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Phaneuf Signs Seven Year, $49 Million Extension; Liles For Gleason??

December 31, 2013, 11:43 AM ET [999 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement with team captain Dion Phaneuf on a seven year, $49 Million contract extension.




"Dion is our team leader and has been a pillar in our building process," said Leafs GM Dave Nonis in a statement posted on the club website. "He has proven to be a very durable and reliable defenceman in all facets of the game. He plays big minutes in every situation for us and we're pleased to have him under contract for the next seven seasons."

"This is a very proud day for me and my family," said Phaneuf. "I'm very honoured to be the captain of this historic franchise and to maintain the opportunity to play and represent the Toronto Maple Leafs for many years to come. We have passionate fans and a dedicated ownership group. I have great teammates and look forward to growing with them and achieving our goal of winning."

The 28-year-old defenseman was acquired from Calgary in January 2010 and was in the final year of a six year, $39 Million deal signed with the Flames in 2008. The former Norris Trophy finalist would have likely been one of the more sought after players in free agency next July.

Phaneuf is second on the team in defensive scoring with four goals and 11 assists in 39 games and leads the club in plus/minus with a +13.

The new deal includes a limited no-trade clause, but does not eliminate the possibility of Phaneuf being traded, as the extension does not begin until next July.


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In addition to the speculation that the Leafs are shopping center Nazem Kadri, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported late Monday that Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason continues to be on Toronto's radar and that a swap of defenseman John-Michael Liles for the former US Olympian "doesn't seem to want to go away".

This is a deal that makes a lot of sense for both teams, not only because both are on the outs with their respective teams, but the cap hits are virtually the same. Liles has two more years at $3.875 Million AAV and Gleason makes $4 Million until 2015-16. Liles suffers from the fact that he is another puck moving defenseman who are not strong in the defensive zone on a team that already has Jake Gardiner, rookie Morgan Rielly and Cody Franson.

Gleason is a stay-at-home defenseman who plays with a rough edge and is just 30 years old. Those qualities would be a good match to play with the Leafs offense-first blueliners.


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