Santorelli: “I think everything will work out.”

If there's one thing you can say about former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mike Santorelli, it's that he looks on the bright side. Santorelli discussed the Toronto Maple Leafs’ situation Monday, hours after being dealt to the Nashville Predators. He had this to say to Jeff Blair on Sportsnet 590 The Fan: “The team is playing a better all-around game. We made some strides in the D zone and play away from the puck. Some games we got a little snake-bitten as far as not being able to score, but there’s definitely strides that were made. I think everything will work out.” Blair asked about the likelihood of Phaneuf and Kessel wearing the Blue and White next season and Santorelli spoke highly of his former teammates. “They’re both great guys; I really enjoyed playing with them. They’re world-class hockey players, and they’ve proven that. Dion is a big, physical defenceman that can move the puck, and he plays on the power play. I’ve never played with anybody that can shoot the puck like that,” Santorelli said. “I have every confidence that those two will be a big part of [a team] moving forward, whether they’re here or wherever they go.” The pending UFA also spoke about being traded. “I kinda knew it was going to happen,” said Santorelli of the trade, which sent him back to the team that drafted him in 2004. “That’s how the business works.”