Its no secret, that Gards needs alot of work down in the defensive zone.

On that note......... I am going to say it.

Phaneuf has been a total beast the past month or so. True number one defenseman.

I wonder if there wouldn't be Norris talk surrounding him if he wasn't saddled with Holzer/Kotska for most of the season.
- faceto27

Phaneuf play has been notably better during the past three or four weeks... but I believe the reason is his move back to the right side more than anything else. Playing with Kostka and then Holzer meant he was playing the left... they weren't that bad for the most part.

I don't think he should be paired with a guy like Gardiner, Liles or Gunnarson long term. Personally, he seems to play better when he knows he's the guy who can and should rush the puck, which we are seeing more glimpses of recently and when the other defender does the bulk of the work in front of the net.

Ok 7 million max, if he continues to improve....I could understand that.

But Im not willing to give a lot of cash until he starts scoring goals against Boston.
- Fakepartofme

7 million max?

How do you make an arguement that Perry or Getzlaf deserve more?

yup.

he's thinking too much right now... "what should be doing right now", and for instinctive players that tiny delay or uncertainty causes problems...

it doesn't seem to be in his nature to make that 15 foot pass, he's always looking for the long bomb or to skate it out of trouble as a first instinct, which doesn't jive with the Carlyle break-out.

another difference this year is that he doesn't have Wilson around to blame his screw-ups on Luke Schenn.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I was going to say he looked unconfident and shaky... pretty much what you said.

He made some absolutely horrendous plays last night.

Yeah but look at his comparables in terms of point production the last couple years. He has also proven this year that he can do it without Lupul and still with no #1 centerman.

There aren't a lot of solid 2-way players who bring much more to the table than Kessel. i.e., they are all pretty 1-dimensional.

So, if they decide to try to keep him, I worry that the price is more like 7.5 or 8 even.
- Aetherial

I personally think there will be some kind of hometeam discount. 6.5-7.0 is my guess. Sounds like a lot, but when guys like Hall and Eberle are getting 6.0 million, and Seguin/Skinner are getting 5.75 million, Kessel IS a 7.0+ million player in this market, and we need to recognize that.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 6m

Marlies have signed Josh Leivo to a tryout contract. He joins the team tonight. Leafs third rounder in 2011 had very good OHL season.


This will make Lu very happy
- faceto27

Nice.

LOL
Hows it rude and disrespectful? It was reaching...I didn't disrespect his comment just simply shook my head.


- Fakepartofme

listen.

this isnt for debate.. either offer something tangible or just dont post anything.

just clicking a couple emoticons and saying "oh boy" is no longer going to be tolerated.

end of story. that kind of poop just annoys me and i'm simply not putting up with it any longer.. the tone is that of talking down to someone. it stuns me that you cannot see that for yourself.

now.. drop it

I personally think there will be some kind of hometeam discount. 6.5-7.0 is my guess. Sounds like a lot, but when guys like Hall and Eberle are getting 6.0 million, and Seguin/Skinner are getting 5.75 million, Kessel IS a 7.0+ million player in this market, and we need to recognize that.
- p_zub

I do not believe there will be a home town discount.

He will get something comparable to Getzlaf and Perry contracts.

7.5 or 8, for 8 years would not surprise me.

Reading a great book on Arthur Wellesley
- AdamFrench

ahhh the english leader?

ahhh the english leader?
- Dozzer

He sure likes to talk poop about commoners

Toronto and Vancouver have the same amount of wins and losses. Toronto plays in a way tougher division, and our "back up" goalie has better stats than both their all star goalies. Toronto is positioned perfectly for the cap situation, Vancouver not so much. One is a team on the rise, one is a team who's window is pretty well closed.

That he has done what he has while playing with these guys is a true testament to how phenomenal he has been
- lumlums

This.

He sure likes to talk poop about commoners
- AdamFrench

lol i dont know all that much about him.. recognize the name.. thats about it

I do not believe there will be a home town discount.

He will get something comparable to Getzlaf and Perry contracts.

7.5 or 8, for 8 years would not surprise me.
- Aetherial

I honestly think there can be...and it may relate to the Leafs' willingness to sign Bozak. They share agents, as well as their bed.

I honestly think there can be...and it may relate to the Leafs' willingness to sign Bozak. They share agents, as well as their bed.
- p_zub

Yeah but look at his comparables in terms of point production the last couple years. He has also proven this year that he can do it without Lupul and still with no #1 centerman.

There aren't a lot of solid 2-way players who bring much more to the table than Kessel. i.e., they are all pretty 1-dimensional.

So, if they decide to try to keep him, I worry that the price is more like 7.5 or 8 even.
- Aetherial

For that price he has to start scoring and showing up for Bruin games.
8 milllion....yikes......not sure about that....he better have a great playoffs.

I honestly think there can be...and it may relate to the Leafs' willingness to sign Bozak. They share agents, as well as their bed.
- p_zub

They got bunk beds, so much more room for activities.

- Aetherial

All in good joking....but really, they do have the same agent, Wade Arnott I belive. I think they can work something out. Kessel likes being in Toronto...

Very interesting.

Brodeur........ a Devil.

Has been stuck on the same amount of career wins for the past 10 games.

666

listen.

this isnt for debate.. either offer something tangible or just dont post anything.

just clicking a couple emoticons and saying "oh boy" is no longer going to be tolerated.

end of story. that kind of poop just annoys me and i'm simply not putting up with it any longer.. the tone is that of talking down to someone. it stuns me that you cannot see that for yourself.

now.. drop it
- Dozzer

You make me hot in my pants

For that price he has to start scoring and showing up for Bruin games.
8 milllion....yikes......not sure about that....he better have a great playoffs.
- Fakepartofme

Perry, Getzlaf, Kovalchuk, God knows who else...

His agent is going to have a field day. He's gonna get an ugly contract and if they Leafs won't do it, I bet there are 10 other teams that will.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 3m

After last night, Jake Gardiner is first in the NHL in Corsi Relative. Holzer a bit further down (664th) http://bit.ly/14sIjOH

The code of conduct clearly states no using emoticons. Duh.

They have "tone" thats right the text has "tone" a disrespectful one too.

Toronto and Vancouver have the same amount of wins and losses. Toronto plays in a way tougher division, and our "back up" goalie has better stats than both their all star goalies. Toronto is positioned perfectly for the cap situation, Vancouver not so much. One is a team on the rise, one is a team who's window is pretty well closed.
- Bigzby

You can also add that Toronto is the 3rd youngest team in the league, while Vancouver's core is aging.

You can also add than Toronto's prospect pool is deeper that Vancouver's.

You can also add that Carlyle has done an excellent job this season, while AV is just same old same old.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 3m

After last night, Jake Gardiner is first in the NHL in Corsi Relative. Holzer a bit further down (664th) http://bit.ly/14sIjOH
- faceto27

how many reasons now for why Corsi isn't trustworthy yet?

You can also add that Toronto is the 3rd youngest team in the league, while Vancouver's core is aging.

You can also add than Toronto's prospect pool is deeper that Vancouver's.

You can also add that Carlyle has done an excellent job this season, while AV is just same old same old.
- As_I_See_It

You can also add that we finally have a (frank)en hockey team!!!


Woooooooohooooooooo