Maple Leafs Look For More Scoring Punch - James Mirtle at the Globe and Mail

It always appeared to be one of Brian Burke’s core tenets, right up there with his love of fights, obscure words and American-born players.

The Toronto Maple Leafs general manager, almost from Day 1, made clear he wanted a team with skilled forwards filling its top two lines and gritty, checking types on the bottom two.

"To play the way we’re going to play," Burke had said at the 2009 draft, "you need pick and shovel men."

Fast forward a little more than two years, and the Leafs are test driving a third line featuring Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak and Colby Armstrong – only one of whom fits the checker description – in training camp.

The philosophy appears to have changed, at least slightly, and it’s with an eye on finally getting more offence from deeper in the lineup.

Finally, Burke is starting to understand. More links after the jump.

Battle of the Blades Pay Tribute to Belak

He would have won in a landslide.

Training Camp: On-Ice Sessions Day 2

MLHS has a spot in the seats during scrimmages.

Turris Maybe?

Turris no.

Training Camp 2011: TML Fueling with Fire, Again

Yet again the Leafs go into camp with high hopes for an unproved 23 year old.

What Does It Mean to be Playing Well?

Mike from VLM discusses this using Phil Kessel as an example.

From The Branches