Toronto Acquires Jamal Mayers

[Jensen]

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday night the hockey club has acquired forward Jamal Mayers from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for the 70th overall pick in this year’s entry draft. The Maple Leafs originally acquired the third round draft pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Chad Kilger on February 26, 2008.

Mayers, a Toronto native, skated in 80 games for St. Louis this season, collecting 27 points on 12 goals and 15 assists, along with 91 penalty minutes. He registered career highs in assists and shots on goal (153) in 2007-08.

Mayers has appeared in 80 games for the Blues in each of the past two seasons and three of the past four campaigns.

The 6’ 1, 214 pound winger has played in 595 career NHL games, all with St. Louis, and has recorded 71 goals, 87 assists and 158 points, along with 756 penalty minutes. The Blues originally selected Mayers in the fourth round, 89th overall in the 1993 NHL Draft.

Internationally, Mayers was a member of Team Canada that won the silver medal at the 2008 IIHF World Championships held in Quebec City and Halifax. In nine games with Team Canada, the 33-year-old tallied two goals and three assists, along with a plus-six rating. He was also a member of Team Canada, which won the gold medal at the 2007 World Championships.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

Very nice. This is a step in the right direction as far as getting tougher goes. Mayers with a legit heavyweight and Ben Ondrus would make for a hell of a 4th line. Being a Toronto boy, we know Mayers is going to work his ass off here, even at 33/34 years old. I like this move.

[FlagsFan]

Wow, didn't see that one coming, but with my whole family being Leafs fans i kinda like this move, now i might be able to bear watching them every once in a while.

[BM24]

A third rounder is a bit of a steep pick for Jamal Mayers. That being said, I think it is a step in the right direction. I want guys in Toronto who want to be in Toronto. Jamal is a Toronto boy who has been selected to play for Team Canada and always been highly regarded as a good person. I have no doubt he will raise the work ethic and in game effort of the players around him.

On a fighting level, obviously a team is tougher with Mayers on it, then without... hopefully he puts up between 8-10 fights and will entertain us!

[Cat Smasher]

Schwing.

[Cat Smasher]

We have two third round picks, 68, and 70. They could part with one. But didn't Cliff say no one above 30? Doesn't matter, I like it.

[Snipes19]

Wow... I am surprised to hear about this. I wasn't expecting Jammer to go, and I'm a little sad to hear this too.

Toronto fans - you are getting a great player. Not in terms of skill, but just a true hockey player.

Jammer brings A LOT to the table. Toughness, speed, a good penalty killer, awesome leadership in the lockerroom, and he will score 10-15 goals a year on the 4th-line. Now who wouldn't want a guy like that on their team?

Mayers is truly a class act and I wish him the best in Toronto. He was a long-time Blue so it's tough to see him go, but I'm glad he will be able to go to his hometown in Toronto. I'm sure that was his first choice.

So this was a good trade for both teams. Tucker is probably gone from the Leafs, so they pick-up a legit middleweight to fill in for him. Nice move by the Leafs. Now hopefully they acquire a heavyweight.

On the Blues part, this just gives us another draft pick, and a 3rd-rounder at that - so not bad at all. We are loaded with picks, and Andy Strickland, who covers the Blues, reports that this is setting up a larger deal for the Blues, so I'm excited to see what that turns out to be.

So this helps both teams. Thanks for everything Jammer - he's a classy guy and was great to the fans! Good luck in Toronto and I hope you do great there.

While I'm shocked to hear that Mayers has been traded, Toronto has been going after him for at least a couple years I believe, so it makes sense that they've acquired him.

The Blues just had too many grinders and trading Mayers allows them to free some space and give his roster spot to somebody else.

[paint huffer]

This is good for the Buds. He won't get them into the playoffs, but he will add a veteran presence that will help develop their younger players. I think they (finally) are recognizing where they stand and building around that. Nice moves for the Leafs.

[Thrillhouse]

Alright! That's the last of the draft picks I want gone though...maybe pick up a few more tomorrow?

[The DZA]

Ive always liked Jamal Mayers but would have liked this move more if it was done oh I dont know, 5 years ago

Toronto: where NHL careers come to die

[jayc948]

Like BM said, a third rounder was a bit steep for Mayers, but I think we all know that he's certainly a good addition to the team. Should be fun having another tough cat in the East.

[skacore]

awesome pick up!!!

[BGDDYKWL]

Tough to not like this as a Leafs fan, but with the writing seemingly on the wall in terms of Tucker being bought out, this move essentially just balances out the toughness scale. They'll need to do quite a bit more before I'm happy. Baby steps I guess.

[IcePlayer]

I like this signing for the Leafs. Mayers always plays with a lot of heart and I'll never forget that great scrap with Tootoo! It seems that Blues fans only have good things to say about him and he'll breathe SOME life and belief into that Leafs dressing room which everyone knows they need, this year will be tough.

As for Tucker, as a Sens fan I'm sad to hear he will most probably be leaving Toronto I LOVE to hate him and will have to find a new Leafs player to hate just as much, Antropov is fast volunteering himself along with Mark Bell...

[FitzGerald28]

Finally a player who might care what happens on the ice, he is better than Pole, Pokanhonsky, devereux, kilger, and everyother crappy NHL'r that filled the 3rd and 4th line for the leafs last year.