June 23, 2009 | 9:36am ET Leafs to pursue Bouwmeester, despite questions
TheFourthPeriod.com
The Maple Leafs are going to be in the hunt for impending unrestricted free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester once July 1 hits, but they are proceeding with caution.
According to the Toronto Sun, the Leafs aren't sure how good Bouwmeester truly is, or can be, and as a result, they aren't likely to get into a bidding war for him.
Leafs GM Brian Burke refused to comment on another team's player, as that would be considered tampering. However, Hall of Fame defenseman Denis Potvin watched every Florida Panthers game as a broadcaster and he is even unsure of Bouwmeester's potential.
"In my view, what Jay has not shown yet is the ability to really control the game, the way a No. 1 defenseman should be able to," Potvin told the Sun. "Now that could change if he ends up going to a team that's a contender and surrounds him with better players. At times, he looks like he wants to control the game, but I don't know if he knows how to do it.
"And, do you want to pay all that money, $7 million a year or more, for a guy who might not be a No. 1 defenseman?"
The Panthers would love to keep him, however it's very unlikely that he'll return to South Florida.
From the Editor: A number of teams have the same questions about Bouwmeester, but there are a number of teams much more interested in him than Toronto. Vancouver, Montreal, Dallas and Colorado, among others, will be hot on Bouwmeester's trail this July. He'll get his big contract and his big bucks. And frankly, I think he's very capable of holding down the fort as a No.1 defenseman. -- David Pagnotta.
