Mark Fraser has been traded to the Edmonton Oilers for nothing. Actually, it's not nothing, it's cap space. The Leafs acquired ECHLer Cam Abney, who, with all due respect, will never play in the NHL, and the rights to Teemu Hartikainen, who is currently playing for some team I've never even heard of in the KHL.

Hartikainen is currently sitting at 27 points in 43 games with his current club, so there is no reason to expect him to suddenly want to make the jump the NHL where he will certainly play and score a lot less. It's probable he can even make more money in the KHL, not to mention be a heck of a lot closer to his home Finland. He's only 23, but it doesn't look like he's going anywhere near the NHL.

Hilariously, the Toronto Star has pitched this move as a deal for prospects, though I encourage you not to click on that link and give that web site any more page views. I link it only to show that they have completely lost sight of the best part of this trade: the Leafs have rid themselves of a pro-rated amount of $1.275M from their very tight cap situation, and this is great news. The two players the Leafs have acquired will never touch the cap, so this is a great move.

Dave Nonis still knows how to make a trade. We've got the Peter Holland swindling from Anaheim, a low-end AHL move after that, and now this. Good work, so far this season.

I'm sure that Mark Fraser is a great guy and I wish him all the best luck in Edmonton, but for now, Leafs fans have to be happy with this deal.

Update: I guess Eakins really likes Fraser. OK, cool. Good. Have fun. Please dress him when the Leafs play you next.