I honestly think shinkaruk will be the steal of the draft. Plays C/RW and is ranked almost to go 15th overall, to move up and try to get this guy i would be happy since we would pay less anyways
- Mapleleafs_91

I think Ristolainen will be, but Shinkaruk will cause some head-scratching as well.

"Why didn't we pick him...?"

If we trade Phaneuf we will be throwing our shiny new goalie to the wolves. Everyone loves to rip on him for his mistakes, but no one gives him credit for what he's good at. He keeps big power guys like Malkin, Ovi, Kovalchuk, etc. in check and always has. But he makes a bad pinch or gets burned by a speedy, smaller player and that's all people notice.
- BetterCallSaul

Trading Phaneuf would be "How to ruin a goalie 101".

How many games would Bernier last behind Gunnarsson and Kostka as the top pairing? And how many games before Gardiner gets thrown to the wolves?

People forget that in game 7 vs. Boston, Franson and Gardiner were out there for 3 of 5 against. Phaneuf takes the hate so that our young, developing players don't get exposed.

Not really an overpayment Mr. Dozzerychel
- AdamFrench

you think anybody you're getting at 5 is guaranteed to be better than Gardiner? cause I don't.

nevermind better than Gardiner AND whoever we pick at 21 combined

Trading Phaneuf would be "How to ruin a goalie 101".

How many games would Bernier last behind Gunnarsson and Kostka as the top pairing? And how many games before Gardiner gets thrown to the wolves?

People forget that in game 7 vs. Boston, Franson and Gardiner were out there for 3 of 5 against. Phaneuf takes the hate so that our young, developing players don't get exposed.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Gardiner Franson

Ference Gunner

Fraser Blacker

nobody wants to see this team without Phaneuf with no legit #1 dman coming back.
- Big_Lightnin

What number do we re-sign him at, then?

true.

I added to the last one... Bourdon should not have been called a bust. Nucks fans would have lost their poop for that one... kinda offside.
- Big_Lightnin

I honestly forgot he died. But I guess he could be put in the "could have gone either way" category.

Gardiner Franson

Ference Gunner

Fraser Blacker
- Mapleleafs_91

oh dear god that's terrifying.

Reimer and Bernier would be fighting for who doesn't have to play each night

you think anybody you're getting at 5 is guaranteed to be better than Gardiner? cause I don't.

nevermind better than Gardiner AND whoever we pick at 21 combined
- Big_Lightnin

Not anybody. Just Barkov/Lindholm/Drouin/Ristolainen/Monahan/Nurse/Wennberg/Shinkaruk

Trading Phaneuf would be "How to ruin a goalie 101".

How many games would Bernier last behind Gunnarsson and Kostka as the top pairing? And how many games before Gardiner gets thrown to the wolves?

People forget that in game 7 vs. Boston, Franson and Gardiner were out there for 3 of 5 against. Phaneuf takes the hate so that our young, developing players don't get exposed.
- Leeman4Gilmour

That's a good point and that's what I always thought Burke did as well. He acted like a jack-ass when people questioned his players skill/heart/whatever, and afterwards everyone was focused on Burke the jack-ass and not Kessel the unmotivated. He was a lightning rod for negativity and I think his players respected him for it.

Gardiner Franson

Ference Gunner

Fraser Blacker
- Mapleleafs_91

Bernier's GAA hits 3.00

you think anybody you're getting at 5 is guaranteed to be better than Gardiner? cause I don't.

nevermind better than Gardiner AND whoever we pick at 21 combined
- Big_Lightnin

This is true, no point. Gardiner has shown signs of brilliance throughout season and in playoffs. It would be a HUGE mistake trading away a 22 year old of his potential transcending only up

What number do we re-sign him at, then?
- fifty__missions

$5.5 per

you think anybody you're getting at 5 is guaranteed to be better than Gardiner? cause I don't.

nevermind better than Gardiner AND whoever we pick at 21 combined
- Big_Lightnin

Obviously not guaranteed but puts a blue chip FWD in the prospect pipe. Something we do not have.

Not anybody. Just Barkov/Lindholm/Drouin/Ristolainen/Monahan/Nurse/Wennberg/Shinkaruk
- AdamFrench

Guarnateed?

and Drouin won't be there at 5.

oh dear god that's terrifying.

Reimer and Bernier would be fighting for who doesn't have to play each night
- Big_Lightnin

just because phaneuf isn't there wow you guys are really that scared of 1 guy missing yet hate on him so much, ironic

Gardiner Franson

Ference Gunner

Fraser Blacker
- Mapleleafs_91

A rover and a guy who was 3rd pairing last year as our top pairing?

I'm assuming you are a big McDavid fan.

Guarnateed?

and Drouin won't be there.
- Big_Lightnin

Fowler won't be there at 12...

What number do we re-sign him at, then?
- fifty__missions

If you convince Dion to take a cut to make the team better then you have a real shot of making a perennial contender. I don't think we keep Kessel for anything less than 7m though.

What number do we re-sign him at, then?
- fifty__missions

5.75 on a 5yrs term but most likely get the same contract as his current one.

just because phaneuf isn't there wow you guys are really that scared of 1 guy missing yet hate on him so much, ironic
- Mapleleafs_91

quote me hating on him...

I'll wait

A rover and a guy who was 3rd pairing last year as our top pairing?

I'm assuming you are a big McDavid fan.
- Atomic Wedgie

Either way gardiner and franson are on the rise, would be nice to see how they handle more responsibility. Gunner and ference play a more defensively minded game, and fraser is our bruiser along with blacker given a chance to succeed with limited minutes

If you convince Dion to take a cut to make the team better then you have a real shot of making a perennial contender. I don't think we keep Kessel for anything less than 7m though.
- BetterCallSaul

I think you hope for Dion at $6 milly and Dion at $6.5 milly.

quote me hating on him...

I'll wait
- Big_Lightnin

not saying you, just bunch of leaf fans in general

just because phaneuf isn't there wow you guys are really that scared of 1 guy missing yet hate on him so much, ironic
- Mapleleafs_91

LEafs would be drafting top 5 with their own pick without Dion this year.

A rover and a guy who was 3rd pairing last year as our top pairing?

I'm assuming you are a big McDavid fan.
- Atomic Wedgie

How many games before Bernier demands a trade back to LA?

"I'll sit on the bench... I don't care! Just don't make me go back to that horrible place!"