Wonder what Dion and his agent will be thinking when its time for a new contract....
- robin_steele264

He and his agent aren't worried because they know the Leafs will hand him a nice, big, long term contract for being the spectacular Alphaneuf that he is.

If he's brittle, he's brittle. Maybe he could get stronger so playing more physical wouldn't hurt him. But this is hockey. If a guy his size won't crash and bang, somebody else will. And more often than not, the big guys who are willing to crash and bang, come out on top.
- Two_For_Truth

except the guys who put the puck in the net on a regular basis.

at that point, no one gives a poop.

Wait, is the cap getting rolled back? If so, then 6.75M. If not...7M, just based on GM's being idiots. Nonis is too conservative to hand out that much. And really, he's not the one who made Phaneuf captain, so what does he have to lose.
- mykokes

If he's not going to give him a big deal to stay, you think he trades him? Or lets him walk for nothing?

He and his agent aren't worried because they know the Leafs will hand him a nice, big, long term contract for being the spectacular Alphaneuf that he is.
- Two_For_Truth

I'm not so sure dude, Tim Connolly getting the AHL treatment, Komisarek sitting on the bench, Lombardi being moved.......Now if the Leafs make the playoffs and Phaneuf performs that could change, but I think Nonis really does have free reign right now......and Phaneuf wasn't his acquisition. Now if Carlyle says keep him, and Carlyle is doing well enough to ask to keep him, and Phaneuf plays well, then that's all moot.

If he's not going to give him a big deal to stay, you think he trades him? Or lets him walk for nothing?
- Two_For_Truth

I think you might get your wish on both Dion and Kessel, but it really does depend on how this season goes. I know they kept Lupul, but I think Loops is the next captain of this team. You saw it at the All star game, he's in his element in the spotlight.

If he's not going to give him a big deal to stay, you think he trades him? Or lets him walk for nothing?
- Two_For_Truth

Hopefully trade rather than nothing. If the markets not quite there, I hope nonis just takes what he can get rather than nothing at all

except the guys who put the puck in the net on a regular basis.

at that point, no one gives a poop.
- joel878

And when the puck isn't going in the net? And the game turns into a war? Then what?

I think you might get your wish on both Dion and Kessel, but it really does depend on how this season goes. I know they kept Lupul, but I think Loops is the next captain of this team. You saw it at the All star game, he's in his element in the spotlight.
- mykokes

I'd rather keep Kessel than phaneuf. Kessel is an elite talent who has been showing signs last and this year of attempting to round his game out. However if accurate, a top six forward, top prospect and pick doesnt sound too shabby either

And when the puck isn't going in the net? And the game turns into a war? Then what?
- Two_For_Truth

Call out orr. thats like saying the same thing about kessel. JVRs role isnt about toughness. yeah he has size, and yeah its too bad he doesnt use it. But that doesnt mean he doesnt do a good job filling a role.

I'm not so sure dude, Tim Connolly getting the AHL treatment, Komisarek sitting on the bench, Lombardi being moved.......Now if the Leafs make the playoffs and Phaneuf performs that could change, but I think Nonis really does have free reign right now......and Phaneuf wasn't his acquisition. Now if Carlyle says keep him, and Carlyle is doing well enough to ask to keep him, and Phaneuf plays well, then that's all moot.
- mykokes

Connolly, Komisarek and Lombardi aren't anywhere close to Phaneuf. Phaneuf is one of the faces they use to sell the team. The only way he and Kessel leave is if they want to test the UFA market otherwise the Leafs are probably delighted to keep them. They aren't ideal building blocks but without them, the Leafs have to start all over and I really doubt that's where they want to go, as much as it would be better for the future of the team if they did.

Call out orr. thats like saying the same thing about kessel. JVRs role isnt about toughness. yeah he has size, and yeah its too bad he doesnt use it. But that doesnt mean he doesnt do a good job filling a role.
- kylkri

So then you have the grit without the talent.

See, what would be ideal is to have a guy who has the talent to also show some grit and use his natural gifts to his advantage. That's the dangerous combination that usually works best.

I'd rather keep Kessel than phaneuf. Kessel is an elite talent who has been showing signs last and this year of attempting to round his game out. However if accurate, a top six forward, top prospect and pick doesnt sound too shabby either
- kylkri

I think Kessel is the one that has the say in those negotiations, whereas the leafs have the say in the Phaneuf ones. If someones going to get that big ugly contract, it would be Kessel.....let's see how this season goes first. They're both important to this team right now, so leave it at that.

Connolly, Komisarek and Lombardi aren't anywhere close to Phaneuf. Phaneuf is one of the faces they use to sell the team. The only way he and Kessel leave is if they want to test the UFA market otherwise the Leafs are probably delighted to keep them. They aren't ideal building blocks but without them, the Leafs have to start all over and I really doubt that's where they want to go, as much as it would be better for the future of the team if they did.
- Two_For_Truth

it's Toronto. they used Tie Domi and Darcy Tucker to sell the team. and those were actually good teams.

So then you have the grit without the talent.

See, what would be ideal is to have a guy who has the talent to also show some grit and use his natural gifts to his advantage. That's the dangerous combination that usually works best.
- Two_For_Truth

so put orr on kessels line? lol

it's Toronto. they used Tie Domi and Darcy Tucker to sell the team. and those were actually good teams.
- DoubleDown

C'mon now, Sundin was the guy...

To Toronto: Ryan O`Reilly. To Colorado: Gunnerson, MacA, 2nd??

C'mon now, Sundin was the guy...
- Two_For_Truth

when the Leafs are in Montreal, you see more Domi/Tucker jerseys than Sundin jerseys. im talking purely from a marketing standpoint.

I think you might get your wish on both Dion and Kessel, but it really does depend on how this season goes. I know they kept Lupul, but I think Loops is the next captain of this team. You saw it at the All star game, he's in his element in the spotlight.
- mykokes

A wish is a wish for a reason. Signing Lupul is just the first step to signing the other two. Nonis has constantly said he likes the core he has. His faith in them is mistaken but it's there. But he's careful not to over commit to them because negotiating contracts is probably a concern.

Connolly, Komisarek and Lombardi aren't anywhere close to Phaneuf. Phaneuf is one of the faces they use to sell the team. The only way he and Kessel leave is if they want to test the UFA market otherwise the Leafs are probably delighted to keep them. They aren't ideal building blocks but without them, the Leafs have to start all over and I really doubt that's where they want to go, as much as it would be better for the future of the team if they did.
- Two_For_Truth

I think that's the case moreso with Kessel. Again, with Phaneuf, he's gotta have Carlyle on his side making a case to extend him. Kessel, is going to sign wherever he damn well wants. As much as we get on Phaneuf, he's got pride being a leaf. Kessel I always feel is going through the motions and that's probably why you and many of us don't like him being in that role as our top player. We want our top players to bleed for this team as well as be skilled. That's why we love that little Belarussian so much, why we loved clark, and gilmour. And i don't think this team has to start right over......many building blocks are appearing where none were expected. Don't look too much into that last comment, I mean there's still 35 games to go. I'm also hoping somehow, some way the 2013 draft gives us a top centre like Richards/Getlzaf.

when the Leafs are in Montreal, you see more Domi/Tucker jerseys than Sundin jerseys. im talking purely from a marketing standpoint.
- DoubleDown

That's not much of a barometer. Even from a marketing standpoint, Sundin played over 13 years with the Leafs, most of them as captain, best player, leading scorer etc...pretty sure he moved more jerseys too.

I think Kessel is the one that has the say in those negotiations, whereas the leafs have the say in the Phaneuf ones. If someones going to get that big ugly contract, it would be Kessel.....let's see how this season goes first. They're both important to this team right now, so leave it at that.
- mykokes

True enough. Kessel could probably enjoy hiding away in a place like florida. Too bad lupul is out. He has the charisma and skill to let kessel hide in his shadow.

I think that's the case moreso with Kessel. Again, with Phaneuf, he's gotta have Carlyle on his side making a case to extend him. Kessel, is going to sign wherever he damn well wants. As much as we get on Phaneuf, he's got pride being a leaf. Kessel I always feel is going through the motions and that's probably why you and many of us don't like him being in that role as our top player. We want our top players to bleed for this team as well as be skilled. That's why we love that little Belarussian so much, why we loved clark, and gilmour. And i don't think this team has to start right over......many building blocks are appearing where none were expected. Don't look too much into that last comment, I mean there's still 35 games to go. I'm also hoping somehow, some way the 2013 draft gives us a top centre like Richards/Getlzaf.
- mykokes

If it's up to Carlyle, Nonis signs them both to whatever they want and keeps spending money to fill all the holes to save both their asses.

And when the puck isn't going in the net? And the game turns into a war? Then what?
- Two_For_Truth

it's a moot point. just because you're 6'3" doesn't mean you have to live and die by a physical game. it's just irrelevant. you should be beaking guys like stamkos if that's the case.

i know how this goes. if you dare disagree with UG, prepare for the backlash.

at the end of the day, even if you we're to realize how senseless of a point it is (5 million to 1 that happens), you'll be pretty quick on the draw to find something else to whine about. if you're not finding something to nitpick the leafs about, you're not happy.

so good luck with that.

I think that's the case moreso with Kessel. Again, with Phaneuf, he's gotta have Carlyle on his side making a case to extend him. Kessel, is going to sign wherever he damn well wants. As much as we get on Phaneuf, he's got pride being a leaf. Kessel I always feel is going through the motions and that's probably why you and many of us don't like him being in that role as our top player. We want our top players to bleed for this team as well as be skilled. That's why we love that little Belarussian so much, why we loved clark, and gilmour. And i don't think this team has to start right over......many building blocks are appearing where none were expected. Don't look too much into that last comment, I mean there's still 35 games to go. I'm also hoping somehow, some way the 2013 draft gives us a top centre like Richards/Getlzaf.
- mykokes

Or free agency.... Leafs have the money for getz but, unless they can somehow make the playoffs and do half decent (prob not) I dont see why he would come here.

it's a moot point. just because you're 6'3" doesn't mean you have to live and die by a physical game. it's just irrelevant. you should be beaking guys like stamkos if that's the case.

i know how this goes. if you dare disagree with UG, prepare for the backlash.

at the end of the day, even if you we're to realize how senseless of a point it is (5 million to 1 that happens), you'll be pretty quick on the draw to find something else to whine about. if you're not finding something to nitpick the leafs about, you're not happy.

so good luck with that.
- joel878

I want antropov back