This could be a chance for him to rejuvenate his career

This could be a chance for him to rejuvenate his career.He was scheduled to make $3 million in each of the next three years. Columbus isn’t far from Toronto and depending on what the Jackets do in free agency he may see his situation here as similar to Peca’s last year. Teams love to add players like him to their lineup.If Columbus were interested I think he might be as well. Tucker is the kind of player that would fit like a glove under Hitch, but he isn’t the play making center or top six winger we desperately need, so I don’t see him as a priority.Tucker will find a home, and pretty quickly I bet. I wouldn’t completely rule him out though, especially if the Jackets strike out on a guy like Ryan Malone. He’s suited best as a third line winger at this point in his career a position with which the Leafs are overflowing.

He makes a team harder to play against.Unfortunately, his game appears to be on the decline. His agitating qualities can at times hurt his own team.Career PotentialThird line winger.Let me be the first to say that I love Darcy Tucker I love the way he plays I love his character I love his competitiveness. Is absolutely fearless.FlawsHas suspect skating ability, which has prevented him from becoming an all-star at the NHL level. Provides an energy boost for his team every shift and has a decent set of hands.

He’s played in 74, 56, and 74 games.Sportsnet’s take:AssetsAlways comes to play and forechecks well. Tucker signed a four-year contract extension with the club back in February of 2007.Will the Jackets be interested?Tucker, 33, notched 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points last year He also finished a -18 with 100 PIMs The previous two years he had 43 and 61 points respectively. “Whether this decision by the Maple Leafs is good business or bad business, only time will tell.”"We’ve been prepared for everything and Darcy and his family are ready to move on,” Sosa added.Tucker has three years remaining on his contract and Toronto will be on the hook for two-thirds, or $6 million paid over a six-year term. We wish him well,” Fletcher told TSN.”It’s a business, Darcy knows that,” Tucker’s agent Carlos Sosa told TSN. According to TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs will buy out Darcy Tucker.Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher alerted Tucker of Toronto’s intention to buy him out on Tuesday afternoon.”The decision is always difficult when you are dealing with a good person. And a second-year player on that ‘02 squad, some Albert Pujols guy, is the best player in baseball.But one thing is the same.Baseball is still just a game.. Fellow starter on the 2002 team, Rick Ankiel, is now the starting CF for the Cardinals.