man. In fact he led the NHL in faceoff wins with a 62.3% success rate. He is a great penalty killer and has over 100 hits and over 30 blocked shots.

He will step into the centre spot on the 4th line. Which leaves Tyler Bozak who played most of last season on the 1st line in the pressbox. However, I wouldn't expect him to remain in the pressbox for long considering the health status of Maple Leaf centres. Unless he gets traded.

As a side note. David Steckel is best known these days for his blind side hit on Sidney Crosby at the Wnter Classic in January. So far Crosby has yet to return from that hit.

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