Nolan fills a hole

Leafs hope rugged winger is final piece to Cup puzzle

The Maple Leafs aren't messing around.

After finishing as a bridesmaid in several high-profile transactions over the past two seasons -- see: Tony Amonte, Jaromir Jagr and Eric Lindros -- Toronto stepped up and landed one of the gems of the 2003 deadline derby, Owen Nolan.

And as a result, the Leafs will have a ton of added pressure to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967.

The acquisition of the feisty Irishman improves Toronto's second line measurably and gives it the boost to compete with both the more skilled Ottawa and more rugged Philadelphia frontlines.

Nolan had just 22 goals and 20 assists in 61 games this season, finishing with 206 goals in his eight years in Silicon Valley. He is the Sharks' career leader in goals, assists, points and power-play goals, and also ranks second in penalty minutes.

Though he didn't want to leave San Jose, the change of scenery to Toronto gives him a good chance to capture his first Cup. He was close once before, but the Avalanche sent him to the Sharks on Oct. 26, 1995 for Sandis Ozolinsh, nearly eight months before Colorado won the title.

Nolan has 21 points in his past 28 playoff games, so the Leafs are counting on him getting back to his old scoring ways.

Leafs head coach and general manager Pat Quinn will likely reunite his dynamic trio of Alexander Mogilny, Mats Sundin and Gary Roberts together on the first line, leaving Nolan to team with Nik Antropov and either Mikael Renberg, Shayne Corson, Jonas Hoglund or Robert Reichel on the second unit. Another option would be playing Nolan on the right side with Roberts and Sundin, with Mogilny, Antropov and Renberg making up the second unit.

The most shocking part of the deal is that Antropov is still in Toronto. Early trade rumors said the Sharks were insisting on Antropov as part of any deal for Nolan, so the fact that Quinn talked Sharks GM Dean Lombardi out of including Antropov in the package is a victory for the Leafs as well.

Darcy Tucker also was initially rumored to be part of a possible deal, but Quinn was able to keep him on board, too. Toronto gave up a good young two-way centerman in Alyn McCauley, a top-notch prospect in Brad Boyes and a first-round pick, so the price it paid was high.

But, in essence, the Leafs were able to keep their top nine forwards and deal from the bottom of their roster and the minors to get Nolan. Any time you can add a top-six forward while giving up next to nothing from your current roster, that works out to be a no-brainer.

The one player who could benefit most from the deal is the guy who surprisingly is still in Hogtown. Antropov has looked like a different player this season, finally showing signs of reaching his potential. Handing him a linemate who can finish like Nolan only will improve the 23-year-old's play.

Nolan was a huge disappointment this season for San Jose, though the same can be said for many of his teammates. Unfortunately, since he wore the "C" on his jersey, Nolan endured the brunt of the blame for the Sharks' puzzling struggles, along with Lombardi and jettisoned coach Darryl Sutter.

By dealing Nolan, the Sharks could be making the statement that they are ready to raze their roster and start over with youngsters. Considering they already traded for Kyle McLaren in January, San Jose looks to be going with youth and may not be done dealing.

Teemu Selanne inked a below-market value $6.5 million contract in the offseason, but his production has been spotty and he also could be sent to an interested contender.

While the Sharks are aiming for the future, the Leafs are very much about now. And what a now it could be. Their roster has the scoring, depth and toughness needed to make a run deep into the postseason.

At the very least, the Eastern Conference race just got a little more interesting. So what will the Sens, Devils, Flyers and Caps now do to counter?

The Leafs don't really care. They got their man and are one step closer to ending 36 years of frustration.

Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for SI.com.

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