Well if he doesn't end up being needed he can be traded. Depth is not a bad thing in a long season and he has been good paired with Dion.
- Yeti1181

It is when we can't afford to resign a better defenseman. Especially next year, I don't see what the point of resigning Gunnarsson is when we have Rielly fulltime, and Ranger sticks with the team. I mean paying a bottom pairing defenseman after this season 3 million dollars is foolish.

It is when we can't afford to resign a better defenseman. Especially next year, I don't see what the point of resigning Gunnarsson is when we have Rielly fulltime, and Ranger sticks with the team. I mean paying a bottom pairing defenseman after this season 3 million dollars is foolish.
- ThePresident

He'll be fine holding #3s hand.

If we keep Franson, next year...he might have to go in a trade if Rielly/Franson/Phaneuf/Fraser/Gardiner/Ranger/Letang.

Not sure where he will fit!!!

It is when we can't afford to resign a better defenseman. Especially next year, I don't see what the point of resigning Gunnarsson is when we have Rielly fulltime, and Ranger sticks with the team. I mean paying a bottom pairing defenseman after this season 3 million dollars is foolish.
- ThePresident

With all do respect, you're nuts. Rielly will not make the team this year. And we need Gunnar a hell of a lot more than we need Franson.
Franson is a major defensive liability. He can score, but that doesn't make him a better defensemen.
And Rielly will not be taking Gunners spot. If he's taking anyone's, it'd be Fransons. Next year.

He'll be fine holding #3s hand.

If we keep Franson, next year...he might have to go in a trade if Rielly/Franson/Phaneuf/Fraser/Gardiner/Ranger/Letang.

Not sure where he will fit!!!
- Garnie

Letang.....would be great, but way too expensive. In my opinion we have 7 million dollars tied up into two defenseman that we don't need. Just seems like bad planning.

I still cannot figure out why we resigned Gunnarsson. I understand he's a decent defenseman, but honestly, he doesn't fit into the team currently, and quite frankly...he's taking up cap space we should have used for Franson instead. We could have atleast traded his rights for a 2nd. He's not a stay at home defenseman, and I don't know why fans and media keep labeling him that way.
- ThePresident

How would you describe him? as an offensive defenseman?

Letang.....would be great, but way too expensive. In my opinion we have 7 million dollars tied up into two defenseman that we don't need. Just seems like bad planning.
- ThePresident

Oh poop, did I put Letang in there

edit: quiet Avs fan...what do you know about our ALL STAR team???

With all do respect, you're nuts. Rielly will not make the team this year. And we need Gunnar a hell of a lot more than we need Franson.
Franson is a major defensive liability. He can score, but that doesn't make him a better defensemen.
And Rielly will not be taking Gunners spot. If he's taking anyone's, it'd be Fransons. Next year.
- UsernameUnknown

Please go back to Colorado

I'll give you two guesses.
- Atomic Wedgie

seems as though he already used one...

It is when we can't afford to resign a better defenseman. Especially next year, I don't see what the point of resigning Gunnarsson is when we have Rielly fulltime, and Ranger sticks with the team. I mean paying a bottom pairing defenseman after this season 3 million dollars is foolish.
- ThePresident

Franson was a bottom pairing dman last season while Gunnar was top pairing (on this team).

Seems Carlyle doesn't agree with your player valuations... nor does Nonis.

maybe that's a clue

With all do respect, you're nuts. Rielly will not make the team this year. And we need Gunnar a hell of a lot more than we need Franson.
Franson is a major defensive liability. He can score, but that doesn't make him a better defensemen.
And Rielly will not be taking Gunners spot. If he's taking anyone's, it'd be Fransons. Next year.
- UsernameUnknown

First, Franson is a better defenseman than Gunnarsson, and has a much higher ceiling. Gunnarsson is as good as he'll get, which isn't much. Rielly could make the team this year, or atleast he should because he's probably better than half the Dmen we already have. If in fact Rielly proves to be better in the preseason, it'll be a shame if he's sent back strictly because other mediocre players are already filling that spot. I don't have a problem with him being sent back, but if he shows he's better than others, he should play. Gunnarsson is not that good, a #5 defenseman on any other team, and he is certainly not a stay at home defenseman.

Letang.....would be great, but way too expensive. In my opinion we have 7 million dollars tied up into two defenseman that we don't need. Just seems like bad planning.
- ThePresident

So... with no Gunnarson, what are the Leafs 1 and 2 PK units?

5-0 Leafs

So... with no Gunnarson, what are the Leafs 1 and 2 PK units?
- Big_Lightnin

Franson-Biggs

Franson-Rielly

Please go back to Colorado
- Garnie

I'll take Franson with me.
Colorado needs him more than Toronto. I'm a leafer at heart though, buddy

How would you describe him? as an offensive defenseman?
- jribout

An average TWD with very limited offensive ability and average defense. A #5 defenseman.

An average TWD with very limited offensive ability and average defense. A #5 defenseman.
- ThePresident

and yet, he is the only dman in the entire system capable of playing top pair with Dion at the moment.

Franson was a bottom pairing dman last season while Gunnar was top pairing (on this team).

Seems Carlyle doesn't agree with your player valuations... nor does Nonis.

maybe that's a clue
- Big_Lightnin

Franson has a higher ceiling. Gunnarsson was put there out of necessity, just as Bozak is not a #1 centerman because Carlyle chooses to play him there. Aulie was a top pairing at one point too, must be a top pairing defenseman now....

Franson-Biggs

Franson-Rielly
- AdamFrench

First, Franson is a better defenseman than Gunnarsson, and has a much higher ceiling. Gunnarsson is as good as he'll get, which isn't much. Rielly could make the team this year, or atleast he should because he's probably better than half the Dmen we already have. If in fact Rielly proves to be better in the preseason, it'll be a shame if he's sent back strictly because other mediocre players are already filling that spot. I don't have a problem with him being sent back, but if he shows he's better than others, he should play. Gunnarsson is not that good, a #5 defenseman on any other team, and he is certainly not a stay at home defenseman.
- ThePresident

Your judgement on defense is sadly skewed and inaccurate.
I don't see the point in arguing with this. If you seriously think Franson is beter defensively than Gunnar, and that Rielly is better than all, sorry "half," of the D we already have, then.. wow. Speechless. There's nothing to say to that.

Franson has a higher ceiling. Gunnarsson was put there out of necessity, just as Bozak is not a #1 centerman because Carlyle chooses to play him there. Aulie was a top pairing at one point too, must be a top pairing defenseman now....
- ThePresident

Aulie was top pairing for about 40 games. Gunnar's been there for 3 season's.

Of course, I'm not saying he IS a top pairing D. But he's a #4 on over half the league. You're way off on this one.

Franson doesn't have the Defensive game or skating ability to ever be top pairing.

and yet, he is the only dman in the entire system capable of playing top pair with Dion at the moment.
- Big_Lightnin

Falso bobo. Apparently Reilly is

and yet, he is the only dman in the entire system capable of playing top pair with Dion at the moment.
- Big_Lightnin

That is a coach's decision, it doesn't mean hes a top pairing defenseman. Everybody can clearly see he is a filler, not an answer. Aulie was capable too, right? It's not exactly like Carlyle is playing good defenseman with Phaneuf, who else has gotten a shot? Kotska and Holzer? I would hope Gunnarsson looks good compared to those two. You only think Gunnarsson is capable and nobody else is because Gunnarsson is given a shot there while no one else is.

That is a coach's decision, it doesn't mean hes a top pairing defenseman. Everybody can clearly see he is a filler, not an answer. Aulie was capable too, right? It's not exactly like Carlyle is playing good defenseman with Phaneuf, who else has gotten a shot? Kotska and Holzer? I would hope Gunnarsson looks good compared to those two. You only think Gunnarsson is capable and nobody else is because Gunnarsson is given a shot there while no one else is.
- ThePresident

If there was a better option you can sure RC would play them.

Aulie was top pairing for about 40 games. Gunnar's been there for 3 season's.

Of course, I'm not saying he IS a top pairing D. But he's a #4 on over half the league. You're way off on this one.

Franson doesn't have the Defensive game or skating ability to ever be top pairing.
- Big_Lightnin

I don't believe Franson is a top pairing, however he is a top 4, which Gunnarsson is capable of playing, but is realistically a #5 based on his talent.

That is a coach's decision, it doesn't mean hes a top pairing defenseman. Everybody can clearly see he is a filler, not an answer. Aulie was capable too, right? It's not exactly like Carlyle is playing good defenseman with Phaneuf, who else has gotten a shot? Kotska and Holzer? I would hope Gunnarsson looks good compared to those two. You only think Gunnarsson is capable and nobody else is because Gunnarsson is given a shot there while no one else is.
- ThePresident

Just because you're the president doesn't mean you get to speak for every one. Especially when you're most likely the only one.