Skip to main content

Chris O'Meara

I expect big things from Mitch and he has shown that so far in the scrimmages. He's another guy who is in much better shape because he's had a year in the NHL under his belt, and he's looked really good, a little quicker. I saw some good things from him last year, and I see no reason why he can't score 20 goals this year."

- Ron Wilson, Wednesday, September 16, 2009

John Mitchell went on to score six goals in 60 games during the 2009-10 season, falling just a bit short of his head coach's lofty preseason prediction.

A fifth-round pick at the 2003 entry draft, the Oakville native joins the long list of players who showed a glimmer of promise in a Leafs uniform, but never quite managed to put it all together. He struggled with injuries and never really seemed to find a defined role on the roster. Let the record show that he did reach that 20-goal mark in blue and white, but it took him 159 games over three season to get there. Now he's off to New York for a seventh-round pick to skate at Madison Square Garden with the Rangers.

The Mitchell trade was the lone move Brian Burke made on deadline day, but the general manager was plenty busy in February shipping out a few veteran players to pile up on draft picks. It will be interesting to see what Burke does closer to the draft and the opening of free agency with his assets.

The Leafs were off yesterday after a disappointing pair of losses on the weekend, but are back at the practice rink today. We should have something fresh in this space later in the day.

Until then, the links:

James Mirtle on a quiet day for Burke.

National Post columnist Bruce Arthur says sanity ruled trade deadline day. Where is the fun in that?

Joffrey Lupul to the Islanders? Sort of.

Cam Cole of PostMedia News makes a valid point or two in this piece on some of the deadline day shenanigans on Twitter, but can we please retire the "live in their parents' basements" shot already?

Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy has a great take on the same subject, including the great Lupul prank.

Down Goes Brown offers his take on the winners and losers on deadline day.

The NHL Network shows you the Dustin Penner trade call between the Oilers and Kings.



Interact with The Globe