no clue. but he played on a poop team.
- scotch_tape

Many reasons for his numbers to be down.. We can only hope he plays well on this team. And he will be a fan favorite. Like a Helium snorting Clark

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 dont hate Franson! Not one bit. But I assess him realisticly. Same thing with you and Kulie, I would imagine.
You simply overrate Franson by a country mile. He's a 3rd pairing Dman as it stands. Give him 2nd pairing for awhile and see how he does.
Phaneuf's money is a different discussion altogether than his abilities. He's overpaid, yeah, but needed right now. Nobody can replace what he does. I think i read a post saying he should sign for 4.25. That was hilarious.

I agree, if Franson can improve, we'll see. I'm always for a fair chance. But I personally don't think he can do it. You can, so good for you.

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

I love that post.

He's a 3rd liner, terrible signing, and him getting suspended will cost the Leafs points.

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

I agree. I think Gunnar may be our best stay at home D.

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.
- Colin Dambrauskas

AND, my boy Joey Mac has played well for them also..

Listening to Watters now.

"Liles! No good!"

"Colborne. No good!"

"Bozak, 3rd line!"



Gee Bill, tell us how you really feel
- gravyface

Gawd that man needs to be put out to pastor.
But he is right about Colborne and Bozie.

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.
- 1979AD

Exactly

Need Phaneuf #1 pair
Franson 2nd pair.
Gardiner 3rd pairing

In that order I believe, but I don't care, just play well and win some games.

I was more talking goals
- Garnie

In that case, he was on pace for around 25 goals last year, which is all anyone expects I would hope.

Listening to Watters now.

"Liles! No good!"

"Colborne. No good!"

"Bozak, 3rd line!"



Gee Bill, tell us how you really feel
- gravyface

the list of armchair DB's is endless

You should pick your tender based upon,

- will he play 70 games per
- will he have a good defensive team in front of him.
- does he have a history of getting shutouts..

Marty would have been my pick before they picked up The Nuck reject.

Quick could be the answer. he will play a lot of game, he does pick up shutouts..

JMO.
- bixll

You noted absolutely all the criteria required. Brodeur has been my goalie for 11 straight years...that's why I'm scrambling.

I dont hate Franson! Not one bit. But I assess him realisticly. Same thing with you and Kulie, I would imagine.
You simply overrate Franson by a country mile. He's a 3rd pairing Dman as it stands. Give him 2nd pairing for awhile and see how he does.
Phaneuf's money is a different discussion altogether than his abilities. He's overpaid, yeah, but needed right now. Nobody can replace what he does. I think i read a post saying he should sign for 4.25. That was hilarious.

I agree, if Franson can improve, we'll see. I'm always for a fair chance. But I personally don't think he can do it. You can, so good for you.
- UsernameUnknown

He's been a 2nd pairing dman and what use be one the better defensive teams in the league.
As it stand now, realistically he's 2nd pairing. He's proved it already.

You noted absolutely all the criteria required. Brodeur has been my goalie for 11 straight years...that's why I'm scrambling.
- Woderwick

Fools seldom differ.

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.
- Woderwick

Ah - box style draft...yeah those can suck. I went with Price, Hiller, Bernier...but mine was a draft with 12 guys.

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.
- Yeti1181

I almost agree. I love Ranger. If he does what i think he can do, he'll probably be one of my favourite Leafs by the end of the season. I don't think he can quite do what Gunnar does. Yet.
I also stated earlier that I'd rather keep Gards and Rielly, making Franson the odd one out.
You're right about Gards/Franson

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

You're delusional. Explain to me, why would the Leafs hold onto Phaneuf, Franson, Gardiner, Rielly, Ranger, Fraser, and Gunnarsson next season? Especially when we need to free up cap space to resign our two best players, including Franson, Gardiner, Fraser, and Ranger? Certain players will need to be moved, right off the bat, Reimer and Gunnarssson do not fit into the team next season. The top 4 next season will for sure be Phaneuf, Gardiner, Franson, Rielly...not in any particular order, where does Gunnarsson fit in? 3 million on the bottom pairing? Because we're not putting Rielly on the bottom pairing when he's playing fulltime. Ranger and Fraser, Percy or Brennan can fill that void next season. Simply put, Gunnarsson will not be on the team next season, especially when Franson is making 4 million per.

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

Wow. Sounds like Kulemin-lite!

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

I'd source pretty much anything other than espn when it comes to hockey.

I agree. I think Gunnar may be our best stay at home D.
- Woderwick

Yessir. At this point, I really don't think there is a "may" about it. At least until we see how far Ranger blossoms

Gunner and Franson are two completely different types of D.
- Fakepartofme

I get that, but Franson will not be playing bottom pairing when he is making 4 million per year as he should. He will be in our top 4, as will Rielly next year for sure. Where does that leave Gunnarsson?

does this have anything to do with the fact clarkson is overpaid and is a top 3rd liner in the league? no.
- therealagent

quit your garthing.

Wow. Sounds like Kulemin-lite!
- AdamFrench

With his gloves taped on.

In that case, he was on pace for around 25 goals last year, which is all anyone expects I would hope.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Yes buddy stated 15 and he was on pace for 25 and scored 30 the year before.

I think he will score minimum 20 if he had of played 84 games, maybe even more If playing with Kadri

Gawd that man needs to be put out to pastor.
But he is right about Colborne and Bozie.
- Fakepartofme

He goes, "I don't know what I missed in New Jersey... Clarkson is not tough... "

then to wrap it up: "Clarkson is a tough player, but he's not a fighter"

You're delusional. Explain to me, why would the Leafs hold onto Phaneuf, Franson, Gardiner, Rielly, Ranger, Fraser, and Gunnarsson next season? Especially when we need to free up cap space to resign our two best players, including Franson, Gardiner, Fraser, and Ranger? Certain players will need to be moved, right off the bat, Reimer and Gunnarssson do not fit into the team next season. The top 4 next season will for sure be Phaneuf, Gardiner, Franson, Rielly...not in any particular order, where does Gunnarsson fit in? 3 million on the bottom pairing? Because we're not putting Rielly on the bottom pairing when he's playing fulltime. Ranger and Fraser, Percy or Brennan can fill that void next season. Simply put, Gunnarsson will not be on the team next season, especially when Franson is making 4 million per.
- ThePresident

They don't. We dont need Fraser or Franson.
Gunnar is a top pairing D on this team. No replacements have been identified.

Your top 4 is (frank)ing atrocious

Ah - box style draft...yeah those can suck. I went with Price, Hiller, Bernier...but mine was a draft with 12 guys.
- Colin Dambrauskas

What goalie was picked first in your draft?