Based on what I just read, the Leafs have to trade Phaneuf. They have no choice going forward.
- aminnes

What'd you just read?

The problem, as has been reiterated a million times around here, is that you just aren't going to find a guy on par with Phaneuf who can play in all situations for a cheaper price tag (without losing assets).
- Leeman4Gilmour

I agree with you, but that's the problem, over payment for a mediocre product.

Worst part, next year the mediocrity will be asking for a raise.

It should be interesting around this time next year when Dion's asking for Letang type of money, or just south of it.

Or, to put it another way, they must extend his contract and keep him.
- Zezel

Then no Kessel. They're cap is totally mangled unless someone with a big yearly rate leaves. Clarkson just got the money that could have been used for Dion.

What'd you just read?
- burn

The article. They just have to move a big contract or going forward they are screwed. Not saying it has to be him, but I can't see anyone else moving.

I agree with you, but that's the problem, over payment for a mediocre product.

Worst part, next year the mediocrity will be asking for a raise.

It should be interesting around this time next year when Dion's asking for Letang type of money, or just south of it.
- puckstanza

Mediocre.

I agree with you, but that's the problem, over payment for a mediocre product.

Worst part, next year the mediocrity will be asking for a raise.

It should be interesting around this time next year when Dion's asking for Letang type of money, or just south of it.
- puckstanza

mediocre C'mon he's above average talent

Then no Kessel. They're cap is totally mangled unless someone with a big yearly rate leaves. Clarkson just got the money that could have been used for Dion.
- aminnes

the money coming off the books covers Kessel up to $7.9M. I doubt he goes over $8M long term.

CLarksons hit is less than Grabos was

I agree with you, but that's the problem, over payment for a mediocre product.

Worst part, next year the mediocrity will be asking for a raise.

It should be interesting around this time next year when Dion's asking for Letang type of money, or just south of it.
- puckstanza

The alternative is overpayment for sub-mediocrity.

Find a decent partner for Phaneuf and he's easily a top 10 defenseman in this league.

the money coming off the books covers Kessel up to $7.9M. I doubt he goes over $8M long term.
- Big_Lightnin

What about all the other players? Without the depth they go back to the Dion-Phil show and come in 10th.

The article. They just have to move a big contract or going forward they are screwed. Not saying it has to be him, but I can't see anyone else moving.
- aminnes

They have cap space and loads of money...... And the cap is going up. Needing to move a big contract makes no sense.

Better results? Top 10 consistsnly in dman scoring, playing the toughest mins in the league (3 most last year).


Nonsense.
- burn

For the record, Dion in my opinion is not without his merits, but is he worth 7 million plus next year?

the money coming off the books covers Kessel up to $7.9M. I doubt he goes over $8M long term.

CLarksons hit is less than Grabos was
- Big_Lightnin

I'm talking regardless of Grabo, he's gone. They are screwed cap wise. They have to move a big contract. Letting smaller depth guys go will only lead to TB style problems where everything falls on 3-4 guys. Someone has to be moved.

What about all the other players? Without the depth they go back to the Dion-Phil show and come in 10th.
- aminnes

They're fine in that regard, and they got young guys coming.

They have cap space and loads of money...... And the cap is going up. Needing to move a big contract makes no sense.
- burn

No one knows what the cap is going to do for sure. It's a massive gamble banking on it going up enough to keep everyone. Someone has to go. Maybe not Phaneuf, although with his likely overpaid salary coming it does make the most sense.

I'm talking regardless of Grabo, he's gone. They are screwed cap wise. They have to move a big contract. Letting smaller depth guys go will only lead to TB style problems where everything falls on 3-4 guys. Someone has to be moved.
- aminnes

They're screwed?

They're fine in that regard, and they got young guys coming.
- burn

Go look at cap geek. So who takes the place of all these guys? To keep one guy at 7 million means losing 2-3 very important depth guys that were the difference in getting them into the playoffs.

They're screwed?
- burn

Cap wise, yes.

No one knows what the cap is going to do for sure. It's a massive gamble banking on it going up enough to keep everyone. Someone has to go. Maybe not Phaneuf, although with his likely overpaid salary coming it does make the most sense.
- aminnes

There is no need to move anyone for cap reason. They're fine.

its the smile that makes this one perfect
- Big_Lightnin

I know..
For some reason David and Goliath only works in movies. Don't know why.

Cap wise, yes.
- aminnes

Not at all.

There is no need to move anyone for cap reason. They're fine.
- burn

You need to read the article on who becomes UFA in the coming years. And they still haven't signed the guys they had last year. Again, I know you love Dion, and maybe it doesn't have to be him, but someone is going to have to be moved, don't be surprised when it happens.

Go look at cap geek. So who takes the place of all these guys? To keep one guy at 7 million means losing 2-3 very important depth guys that were the difference in getting them into the playoffs.
- aminnes

Oh I'm quite familiar with cap geek and their cap situation, and no it does not mean loosing 2-3 depth guys. Not at all.

500k means loosing 2-3 guys? That makes zero sense. None at all.

You need to read the article on who becomes UFA in the coming years. And they still haven't signed the guys they had last year. Again, I know you love Dion, and maybe it doesn't have to be him, but someone is going to have to be moved, don't be surprised when it happens.
- aminnes

I'm talking regardless of Grabo, he's gone. They are screwed cap wise. They have to move a big contract. Letting smaller depth guys go will only lead to TB style problems where everything falls on 3-4 guys. Someone has to be moved.
- aminnes

no, they really are not.

you probably trade 1 of Bolland or Kulemin and replace with a Marlie promotion. McClement gets a raise but not a crazy one.

with all the outdoor games the cap will likely be back north of $70M next summer.

Oh I'm quite familiar with cap geek and their cap situation, and no it does not mean loosing 2-3 depth guys. Not at all.

500k means loosing 2-3 guys? That makes zero sense. None at all.
- burn

At the end of this season, they will have to spend upwards of 15-16 million to keep bith Phil and Phaneuf. Can't happen unless others are gone. There isn't enough space unless the cap goes way up. They have zero cap space, thats why they haven't signed some of their key people as it is.