Leafs Set to Trade?

Rumor states Bob McKenzie visited the Fan 590, and mentioned that a trade is ready to go down between the Leafs and Canucks that would send Ponikarovsky to Vancouver for a 2nd in 2009 and a 4th in 2010. He went on to state that it could very well be finalized by Tuesday morning. McKenzie then finished by stating Brian Burke is starting to take offers on prospects Jiri Tlusty, Anton Stralman, and current Leaf players Nik Antropov and Jason Blake. Alec Brownscombe of Maple Leafs Hot Stove deems it “Bogus!”

Not sure if McKenzie was even on the Fan 590 today to report this so consider it a a rumor for now. It does tie a few things together conveniently, and the deal is pretty much what I’d expect the Leafs to get in return for Ponikarovsky, but it would surprise me a bit to see Poni and Antropov seperated. That said, a line of Demitra, Sundin and Ponikarovsky doesn’t sound too shabby for the Nucks. My sources have not heard any of this, so consider it “for what it’s worth”.

Your thoughts?

Micheal A. Aldred