The first moves of the post-Brian Burke era in Toronto will ... probably be easily forgotten.
OK, re-signing Cody Franson is noteworthy enough, but another likely transaction is quite minor. CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty reports that Mike Mottau is expected to receive a one-year, two-way offer once the new CBA is in gear.
Mottau will probably fight for a depth roster spot, possibly settling in the AHL if things go poorly.
The 34-year-old defenseman played 29 games for the New York Islanders and six more for the Boston Bruins last season, earning two assists and a -11 rating in about 14 minutes per game.
Much like Kurtis Foster, one cannot expect him to be a big difference-maker. (If he is, then the Maple Leafs might have another rough season on their hands.) Considering the frightening eye injury Mottau recovered from, it would be a nice story if he made it back into the NHL mix, though.