Garnie....told you he would sign and you'd like it
- Symba007

I knew he'd sign and he got what he wanted, maybe not $$$ wise but term

How many goals 2 years ago?

How many goals last year in 48 games?

He can play on any line

Nice try
- Garnie

Well, in fairness to buddy, Clarkson put up 46pts two years ago, and was on pace for 41pts last year.

We'll be fine by next year, with the cap. Certain players are definitely going to have to be gone as we hold onto other ones, and others make the team full time. Gunnarsson will have to be traded, once we resign Franson, Rielly makes the team, and we resign Ranger perhaps....if he isn't asking for too much, Liles will be gone too. Reimer will most likely be gone....Bolland, I'd like to have him stick around, but really do not want to be paying our 3rd line centerman 3 million +.....All of these moves would free up close to 13 million dollars, of course we'd have to resign Franson, Kessel, Phaneuf, Gardiner, Kulemin, Fraser......can be done.
- ThePresident

You guys are off the funhouse. Holy (frank).

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

Tell me how it is selfish to think, "my teammate is in trouble..." proceeding to help his team - all rules aside. It's not selfish, but it was stupid.

Some see this as a potential problem next summer when it comes time for UFA negotiations, but IMHO this group is going to be extremely motivated to play well this year with so many in contract years. Carlye will get max effort out of his assets, that's for sure. If we can get good tending from both goalies, and are able to package one of them with Bozak and prospect for a top tier center at the deadline, this team is an instant contender.

As for resigning Phaneuf next summer, unless he has a HUGE year I say don't pay him a cent over 4.75 per. I'd love to see a healthy Lupul wear the C. And before you vultures rush to point out the obvious, yes I am fully aware that my last sentence was an oxymoron!

GO LEAFS!
- EquityAdvocate

If Kadri signs, Bozak won't be traded - oops Kessel I mean

Losing Holzer would only be a positive.
- Fakepartofme

Thats true (frank) holzer

Well, in fairness to buddy, Clarkson put up 46pts two years ago, and was on pace for 41pts last year.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I was more talking goals

Well, in fairness to buddy, Clarkson put up 46pts two years ago, and was on pace for 41pts last year.
- Colin Dambrauskas

technically yes but he also scored something like 6 goals in the last 38 games or something last year.

I wouldn't say he's better than Phaneuf, but Phaneuf is not years ahead that's for sure.
- Garnie

Im not saying he is better than Phaneuf right now....but Phaneuf isnt that much better than Franson right now. If Franson continues to improve.....he could be a cheaper replacement.
But I also dont believe either is a number dman, which is what the leafs are lacking right now.

Easily 2nd pair, Phaneuf is overrated 10 fold.

Not only I think that, most NHLers do too
- Garnie

As per ESPN, the mecca of professionalism and unbiased journalism...

Tell me how it is selfish to think, "my teammate is in trouble..." proceeding to help his team - all rules aside. It's not selfish, but it was stupid.
- A_Tree

well put

technically yes but he also scored something like 6 goals in the last 38 games or something last year.
- scotch_tape

Was he hurt ?

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.
- therealagent

The part I'm not understanding is the part that makes no sense... Basically all.

If they shouldn't have signed him, how is his absence a problem?

And no he's not a 3rd liner.

Reimer will be traded to the Flames at the trade deadline if Bernier takes the reigns, can't see the Leafs extending him when we need the extra cap room for other players. If this scenario would work out, what do you think we could get back in return from the Flames?

I like phaneuf, but he plays too many minutes and is simply too expensive. I dont see him taking a pay cut.
You have a hate on for Franson...great...thats fine. But the "haters" are undervaluing him. Im not Franson's biggest fan...but he is an important part of the D.
As I said from the start...if and ONLY IF Franson and Gardiner continue to improve than it could make Phaneuf expendable. If they dont, well then they dont and the leafs are stuck paying big cash for Phaneuf.
- Fakepartofme

I'm hoping for Franson and Gardiner to continue to improve so Dion no longer needs to play too many minutes, and BAM he's all of a sudden worth his contract.

You are sooooo biased. Ramo will have like a 3.50 GAA this season.
- ThePresident

You have no idea as to how unbiased I truly am. But sure. He will not have a ton of wins, he will have a ton of games, and I would expect him to put up reasonable numbers all things considered. The team will be defensive and I do not envision too many big goal games....especially not with Liles helping out

Im not saying he is better than Phaneuf right now....but Phaneuf isnt a whole lot better than Franson right now. If Franson continues to improve.....he could be a cheaper replacement.
But I also dont believe either is a number dman, which is what the leafs are lacking right now.
- Fakepartofme

What's more than a whole lot?

We'll be fine by next year, with the cap. Certain players are definitely going to have to be gone as we hold onto other ones, and others make the team full time. Gunnarsson will have to be traded, once we resign Franson, Rielly makes the team, and we resign Ranger perhaps....if he isn't asking for too much, Liles will be gone too. Reimer will most likely be gone....Bolland, I'd like to have him stick around, but really do not want to be paying our 3rd line centerman 3 million +.....All of these moves would free up close to 13 million dollars, of course we'd have to resign Franson, Kessel, Phaneuf, Gardiner, Kulemin, Fraser......can be done.
- ThePresident

Gunner and Franson are two completely different types of D.

Was he hurt ?
- bixll

no clue. but he played on a poop team.

What's more than a whole lot?
- Feeling Glucky?

I edited it.

If you need a goalie on the cheap who will play a ton of games and likely put up reasonable numbers, Id take a chance on Ramo.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Salary isn't an issue. Other poolies can pick the same goalie as I do - so there is a conflict with choosing safely or taking a chance on a guy who could win 37 plus games and no one else picks.

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.
- therealagent

GM's were lining up to pay him what Toronto paid him, some were offering more. all for a third liner, give your head a shake.
or maybe you know more than a lot of GMs in this league

You guys are off the funhouse. Holy (frank).
- UsernameUnknown

If ranger can improve and get back to his old self then I think it possible Gunnar or Gardiner get trade with Reilly in the pipeline Gards becomes expendable and a combo of Franson/Gardiner would be a defensive liability.

Listening to Watters now.

"Liles! No good!"

"Colborne. No good!"

"Bozak, 3rd line!"



Gee Bill, tell us how you really feel

Reimer will be traded to the Flames at the trade deadline if Bernier takes the reigns, can't see the Leafs extending him when we need the extra cap room for other players. If this scenario would work out, what do you think we could get back in return from the Flames?
- ThePresident

The Flames do not need goaltending. Its basically impossible for anyone to sit here and say they are weak in terms of goaltending as Berra and Ramo have yet to play and Ortio + Brossoit are looking to have a ton of potential as well.

Kiprusoff, btw, was brought in to the Flames in a VERY similar situation as Ramo. Look it up...he was a nobody who came from overseas, Vernon went down and he stepped in and stole the show. No one had expectations for him. Point is, dont count guys like Ramo/Berra out just because you havent seen them play.