The Maple Leafs acquired forward Ryan Hollweg in a deal with the New York Rangers on July 14 in exchange for a fifth-round draft selection in 2009. The Maple Leafs were predicted to have a disappointing season due to their inexperienced roster. This proved to be right, as they dropped out of the playoff race early and showed no evidence of rebound. At the trade deadline, Toronto dealt away their only real threat in Martin Brijess, sending him to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Jiri Hudler. The Maple Leafs finished last overall with a total of 32 wins, 51 losses and 1 tie. Hollweg, 24, spent most of the 2008-09 season with the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He had seven goals and eight assists in 44 games before being called up by New York on January 26, 2009. The 6'1", 190 lb center has also played for Germany at the 2006 World Junior Championships and at the 2005 Under-18 World Championship. He was selected by the Rangers in the third round, 79th overall, of the 2007 NHL Draft. Hollweg made his NHL debut two days after being traded to the Maple Leafs. He scored his first career goal against Devan Dubnyk of the Edmonton Oilers on January 29, 2009. He also added an assist that night.