2009-2010 Luca Caputi

From Beauchemin to Stalberg, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2009-10 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Maple Leafs for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2010-11. That means only guys that are still property of the Maple Leafs. We're doing this in concert with Maple Leafs Hot Stove. Next up, Luca Caputi.

Luca Caputi

#33 / Left Wing / Toronto Maple Leafs

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Born: Oct 01, 1988

Years in the NHL: 1

Became a Leaf: Via trade with Pittsburgh for Alex Ponikarovsky March 3, 2010

Contract Status: 1 year left on 3 year Entry Level Contract, $833K Including bonuses

Today's Maple Leaf Hot Stove's turn. Garrett Bauman will be taking the reins.

The Summary: One of the Penguins’ highest-ranked prospects, 21-year old Toronto native Luca Caputi was acquired by the Maple Leafs on the eve of the Trade Deadline in exchange for long-serving winger Alexei Ponikarovsky.

Caputi’s acquisition was another in a long line of moves by GM Brian Burke designed to (a) clean house, and (b) add young players with upside who can contribute immediately.

To Caputi’s credit, the early returns have been positive the 6′3, 200lb winger can develop into a regular contributor, although with only 28 NHL games under his belt (19 with the Maple Leafs), it is difficult to gauge on what his ultimate role, or impact, will be. The 2010-11 season should provide a crucial indication of his NHL future.

Read the Full Profile at Maple Leafs Hot Stove and come over the jump for more.

Audience Participation

Rate Caputi below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.

The Discussion

What do you think of Burke's decision to go after a more 'polished' prospect rather than the ethereal 'draft picks'? What did you see as Caputi's strengths and weaknesses during his quarter season in the blue and white? And when will Godd Till write up our hilarious idea for a nickname?

Eye-Candy

Imagine scoring a goal for your childhood team...

How would you rate Luca Caputi's 2009-2010 season with the Maple Leafs?