According to Eric Francis (HNIC/Calgary Sun), he's a top 3 on most teams in the league.
- 1979AD

Not only Eric Francis, lots of hockey minds agree

Neither is Phaneuf. He's horrible..but here he is.
- Fakepartofme

Arguably. Phaneufs mistakes can definitely be glaring. But he was overused for 2/3rds of the season with poopty partners.
Franson was a 3rd pairing Dvwith sheltered minutes as well as lesser quality opponents.

So Lundqvist is a good pick - I can pick any goalie in the league. Wins are 2 points. Shut outs another 5 points.
- Woderwick

Bernier

@jonasTSN1050: Carlyle on impending cuts: "You never what we're going to do. Stick by your fax machines or your Twitter boxes or whatever you guys use."

I think we'll have enough room if we let some guys go. Fraser, Franson, Kulie if necessary.
Nonis will make it fit with the cap going up
But I think you're nuts of you think a guy who hasn't even played top 4d will be ready for top pairing in a year. He's simply not that good defensively.
- UsernameUnknown

I see what you're doing, trying to dismantle our best players from last year

anything sweeter than straight espresso is too sweet for you
- Feeling Glucky?

At my age, things need to be aged. So I can catch up to them.

i think your time machine would be more useful to go back and not sign clarkson to that horrible deal. having kadri and franson locked up in the summer and go through a full camp would have helped more than a 3rd liner will. his stupidy may have cost the leafs critical points from those first 10 games plus the extra time it will take him to get into game shape once he's back. selfish play. dumb play. what kind of leader is that?
- therealagent

They shouldn't have signed him, but not having him will cost points!


3liner?

He's a top 4 dman on most teams in the league. EASILY!!!
I dont care what f'n RC used him as.
- Fakepartofme

if he plays like he did in the playoffs, yea. But that's a big if. We've seen lots of guys go all out in the post-season, but return to normal during the regular season.

Not only leafers - but we no your opinion and it's fine for an Avs fan
- Garnie

how is it for a leafs fan?

i imagine the plan is to re-sign Bolland. you don't give up 3 picks for a third liner with the intention of letting him walk one year later.
- scotch_tape

I would f'n hope not!
So I just dont see how Kulemin could be resigned...which is why I believe he will be traded to create cap room sometime this season.
Unless we have a boatload of injuries

They shouldn't have signed him, but not having him will cost points!


3liner?
- burn

Nuckers....

As far as a RW that can contribute offensively and isn't afraid to drop his gloves, pretty similar. Obviously not as good as Clarkson yet, but still developing.
- ThePresident

I don't think they are close to the same. And he didn't look close to ready yet. Ashton is much closer than Biggs as far as being close in style.

Arguably. Phaneufs mistakes can definitely be glaring. But he was overused for 2/3rds of the season with poopty partners.
Franson was a 3rd pairing Dvwith sheltered minutes as well as lesser quality opponents.
- UsernameUnknown

Sheltered is such a *** word.

Phaneuf would pout and cry if he didn't get the big mins - and at this time we need to keep that putz happy - he's still useful at 20 mins per game

I don't think they are close to the same. And he didn't look close to ready yet. Ashton is much closer than Biggs as far as being close in style.
- burn

He had his collar up..

Arguably. Phaneufs mistakes can definitely be glaring. But he was overused for 2/3rds of the season with poopty partners.
Franson was a 3rd pairing Dvwith sheltered minutes as well as lesser quality opponents.
- UsernameUnknown

And he put up more points than any other defenseman in the league that averaged <20mins. He also finished in double digit plus. That would indicate that he dominated lesser quality opponents and could likely be useful against better quality opponents, would it not?

if he plays like he did in the playoffs, yea. But that's a big if. We've seen lots of guys go all out in the post-season, but return to normal during the regular season.
- Feeling Glucky?

And his normal would be top 4.

At my age, things need to be aged. So I can catch up to them.
- bixll

I'm so old it takes 2 days just to catch a hangover

I would f'n hope not!
So I just dont see how Kulemin could be resigned...which is why I believe he will be traded to create cap room sometime this season.
Unless we have a boatload of injuries
- Fakepartofme

Kuleman doesn't score lots but still rocks defensively he will take a pay cut and stay, i would think

I'm so old it takes 2 days just to catch a hangover
- jimi james

I'm so old I make the wife chase me.

I see what you're doing, trying to dismantle our best players from last year
- Garnie

I love Kulie. But he seems to be becoming morevandvmore expendable through our pipeline. Just like Franson and Fraser.
They have their upsides. I love Fraser and his grit and heart. But lets face it, he's a 6thD. We have about 5 already. Time to thin out the heard. Whichvis why I want franson gone. Between Gards andRielly next year. Franson is simply not needed

i think your time machine would be more useful to go back and not sign luongo to that horrible deal. having schneider and hodgson locked up would have helped more than an over the hill goalie. daniel sedin's stupidy getting punched in the face by marchand may have cost the canucks critical morale which they can never get back. pansy play. dumb play. what kind of leader is that?
- therealagent

fixed

They shouldn't have signed him, but not having him will cost points!


3liner?
- burn

yes, because he's out of the lineup and now all the other lines get unbalanced.
what part of this do you not understand?
and yes, david clarkson is a 3rd liner on most nhl teams. a good grinding, tough 3rd liner who can chip in 15 goals and 35-40 points.

Sheltered is such a *** word.

Phaneuf would pout and cry if he didn't get the big mins - and at this time we need to keep that putz happy - he's still useful at 20 mins per game
- Garnie

I love the use of "sheltered" and it gets tossed around here.

fixed
- doinktheclown

Awesome

So Lundqvist is a good pick - I can pick any goalie in the league. Wins are 2 points. Shut outs another 5 points.
- Woderwick

Its such a crap shoot....but the rangers losing won't be hank's fault IMO....Quick?