That is not what Dion needs, Dion is a two way defender, he needs a puck moving defenseman to play with. He's not getting paid 6 million for his defense, he's getting paid 6 million for his offensive capabilities which are being hindered by Gunnarsson. Phaneuf is not a puck moving defenseman, nor is Gunnarsson, so what is Phaneuf being forced to do? Be both, which he isn't. Which leads to mistakes when he is carrying the puck. He needs to play with another defender that can carry the puck fluidly, make crisp passes, put the puck right on his tape so he can tee it off, accurately.
- ThePresident

Paneuf's best years were when he was playing with Robyn Regehr.

hardly what I'd call a puck moving dman.

That is not what Dion needs, Dion is a two way defender, he needs a puck moving defenseman to play with. He's not getting paid 6 million for his defense, he's getting paid 6 million for his offensive capabilities which are being hindered by Gunnarsson. Phaneuf is not a puck moving defenseman, nor is Gunnarsson, so what is Phaneuf being forced to do? Be both, which he isn't. Which leads to mistakes when he is carrying the puck. He needs to play with another defender that can carry the puck fluidly, make crisp passes, put the puck right on his tape so he can tee it off, accurately.
- ThePresident

It's a good thing guuner can do that.

That is not what Dion needs, Dion is a two way defender, he needs a puck moving defenseman to play with. He's not getting paid 6 million for his defense, he's getting paid 6 million for his offensive capabilities which are being hindered by Gunnarsson. Phaneuf is not a puck moving defenseman, nor is Gunnarsson, so what is Phaneuf being forced to do? Be both, which he isn't. Which leads to mistakes when he is carrying the puck. He needs to play with another defender that can carry the puck fluidly, make crisp passes, put the puck right on his tape so he can tee it off, accurately.
- ThePresident

Wow. You've lost it.

Phaneuf is a #1 defenseman. Gunnar is a borderline #4, and Bozak is realistically a borderline #2 centerman.
- ThePresident

I don't get what you're trying to say about grabo? Who changed their minds? I don't see how you're correlating this to gunner and rielly?
- burn

Because when Burke signed that ridiculous contract, I was the only one saying it was trash. It's as if I was the only one that could see that Kadri was still in the pipeline, and if he ever did make the team, he'd start out in the #2 center position. As I said, the signing of Grabovski was locking up the #2 center position for 5 years, where did that leave Kadri? Well now we know, the Leafs had to resort to buying him out because they couldn't see past the current. They sign players that take away positions from our prospects, or younger guys.

Paneuf's best years were when he was playing with Robyn Regehr.

hardly what I'd call a puck moving dman.
- Pecafan Fan

Wrong, Hamrlik.

Because when Burke signed that ridiculous contract, I was the only one saying it was trash. It's as if I was the only one that could see that Kadri was still in the pipeline, and if he ever did make the team, he'd start out in the #2 center position. As I said, the signing of Grabovski was locking up the #2 center position for 5 years, where did that leave Kadri? Well now we know, the Leafs had to resort to buying him out because they couldn't see past the current. They sign players that take away positions from our prospects, or younger guys.
- ThePresident

He didn't start there.

You're making no sense. The leafs shouldn't have kept grabo because of kadri might someday maybe make it? That's absurd. No way to run a team.

Wrong, Hamrlik.
- ThePresident

Hamrlik was in Montreal when Dion put up 60 pts in 2007-2008...

Wrong, Hamrlik.
- ThePresident

He's not a puck mover either. In fact very much like gunner!

You're doing yourself no favours here.

He's not a puck mover either. In fact very much like gunner!

You're doing yourself no favours here.
- burn

More offensive than Gunnar.

Because when Burke signed that ridiculous contract, I was the only one saying it was trash. It's as if I was the only one that could see that Kadri was still in the pipeline, and if he ever did make the team, he'd start out in the #2 center position. As I said, the signing of Grabovski was locking up the #2 center position for 5 years, where did that leave Kadri? Well now we know, the Leafs had to resort to buying him out because they couldn't see past the current. They sign players that take away positions from our prospects, or younger guys.
- ThePresident

If there is a D in the system to replace Gunnar one day, its Granburg.

Phaneuf is a #1 defenseman. Gunnar is a borderline #4, and Bozak is realistically a borderline #2 centerman.
- ThePresident

While I agree that Dion is a top paring d man, he'd be better suited as your 2nd best d man. Gunner is a 2nd pairing d man.

Because when Burke signed that ridiculous contract, I was the only one saying it was trash. It's as if I was the only one that could see that Kadri was still in the pipeline, and if he ever did make the team, he'd start out in the #2 center position. As I said, the signing of Grabovski was locking up the #2 center position for 5 years, where did that leave Kadri? Well now we know, the Leafs had to resort to buying him out because they couldn't see past the current. They sign players that take away positions from our prospects, or younger guys.
- ThePresident

GEEE I thought I was the only one who thought this way. B4 Grabbo was re-signed, I said he should have been dealt at the trade deadline back than. I mean the Leafs WERE NOT going to make the playoffs back than. What was the point of re-signing Grabbo to a contract that over pays him with ridiculous term? Although I hate buyouts, I was thrilled the Leafs got rid of Grabbo. It was a horrible mistake for Burke to have re-signed him.

I got sick of Grabbo's inconsistent jekyl & hyde performances. GOOD RIDDANCE!!

Ok, well I was saying the same thing about the Grabovski signing when it happened, only to receive backlash from everyone, only to have everybody change their tune in the end. We'll see where Gunnarsson fits into the team once Gardiner improves into a top pairing defenseman and Rielly works his way into the top 4.
- ThePresident

however gunnar isnt paid like a top pairing guy... and he's only signed for 3 years.. realistically... rielly is 2 years away

all this talk about him making the team this year is complete nonsense.. the leafs have a glut of PMDs right now.. no need to bring in another.. not with carlyle at the helm.

bring in rielly to do what? play limited minutes to burn a year off his ELC.. makes zero sense. just typical toronto hype around their first rounder.

Dion did play his best hockey with Hamrlik. I think what Mr. President was trying to say in his reasoning Phaneuf needs a PMD like Suter (suter/weber, stevens/neidermayer....Pronger/Neidermayer....while Rielly and Gardiner fit the mold in the offensive zone, I don't think either can be that guy against opposing teams best lines, which is why I'd slide Gardiner beside Franson (to be a poor mans Weber/Suter)......Gunnarson is very similar to Hamrlik, a smart d-man who can do things at both ends of the ice....probably why Phaneuf and him have worked in the past. Perhaps in a few years, if Rielly matures and gets stronger in his own end, then that pairing would work. But not now.

Phaneuf isn't a PMD. And PMD's aren't always strictly offensive d-men. Case in point Suter.

*Pecafan fan, I do believe post Hamrlik it was Aucoin with Dion.

Kadri, 1 -2 years $2.5-3M
Franson 5 years $3.75M

Leafs over by about $2M

Move Liles for prospect/pick(s), retain $1M of salary.


Done.


Im here till 4.

however gunnar isnt paid like a top pairing guy... and he's only signed for 3 years.. realistically... rielly is 2 years away

all this talk about him making the team this year is complete nonsense.. the leafs have a glut of PMDs right now.. no need to bring in another.. not with carlyle at the helm.

bring in rielly to do what? play limited minutes to burn a year off his ELC.. makes zero sense. just typical toronto hype around their first rounder.
- Dozzer

explains so much
- Crimsoninja

It does

however gunnar isnt paid like a top pairing guy... and he's only signed for 3 years.. realistically... rielly is 2 years away

all this talk about him making the team this year is complete nonsense.. the leafs have a glut of PMDs right now.. no need to bring in another.. not with carlyle at the helm.

bring in rielly to do what? play limited minutes to burn a year off his ELC.. makes zero sense. just typical toronto hype around their first rounder.
- Dozzer

I agree with you too a point, won't know really until preseason. I know last year he didn't look ready, but who knows how far he's come since. He certainly came back strong from a pretty gruesome injury, and with top 5 picks, development could turn out to be very rapid. We'll just have to see Bruce. I won't pencil him in anywhere, if he makes it though and looks good doing so, I won't complain either.

Am I correct in saying camp opens on Monday?
- IrishRage

no wednesday

*Pecafan fan, I do believe post Hamrlik it was Aucoin with Dion.
- mykokes

PP possibly? Anyway, I remember seeing him with Regher.

That said, I think Phaneuf needs someone to cover his back so he can pinch without having to wonder if there's still someone back there.

Kadri, 1 year $2.5-3M
Franson 5 years $3.75M

Leafs over by about $2M

Move Liles for prospect/pick(s), retain $1M of salary.


Done.


Im here till 4.
- Colin Dambrauskas

would rather not have to sign kadri kessel phaneuf kulemin bolland colborne gardiner and others in the same off season tho

Dion did play his best hockey with Hamrlik. I think what Mr. President was trying to say in his reasoning Phaneuf needs a PMD like Suter (suter/weber, stevens/neidermayer....Pronger/Neidermayer....while Rielly and Gardiner fit the mold in the offensive zone, I don't think either can be that guy against opposing teams best lines, which is why I'd slide Gardiner beside Franson (to be a poor mans Weber/Suter)......Gunnarson is very similar to Hamrlik, a smart d-man who can do things at both ends of the ice....probably why Phaneuf and him have worked in the past. Perhaps in a few years, if Rielly matures and gets stronger in his own end, then that pairing would work. But not now.

Phaneuf isn't a PMD. And PMD's aren't always strictly offensive d-men. Case in point Suter.

*Pecafan fan, I do believe post Hamrlik it was Aucoin with Dion.
- mykokes

Very well stated, mykokes.

would rather not have to sign kadri kessel phaneuf kulemin bolland colborne gardiner and others in the same off season tho
- Dozzer

Here's the latest on Nazem Kadri from a source in Toronto: hearing one year could be more likely but two years still possible. Either way we could know as early as today or tomorrow.

would rather not have to sign kadri kessel phaneuf kulemin bolland colborne gardiner and others in the same off season tho
- Dozzer

this is a good point. So make it 2 years at around 2.75 per and make him earn $5M+ in two years. Seems fair