Phil Kessel is just Brian Burke’s kind of guy, and it’s no surprise that the worst-kept secret in the NHL finally came to fruition as Kessel was dealt to Toronto by Boston for a heap of picks. Kessel scored 36 goals last season and wanted out of the Bruins organization, where he had begun his young career and notably, where he beat cancer and won the Masterton trophy.

Whether Kessel has the supporting cast to produce at such a level again this year is debatable, but the gritty forward represents the long-term future for Burke, as much as he is expected to excel in the short-term.

Some other fresh faces are already here, and they’re a bruising bunch who dishes it out more often than takes it, and that gentle reader, is the story of the Burke Maple Leafs.

Free agent defenseman Pavel Kubina went to Atlanta. Enter Francois Beauchemin, Burke’s former development project who went to Anaheim in the Sergei Fedorov deal (2005). He’s tough and cut his teeth learning from Mr. Snarl himself, Chris Pronger. Mike Komisarek joins the Leafs after six solid seasons in Montreal (drafted by the Habs 7th overall, 2001). Both Beauchemin (Canada) and Komisarek (USA) have legit shots at their country’s Olympic roster. Garnet Exelby comes over from Atlanta to add some muscle. Another recipient of the improved defensive personnel will be Luke Schenn, who turns 20 in November.

Safe to say that if Vesa Toskala was going to get an opportunity to shine in Toronto, the infusion of tougher defensive personnel help. Jonas Gustavsson, who turns 25 shortly after the season begins, will be given an opportunity to back up Toskala after backstopping Farjestad to a Swedish Elite League title.

Jason Blake continues to amaze, scoring 25 goals as he continues treatment for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Blake has recorded over 300 shots on goal in each of the last four seasons.

Nik Hagman came over from Dallas last season and helped elevate the Toronto offense to 10th in the league, with 22 goals in 65 games. Center Mikhail Grabovski was stunningly excluded from Calder trophy voting, despite scoring 20 goals. Remember Jason Allison? He’s getting a shot with the Leafs this training camp. The offense should get a bit tougher, too, as Colton Orr joins as Burke’s new enforcer.

Overall, the team whose penalty killing was 30th in the league will be upgraded by the addition of the defensive muscle. Kessel will do a world of good after he notched 36 goals with the Bruins. Someone’s headed to Toronto, and it could be enough to lift the club, but higher than 12th last year? Just a bit. Burke has a bunch of young talent that just needs some space on the ice to shine, and the additions noted above could really clear the ice for Grabovski, Jiri Tlusty, Nikolai Kulemin, and other skilled forwards.

"He's not a great skater to begin with and he was able to get away with hooking and holding and grabbing but the game is different now,” said coach Ron Wilson about Jason Allison. Allison has been out of the NHL for three years and is attempting a comeback at 34.