Coach Harling (Press Box and OHL)

NHL free agency is not until July first, and there are only a few prominent names that may be available for the highest bidder. Zach Parise, Alex Semin, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Teemu Selanne are at the top of the list. Lidstrom and Selanne will remain where they are or retire, Semin may end up in Russia. That leaves Parise as the only big prize that a GM could acquire to help build a franchise around. That is unless Justin Schultz becomes available as a UFA.
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Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke recently was a guest on the fan590 Prime Time Sports and On ESPN where he was very candid in response to questions if he was close to making a significant deal. "We are listening to a lot right now, and there is a good chance something will happen…" Burke said. “Am I done making deals…the answer is no. If I can improve this team tomorrow, I’m gonna make a deal tomorrow that improves it”.

Traditionally now is the time of year that Burke likes to make his trades. January 31 was a day Leaf fans will long remember as the day Captain Dion Phaneuf was acquired. February ninth was the day Francois Beauchemin was sent to Anaheim in exchange for Joffrey Lupul and Jake Gardiner.

"I do try to get my lineup set well in advance of the deadline," Burke told ESPN.com Friday. "I’ve never been a deadline guy. So January is when I try to make a splash."
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