I think both teams are an injury away from completely falling apart.

Think, Phaneuf or Subban being injured for an extended period of time... Jesus, that wouldn't be pretty.
- Pecafan Fan

Its sad that so many Leaf fans think we would be better trading Phaneuf.

I don't like his cap hit as much as the next guy, but aside from a flaw or two the guy is a solid Dman. Thats my opinion anyways.

That said, those injuries could be over come...with some spectacular goaltending.

It seems fairly safe to say Colborne would be that guy, especially considering they played him in the playoffs last season and the fact he would have to clear waivers this year if they plan on demoting him to the AHL.
- systemtool

Ya, probably a fair choice. There really isn't any wiggle room for up coming guys to make the team, and not really anyone about the make the next step is there?

What's happening on the back end? Has Frason re-signed yet? Will it be something like this:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Gardiner - Liles
Fraser - Franson/Reilly

I was wondering the other day, if from a mathematical point of view, it was indeed the case.

I suck at maths, btw.
- Pecafan Fan

Well I'm sure some wiz would come up with a probability formula or something.

But it just seems logical that more teams with the same amount of spots for the playoffs doesn't make things easier

Ya, probably a fair choice. There really isn't any wiggle room for up coming guys to make the team, and not really anyone about the make the next step is there?

What's happening on the back end? Has Frason re-signed yet? Will it be something like this:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Gardiner - Liles
Fraser - Franson/Reilly
- Domaju

No Franson yet....but it appears Paul Ranger is just about a lock to make this team.

Yeah


East has 16 teams too.

14 in the west.

Not exactly fair. Oh well.
- robin_steele264

I remember thinking that when it was first released. I wonder if that means they're maybe planning some Western expansion to a 32 team league?

Its sad that so many Leaf fans think we would be better trading Phaneuf.

I don't like his cap hit as much as the next guy, but aside from a flaw or two the guy is a solid Dman. Thats my opinion anyways.

That said, those injuries could be over come...with some spectacular goaltending.
- systemtool

The sole fact he eats up 25 minutes a game for the Leafs would make a huge hole at his position. Replacing that, is almost impossible to do without your team being seriously affected down the road.

Should be something like:

Kessel Bozak JVR
Lupul Kadri Clarkson
Raymond Bolland Kulemin
Orr McClement McLaren

With Joe Colborne somewhere in that mix.
- systemtool

I am hoping for these lines. JVR goes to the net which the other two dont.
Lupul has fire , with kadri and clarkson that could be a deadly line.
The rest look ok

The sole fact he eats up 25 minutes a game for the Leafs would make a huge hole at his position. Replacing that, is almost impossible to do without your team being seriously affected down the road.
- Pecafan Fan

Without a doubt, right on.

Its sad that so many Leaf fans think we would be better trading Phaneuf.

I don't like his cap hit as much as the next guy, but aside from a flaw or two the guy is a solid Dman. Thats my opinion anyways.

That said, those injuries could be over come...with some spectacular goaltending.
- systemtool

I agree, I think people rag on him because he isn't getting the offense he used to when he broke into the league and he can be caught flat footed a little too often. But the points started to come last year

Well I'm sure some wiz would come up with a probability formula or something.

But it just seems logical that more teams with the same amount of spots for the playoffs doesn't make things easier
- robin_steele264

Yeah. If you're 1 point back, with two teams ahead of you, you have to leapfrog 2 teams instead of 1 in order to make the playoffs.

They should have left Columbus in the west.

I remember thinking that when it was first released. I wonder if that means they're maybe planning some Western expansion to a 32 team league?
- Domaju

Seattle and.....???

I am hoping for these lines. JVR goes to the net which the other two dont.
Lupul has fire , with kadri and clarkson that could be a deadly line.
The rest look ok
- IrishRage

Sorry, I was just going off the practise yesterday where Kessel and Lupul skated on the same line. Im fine with the line combos you mentioned too.

Ya, probably a fair choice. There really isn't any wiggle room for up coming guys to make the team, and not really anyone about the make the next step is there?

What's happening on the back end? Has Frason re-signed yet? Will it be something like this:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Gardiner - Liles
Fraser - Franson/Reilly
- Domaju

If i had to take a shot at it
Without Franson
Phaneuf - Guns
Gardiner - Ranger
Fraser - liles/Reilly


With Framson
Pha - Gun
Frans - Ranger
Gards - Fraser
liles

BUt I am hoping to see how macwilliam (sp?) makes out..

Seattle and.....???
- robin_steele264

I find it mind blasting that the league is looking into expansion when there are struggling teams like Florida, NJD etc still in the league. Im truly hoping for relocation instead.

Sorry, I was just going off the practise yesterday where Kessel and Lupul skated on the same line. Im fine with the line combos you mentioned too.
- systemtool

No no, I read the same thing. I just hope in the end thats what the line combo's end up being. Not attacking your lines

I agree, I think people rag on him because he isn't getting the offense he used to when he broke into the league and he can be caught flat footed a little too often. But the points started to come last year
- Domaju

uhgggg one of my friends who is a know it all goes on and on about how crap Phaneuf is and doesnt understand he plays against other teams #1 at 30 mins a night.
I think he is a tad overpaid but still a damn fine D

No no, I read the same thing. I just hope in the end thats what the line combo's end up being. Not attacking your lines
- IrishRage

Im not too into the line combination just yet.... Im not going to name any names, nor do I need to, but I know there will be injuries so the lines will all eventually be jumbled about.

I find it mind blasting that the league is looking into expansion when there are struggling teams like Florida, NJD etc still in the league. Im truly hoping for relocation instead.
- systemtool

After the phoenix boondoggle I won't be surprised at any seemingly idiotic decision

After the phoenix boondoggle I won't be surprised at any seemingly idiotic decision
- robin_steele264

Sad but true.

Ya, probably a fair choice. There really isn't any wiggle room for up coming guys to make the team, and not really anyone about the make the next step is there?

What's happening on the back end? Has Frason re-signed yet? Will it be something like this:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Gardiner - Liles
Fraser - Franson/Reilly
- Domaju

Im not too into the line combination just yet.... Im not going to name any names, nor do I need to, but I know there will be injuries so the lines will all eventually be jumbled about.
- systemtool

. I am hoping there isnt, I am really hoping the nameless person does ok. I really want to get that jersey .
I might take a risk and get a Bernier Jersey

No Franson yet....but it appears Paul Ranger is just about a lock to make this team.
- systemtool

If Franson DOES get signed, who does he replace? Gunnarsson?

I find it mind blasting that the league is looking into expansion when there are struggling teams like Florida, NJD etc still in the league. Im truly hoping for relocation instead.
- systemtool

prolly be a combo of both

florida moves up to quebec.. the devils the league will fight to keep in place

then expansion into the west like seattle and salt lake (both have NHL arenas ready if i am not mistaken)

If i had to take a shot at it
Without Franson
Phaneuf - Guns
Gardiner - Ranger
Fraser - liles/Reilly


With Framson
Pha - Gun
Frans - Ranger
Gards - Fraser
liles

BUt I am hoping to see how macwilliam (sp?) makes out..
- IrishRage

I hear he uses a lot of tongue.


Morning.

I hear he uses a lot of tongue.


Morning.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Morning,
It must be early, i read that 10+ times trying to figure out wtf you are talking about