Hold on so at 8.5 mill in space, according to the article, lets say Kadri gets 2.75, and Fraser gets 1.5. Franson after the Gunner signing is for sure a 4 million dollar guy, if not more. That means 8.25 million in a perfect world scenario, with no wiggle room whatsoever. If any one of these guys gets even a quarter mill more than what you are saying they can't sign him.

Fair enough. 8 years/58mill is a hell of a contract for a non-superstar though.
- 1979AD

Honestly, Letang isn't that good. He's at par with Phaneuf.

Hold on so at 8.5 mill in space, according to the article, lets say Kadri gets 2.75, and Fraser gets 1.5. Franson after the Gunner signing is for sure a 4 million dollar guy, if not more. That means 8.25 million in a perfect world scenario, with no wiggle room whatsoever. If any one of these guys gets even a quarter mill more than what you are saying they can't sign him.
- aminnes

That's assuming they don't move Liles or Kulemin.

There no market in that you can't compare him really to anyone else. He and his agent can't compare themselves to players who have 3 or 4 years of NHL experience and the numbers to back it up. They have half a season of ammunition.
- faceto27

I realize that, but then how did you come up with your number? And for the record, of Kadri had put up similar nums for 3-4 seasons he'debe getting north of 6 million.

That's assuming they don't move Liles or Kulemin.
- RogerRoeper

Who in the world would take Liles and send no salary back with the cap going down?

Honestly, Letang isn't that good. He's at par with Phaneuf.
- RogerRoeper

Pittsburgh way overpaid, TB 2007 2.0

Honestly, Letang isn't that good. He's at par with Phaneuf.
- RogerRoeper

Then why is it a consensus that Phaneuf is overpaid at $6.5/yr?

Who are the D superstars then?

Weber
Chara
Suter
Karlsson
Keith
Pietrangelo
- 1979AD

Oliver Ekman-Larsson...guy does it all.

Gunner should not be compared to Ference and Scuderi or Sidenberg. All of them are much more convential stay at home Dmen. They are better at clearing the net. Gunner is a good positional Dman which allows him to play top line minutes and not be as exhausted as the other that spend time chasing the puck. That is why he can be the default number 2 Dman he has been. If Phanuef played with Ference he would be more effective than he has been now. He has to play offence and clear the net. Good reason why he was so bagged in game 7. He was called on to do too much. Phaneuf is not a bad W dman, he just needs a proper number 2.

If they traded him to Edmonton he would become a superstar again.Kinda like Sundin without the wingers for years. 1 player does not make a pair.

Lupul is a left winger because we needed skill to be paired with Kessel so we put him on his off wing. It allowed him greater success because his stick was opposite from properly positioned Dmen. Kinda like fighting a southpaw. Takes some time to adjust. Lupul is skilled but it is more apparent because the switch allowed him a slight advantage.

Nothing wrong with having guys on the third line that can jump into top 6 rolls. It sucks having guys in the top 6 that can't play in bottom 6 rolls. That's depth and the reason we aquired Bolland and Clarkson. Kulemin is great cause he has the size, skill and humbleness that he can play that roll.

Franson has improved defensively but is still not a strong 2 way defender. He is MUCH BETTER at getting the puck to the net than any of our other Dmen.

Fraser is a warrior who is willing to fight and sacrifice himself for his team. That quality should never be belittled, even he does not fit into our current lineup or plan. We should not bad mouth him for what he brought to the team this year. Thank you Mark Fraser!

Liles was brought in to replace Kaberle's puck moving ability a few years back. He did so very well until being injured and his size was exposed. His work ethic is hard and his commitment to showing the younger guys the value of staying in shape was why Burke signed him to his current contract. He may not be moveable without retaining some cap and is still valuable until Gardiner or Rielly show they can take his spot.

Kessel will re-sign with us.

Phaneuf may do the same if the team and the fan base repay his loyalty and stop dogging him.

Grabo is not greater than Bozak or Kadri. He was small and skilled. He played hard, but there was no room for him in the new form of the team. It was not a knock on him that they let him go, it was a business decision. Bozak is bigger andplays defense that allows the two skill guys longer forays into the offensive zone. He is a great player and played whatever roll he was given for his time here. Thank you Grabo, sorry business sqeezed you and your contract out of the future plans. I hope you sign on a team with a strong future and that your kids enjoy the savings you have provided for their future.

The end, thanks for readin my rant!

Then why is it a consensus that Phaneuf is overpaid at $6.5/yr?
- 1979AD

Cause he plays on the Leafs.

Cause he plays on the Leafs.
- stevecarpetman

Now now. IF they could keep him for 5 million do it up. Putting him in the echalon of 7 million dollar d men is only going to put more unwanted pressure on him, and leave the club unable to bring in that needed number 2 guy as you said, without seriously downgrading on another area of the team.

Hold on so at 8.5 mill in space, according to the article, lets say Kadri gets 2.75, and Fraser gets 1.5. Franson after the Gunner signing is for sure a 4 million dollar guy, if not more. That means 8.25 million in a perfect world scenario, with no wiggle room whatsoever. If any one of these guys gets even a quarter mill more than what you are saying they can't sign him.
- aminnes

huh??

Pittsburgh way overpaid, TB 2007 2.0
- aminnes

I realize that, but then how did you come up with your number? And for the record, of Kadri had put up similar nums for 3-4 seasons he'debe getting north of 6 million.
- aminnes

Bridge deal for an RFA who've proven way more than Kadri are usually under $3M.

Subban's a good example, though realize D isn't a great comparison. He was top pairing D in Montreal for 2 yrs before his current deal.

Duchene's deal was $3.5M (2 years ago) and he was already their #1C at the time with 2 80 game seasons under his belt.

Just don't see Kadri having the leverage... just like PK

Hold on so at 8.5 mill in space, according to the article, lets say Kadri gets 2.75, and Fraser gets 1.5. Franson after the Gunner signing is for sure a 4 million dollar guy, if not more. That means 8.25 million in a perfect world scenario, with no wiggle room whatsoever. If any one of these guys gets even a quarter mill more than what you are saying they can't sign him.
- aminnes

This also needs to stop. He's not getting that, even in arbitration. Doubt it will even be $1M.

Bridge deal for an RFA who've proven way more than Kadri are usually under $3M.

Subban's a good example, though realize D isn't a great comparison. He was top pairing D in Montreal for 2 yrs before his current deal.

Duchene's deal was $3.5M (2 years ago) and he was already their #1C at the time with 2 80 game seasons under his belt.

Just don't see Kadri having the leverage... just like PK
- Big_Lightnin

this.

Bridge deal for an RFA who've proven way more than Kadri are usually under $3M.

Subban's a good example, though realize D isn't a great comparison. He was top pairing D in Montreal for 2 yrs before his current deal.

Duchene's deal was $3.5M (2 years ago) and he was already their #1C at the time with 2 80 game seasons under his belt.

Just don't see Kadri having the leverage... just like PK
- Big_Lightnin

Thats what I was looking for. True, Duschene didn't put up the same ppg though, but at least this makes some sense. If Kadri gets let's say 3 million - heck no matter what happens they are up against it for sure with maybe 8.5 million in room.

This also needs to stop. He's not getting that, even in arbitration. Doubt it will even be $1M.
- Big_Lightnin

Really? He's gonna make less than some rookies after a great season as a stay at home. I though 1.5 was being lowball.

This also needs to stop. He's not getting that, even in arbitration. Doubt it will even be $1M.
- Big_Lightnin

I agree..... I have no idea where people get this from.

Really? He's gonna make less than some rookies after a great season as a stay at home. I though 1.5 was being lowball.
- aminnes

Half a season of sheltered mins and you want to give him the farm??

Gunner should not be compared to Ference and Scuderi or Sidenberg. All of them are much more convential stay at home Dmen. They are better at clearing the net. Gunner is a good positional Dman which allows him to play top line minutes and not be as exhausted as the other that spend time chasing the puck. That is why he can be the default number 2 Dman he has been. If Phanuef played with Ference he would be more effective than he has been now. He has to play offence and clear the net. Good reason why he was so bagged in game 7. He was called on to do too much. Phaneuf is not a bad W dman, he just needs a proper number 2.

If they traded him to Edmonton he would become a superstar again.Kinda like Sundin without the wingers for years. 1 player does not make a pair.

Lupul is a left winger because we needed skill to be paired with Kessel so we put him on his off wing. It allowed him greater success because his stick was opposite from properly positioned Dmen. Kinda like fighting a southpaw. Takes some time to adjust. Lupul is skilled but it is more apparent because the switch allowed him a slight advantage.

Nothing wrong with having guys on the third line that can jump into top 6 rolls. It sucks having guys in the top 6 that can't play in bottom 6 rolls. That's depth and the reason we aquired Bolland and Clarkson. Kulemin is great cause he has the size, skill and humbleness that he can play that roll.

Franson has improved defensively but is still not a strong 2 way defender. He is MUCH BETTER at getting the puck to the net than any of our other Dmen.

Fraser is a warrior who is willing to fight and sacrifice himself for his team. That quality should never be belittled, even he does not fit into our current lineup or plan. We should not bad mouth him for what he brought to the team this year. Thank you Mark Fraser!

Liles was brought in to replace Kaberle's puck moving ability a few years back. He did so very well until being injured and his size was exposed. His work ethic is hard and his commitment to showing the younger guys the value of staying in shape was why Burke signed him to his current contract. He may not be moveable without retaining some cap and is still valuable until Gardiner or Rielly show they can take his spot.

Kessel will re-sign with us.

Phaneuf may do the same if the team and the fan base repay his loyalty and stop dogging him.

Grabo is not greater than Bozak or Kadri. He was small and skilled. He played hard, but there was no room for him in the new form of the team. It was not a knock on him that they let him go, it was a business decision. Bozak is bigger andplays defense that allows the two skill guys longer forays into the offensive zone. He is a great player and played whatever roll he was given for his time here. Thank you Grabo, sorry business sqeezed you and your contract out of the future plans. I hope you sign on a team with a strong future and that your kids enjoy the savings you have provided for their future.

The end, thanks for readin my rant!
- stevecarpetman

I pretty much agree 100% for what it is worth.
I would imagine Fakepartofme would disagree around 117% though.

Half a season of sheltered mins and you want to give him the farm??
- burn

Burn, you were saying Gunner was getting 2-2.5 so sit down.

Really? He's gonna make less than some rookies after a great season as a stay at home. I though 1.5 was being lowball.
- aminnes

Adam McQuiad is more accomplished and maked 1.5mil. No (frank)ing way Fraser gets 1.5mil. That is insane.

Adam McQuiad is more accomplished and maked 1.5mil. No (frank)ing way Fraser gets 1.5mil. That is insane.
- burn

There are plenty of guys on the other side as well, in fact way more. Most teams have guys making 2 million on their 3rd pairings.

Burn, you were saying Gunner was getting 2-2.5 so sit down.
- aminnes

No I wasn't.... I said 3mil. have another drink.