If we send Gards I would do straight up for girard I just because he the perfect fit style and age wise. What hand does he shoot? Deal contingent on if he re signs with leafs.
- Yeti1181

Shoots right. Only problem being the leafs barely have enough money to sign the players they have, let a lone another top line d-man. Calgary on the other hand…

I don't think either of them are #1 D men.....

2-3 for sure. But not #1
- The-O-G

Here's the thing with Dion. He's not the ideal #1 dman, but he is a better #1 than alot of Dmen out there. Let's look at Seabrook, sound defensively, no offense. Or letang, great offensively, bad defensively. Dion does a bit of everything (one of the top 2 or 3 active scoring dmen since he came into the league, and always tops amongst hits). To say he's not elite is a little biased i say, kind of like when people USED to laugh and say '2 1sts and a second for kessel ". There are definately dmen i'd take over Dion, but to say he's not elite doesn't fly. His mistakes are magnified because he's in Toronto and he plays so damn much.

Name #1 dmen over dion. I agree there are some, but the requirement is they have to do everything - PK, PP, etc.

Gardiner straight up for Girardi? I don't think that would happen. Girardi is heart and soul.
- The-O-G

They could use a highly skilled pmd and Gards is a very good one.

Gardiner straight up for Girardi? I don't think that would happen. Girardi is heart and soul.
- The-O-G

Girardi is also 30, a UFA as well.

Gardiner straight up for Girardi? I don't think that would happen. Girardi is heart and soul.
- The-O-G

I can't see the Rangers moving Girardi so easily either, especially with Marc Staal's future being a mystery. One thing I'll give the Rangers, they know how to pick physical stay at home d-men. They also look like a much different team with Hagelin healthy.

Shoots right. Only problem being the leafs barely have enough money to sign the players they have, let a lone another top line d-man. Calgary on the other hand…
- Talking_hockey1

You stay away from my future d partner for Phaneuf

Here's the thing with Dion. He's not the ideal #1 dman, but he is a better #1 than alot of Dmen out there. Let's look at Seabrook, sound defensively, no offense. Or letang, great offensively, bad defensively. Dion does a bit of everything (one of the top 2 or 3 active scoring dmen since he came into the league, and always tops amongst hits). To say he's not elite is a little biased i say, kind of like when people USED to laugh and say '2 1sts and a second for kessel ". There are definately dmen i'd take over Dion, but to say he's not elite doesn't fly. His mistakes are magnified because he's in Toronto and he plays so damn much.

Name #1 dmen over dion. I agree there are some, but the requirement is they have to do everything - PK, PP, etc.
- clark_griswold

Well I don't necessarily agree with everything you've said, but I do understand your point.

But let's look at a guy like Wideman for example, everyone chirped Feaster about that signing but all that guy does is log the 2nd most ice time in the league (in all situations I might add) and is also putting up good numbers for a D-man, all for the price of $5.25 mil. Is he a #1 d man per say? Probably not, but he isn't making #1 type of money either. I'd say Dion is quite similar.

I also understand your "all situations" argument, but I don't believe this is absolutely necessary to be a number one d man. Letang is far superior to Dion offensively, and Seabrook is better defensively. Letang is a #1 and I don't think he is comparable to Dion, but Seabrook is close. Also, to say Seabrook has no offense is pretty narrow minded, cause the guy put's up some decent number for a guy who isn't necessarily acknowledge for his offensive abilities. Not to mention he is a #2 behind Keith IMO and is paid as such....

Wouldn't you rather throw that money at Franson? Clearly it can't be both of them?
- The-O-G

The thing is, right now Dion is worth it

I can't see the Rangers moving Girardi so easily either, especially with Marc Staal's future being a mystery. One thing I'll give the Rangers, they know how to pick physical stay at home d-men. They also look like a much different team with Hagelin healthy.
- mykokes

im not saying it will be easy, but i think there's a trade there to be made. I think in today's NHL you have to go for it, not saying the leafs are a cup contender now, but add a stellar shutdown D and why can't we be? Our d is way too offensive as it is, we wouldn't go far in the playoffs. With girardi, our offense and hot goaltending, i don't see why we can't contend.

Well I don't necessarily agree with everything you've said, but I do understand your point.

But let's look at a guy like Wideman for example, everyone chirped Feaster about that signing but all that guy does is log the 2nd most ice time in the league (in all situations I might add) and is also putting up good numbers for a D-man, all for the price of $5.25 mil. Is he a #1 d man per say? Probably not, but he isn't making #1 type of money either. I'd say Dion is quite similar.

I also understand your "all situations" argument, but I don't believe this is absolutely necessary to be a number one d man. Letang is far superior to Dion offensively, and Seabrook is better defensively. Letang is a #1 and I don't think he is comparable to Dion, but Seabrook is close. Also, to say Seabrook has no offense is pretty narrow minded, cause the guy put's up some decent number for a guy who isn't necessarily acknowledge for his offensive abilities. Not to mention he is a #2 behind Keith IMO and is paid as such....
- The-O-G

Let's put it this way - take Toronto's roster. Look at our D, pretty much all offense. Dion is a #1 on OUR team. Letang would be useless on TO. Different teams have different requirements. That's why when people say he's not a #1, you can't judge it without considering the roster he fits into.

I've said it before, with Toronto's roster, we could lose kessel and get by with our offense for a long stretch. Lose reimer or bernier and be fine. Lose Dion, and we're dead. He's the most irreplaceable player on our roster as we speak, if only because we don't have anything close to replace him with. Of course, haters say things like trade him for a draft pick, he sucks. Makes me laugh.

The thing is, right now Dion is worth it
- PatC80

I don't think Dion is worth any more than he makes right now, and I don't think he will re-sign for less. So if you want Dion at 7-8 for 7 years then go ahead!

Let's put it this way - take Toronto's roster. Look at our D, pretty much all offense. Dion is a #1 on OUR team. Letang would be useless on TO. Different teams have different requirements. That's why when people say he's not a #1, you can't judge it without considering the roster he fits into.

I've said it before, with Toronto's roster, we could lose kessel and get by with our offense for a long stretch. Lose reimer or bernier and be fine. Lose Dion, and we're dead. He's the most irreplaceable player on our roster as we speak, if only because we don't have anything close to replace him with. Of course, haters say things like trade him for a draft pick, he sucks. Makes me laugh.
- clark_griswold

Ya he definitely doesn't suck I agree. I just look at guys that make between 7-8 and I don't put Dion in that category.

Like I said before, Wideman makes 5.25 and is the Flames number one D man. But I'd be pissed if they signed him for 7-8. There's a fine line between "our" #1 d-man and an actual #1 d man in my opinion. If possible I would pay for the player, not for the position. But it's not always that easy!!!

I don't think Dion is worth any more than he makes right now, and I don't think he will re-sign for less. So if you want Dion at 7-8 for 7 years then go ahead!
- The-O-G

All his stats point to yes.

I don't think Dion is worth any more than he makes right now, and I don't think he will re-sign for less. So if you want Dion at 7-8 for 7 years then go ahead!
- The-O-G

would you rather have PK subban at $7 or Dion? They are very similar, it's like the old Dion in Calgary is pretty much Subban right now. However, Subban gets more offense now, but would not do nearly the defensive job Dion does. I'd take alot of Dmen over both, but between the 2 of them for Toronto's roster, i'd go Dion. For some other rosters I'd go subban. Just saying.

The thing is, right now Dion is worth it
- PatC80

But if the stories are true, you'll have him for (theoretically) another 7 years. Players always seem to "up their game" in pending contract years... Its called Turek Syndrome...

would you rather have PK subban at $7 or Dion? They are very similar, it's like the old Dion in Calgary is pretty much Subban right now. However, Subban gets more offense now, but would not do nearly the defensive job Dion does. I'd take alot of Dmen over both, but between the 2 of them for Toronto's roster, i'd go Dion. For some other rosters I'd go subban. Just saying.
- clark_griswold

Ya I mean personally I'd take Subban over Dion every time. Just my opinion but Subban is a beast out there. He did just win the Norris you know

All his stats point to yes.
- Yeti1181

(I think Ramo is starting Yeti...)

Hey Colin who is starting in net for the flames?
- Yeti1181

You dont read the blogs, do you!

(I think Ramo is starting Yeti...)
- geta02it

Shirts off for RAMO!!!!

You dont read the blogs, do you!
- Colin_Dambrauskas

He cheers for the Leafs and Oilers, I doubt he can read...
(don't ban me Yeti...) Whip has yet to appear...

My two favourite teams playing each other tonight!

Should be a good one!

I predict 4-3 Flames in OT.

Ya I mean personally I'd take Subban over Dion every time. Just my opinion but Subban is a beast out there. He did just win the Norris you know
- The-O-G

dion came 2nd to a guy named lidstrom. Also had 20 goals. Just saying, as subban gets older his offense will regress and he will get better defensively, like what is happening with Dion. They are very similar high risk/reward players. The D i'd take over Dion for TO's roster (important factor):

Chara
Kronvall would be tied with Dion. I'd be happy with either
Keith
Doughty
Suter
Weber
Pietrangelo

i left off some better D for sure (Karlsson, etc) but did so on purpose. With gards, franson, reilly, etc. we don't need any more offense. I wanted 2 way guys.

Does anyone know the presale password?

Does anyone know the presale password?
- mmold

Ok, seriously? Google it

Shirts off for RAMO!!!!
- The-O-G

Some fan you are...I took my pants off!