Ducks acquire Francois Beauchemin from Leafs

To Ducks:
Francois Beauchemin


To Leafs:
Joffrey Lupul
Jake Gardiner 
conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2013.


Review:
The Ducks add a top four defenseman that will solidify their back-end heading down the stretch. He was an instrumental player on the Ducks Stanley Cup winning team in 2007 and they are hoping he can be as effective as he was then. Beauchemin has put up 12 points in 54 games (has not missed a game) and was solid for the Leafs. With the acquisition of Beauchemin, the Ducks have 8 NHL defensemen so look for them to make another move in the near future. The Leafs are able to leave this deal with some very good players. In Joffrey Lupul, the Leafs have themselves a 27 year old winger that is able to put up points when healthy. Last season he was limited to only 23 games all season due to back surgery. His back problems carried through to the start of this season as he missed the first 28 games. In the limited playing time he has had this season he has put up 13 points in 26 games. His career has had a lot of ups and downs but he is almost always an effective top 6 forward and thats exactly what the Leafs were looking to acquire. But the real reason I love this deal for the Leafs is because they are able to walk away with Jake Gardiner, drafted 17th overall in the 1st round in 2008, who is a talented offensive defenseman at the University of Wisconsin. In his Junior year he is putting up great numbers with 7 goals and 23 assists for 30 points in 30 games. His skating is what sets him apart from other players and is what enables him to use his terrific offensive ability so terrifically. Although people seem to be worried about his NHL potential because some believe his play in his own zone and without the puck is a concern, I feel he has the potential to be a top of the league Power Play Quarter Back and a legit top 4 defenseman, with an outside shot of being a top 2. The Leafs also received a conditional 4th round pick in 2013. The condition on it, is *if Lupul is on the roster for 40 or more games in 2012-13 with the Leafs, Toronto gets a 4th-round pick in 2013. If he’s not on Leafs roster for 40 or more games, Toronto gets a 6th-rounder from Anaheim.*(According to Pierre LeBrun).


Winner Now: Leafs...Although Beauchemin is already a top 4 defenseman, Leafs get a top 6 forward and a top prospect.


Winner Long Term: Leafs....I really like Gardiner's potential.