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

As opposed to what you do most day?

Ok, seriously? Google it
- Colin_Dambrauskas

I did, no luck!

As opposed to what you do most day?
- geta02it

Well...like I mean...I try and get away with it, but those in my office typically frown upon that kind of stuff

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

The thing about a cap increase is that it immediately makes a case for every single player in the league deserving a raise. Right now Dion is the #1 defenseman on the Leafs and he's receiving just over 10% of the salary cap with his 6.5 a year.

If the cap goes up over 70mil as many expect, it's completely reasonable for him to assume that his relative importance to the team is at least remaining constant. He's also entering the prime years of his career so it's also reasonable for him to look for a long-term contract rather than a shorter term.

Leafs management can maybe make a case that as he ages his importance to the team will likely decrease, so rather than paying him 7+ for a full 8 years, maybe the average can come down a bit. I fully expect him to get upwards of 54-56mil over 8 though, and I think he's completely worth that figure to this Leafs team.

Colin any predictions on the score?

The thing about a cap increase is that it immediately makes a case for every single player in the league deserving a raise. Right now Dion is the #1 defenseman on the Leafs and he's receiving just over 10% of the salary cap with his 6.5 a year.

If the cap goes up over 70mil as many expect, it's completely reasonable for him to assume that his relative importance to the team is at least remaining constant. He's also entering the prime years of his career so it's also reasonable for him to look for a long-term contract rather than a shorter term.

Leafs management can maybe make a case that as he ages his importance to the team will likely decrease, so rather than paying him 7+ for a full 8 years, maybe the average can come down a bit. I fully expect him to get upwards of 54-56mil over 8 though, and I think he's completely worth that figure to this Leafs team.
- jtommyt

you are wise sir.

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.
- clark_griswold

I don't really like assuming that because Dion regressed offensively that Subban will too.

It's like comparing the Oilers rebuild to the Flames.

Not all things are alike, but I understand where you are coming from

The thing about a cap increase is that it immediately makes a case for every single player in the league deserving a raise. Right now Dion is the #1 defenseman on the Leafs and he's receiving just over 10% of the salary cap with his 6.5 a year.

If the cap goes up over 70mil as many expect, it's completely reasonable for him to assume that his relative importance to the team is at least remaining constant. He's also entering the prime years of his career so it's also reasonable for him to look for a long-term contract rather than a shorter term.

Leafs management can maybe make a case that as he ages his importance to the team will likely decrease, so rather than paying him 7+ for a full 8 years, maybe the average can come down a bit. I fully expect him to get upwards of 54-56mil over 8 though, and I think he's completely worth that figure to this Leafs team.
- jtommyt

That is one pathetic attempt to make your life easier, how dare you!!!

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

It's "Racks out for Ramo"!

you are wise sir.
- clark_griswold

Now you've done it...

It's "Racks out for Ramo"!
- FL4MES

YOU sir are wise!!!!

He cheers for the Leafs and Oilers, I doubt he can read...
(don't ban me Yeti...) Whip has yet to appear...
- geta02it

I like whip mostly caught me on a bad day though.

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

Richards for ramo?

You dont read the blogs, do you!
- Colin_Dambrauskas

I'm running through four thread right now I ll get back to it you hussy!

I don't really like assuming that because Dion regressed offensively that Subban will too.

It's like comparing the Oilers rebuild to the Flames.

Not all things are alike, but I understand where you are coming from

- The-O-G

you have to regress on offense to improve on defense.

How about the list of D i picked over Dion for TO's roster (not in general). Do you think that is fair? again, i was only talking our roster.

you have to regress on offense to improve on defense.

How about the list of D i picked over Dion for TO's roster (not in general). Do you think that is fair? again, i was only talking our roster.
- clark_griswold

I don't agree with this at all....but anyway's....

Here's my list of D the Leafs should want over Dion:

Karlson
Subban
Letang
Weber
Doughty
Bouwmeester
Piterangelo (sp?)
Keith
Seabrook
Doughty
Yandle
Suter
Chara
Bieksa (maybe, haha)
Boyle
Kronwall
Ekman-Larson

That's about it probably...

EDIT: My point isn't to rag on Dion but you could throw some money at Franson, lock him up. Then maybe add a UFA like Girardi or Niskanen and I think the team would be better off. Just my opinion.

I don't agree with this at all....but anyway's....

Here's my list of D the Leafs should want over Dion:

Karlson
Subban
Letang
Weber
Doughty
Bouwmeester
Piterangelo (sp?)
Keith
Seabrook
Doughty
Yandle
Suter
Chara
Bieksa (maybe, haha)
Boyle
Kronwall
Ekman-Larson

That's about it probably...

EDIT: My point isn't to rag on Dion but you could throw some money at Franson, lock him up. Then maybe add a UFA like Girardi or Niskanen and I think the team would be better off. Just my opinion.
- The-O-G

Franson isn't on the same level defensively as Phaneuf, Dion's defensive game is quietly becoming the best part of his game. And yes, I did just type that. Though I suspected it last year when he was carrying Kostka and Holzer as his partners last year. I prefer this Dion over the guy who finished 2nd to Lidstrom in Norris voting.

Franson isn't on the same level defensively as Phaneuf, Dion's defensive game is quietly becoming the best part of his game. And yes, I did just type that. Though I suspected it last year when he was carrying Kostka and Holzer as his partners last year. I prefer this Dion over the guy who finished 2nd to Lidstrom in Norris voting.
- mykokes

Ya I know Franson isn't at the same level, but he does deserve a raise, as do some other Leafs

Ya I know Franson isn't at the same level, but he does deserve a raise, as do some other Leafs
- The-O-G

Franson will likely get it, the Leafs are at a stage now where they have to pick and choose who they keep and who they can afford to let go. Last year it was Grabo/MacArthur going elsewhere. I can see the Leafs letting a few guys go that aren't integral to their team or that can be replace. Franson could see anything from 4 to 5M this offseason, it'll be a balancing act to keep him in addition to Dion, but it can be done with the right kids getting their shot. Plus there are always bargain basement players out there to replace guys currently slotted in third line roles. I keep Franson because he's key to our PP, and I keep Dion because he's key to everything else. Its not a simple case of one or the other.

That is one pathetic attempt to make your life easier, how dare you!!!


- The-O-G

I know, I know... rational thought has no business here...

I don't agree with this at all....but anyway's....

Here's my list of D the Leafs should want over Dion:

Karlson
Subban
Letang
Weber
Doughty
Bouwmeester
Piterangelo (sp?)
Keith
Seabrook
Doughty
Yandle
Suter
Chara
Bieksa (maybe, haha)
Boyle
Kronwall
Ekman-Larson

That's about it probably...

EDIT: My point isn't to rag on Dion but you could throw some money at Franson, lock him up. Then maybe add a UFA like Girardi or Niskanen and I think the team would be better off. Just my opinion.
- The-O-G

some of your picks are assenine, from the leafs point of view. So yandle helps TO? who does the PK duties? seriously. I can name a bunch more from your list but you should get the point. If we're talking FLA than yes, they need the offense. Leafs least greatest need is more offense.

Franson isn't on the same level defensively as Phaneuf, Dion's defensive game is quietly becoming the best part of his game. And yes, I did just type that. Though I suspected it last year when he was carrying Kostka and Holzer as his partners last year. I prefer this Dion over the guy who finished 2nd to Lidstrom in Norris voting.
- mykokes

funny, i remember you and i being some of the few leafs fans before the year stating this...funny how when you have a winning team, the guy who plays the most looks better

funny, i remember you and i being some of the few leafs fans before the year stating this...funny how when you have a winning team, the guy who plays the most looks better
- clark_griswold

I said dion was going to have a great year and looks like I was right so far

I don't agree with this at all....but anyway's....

Here's my list of D the Leafs should want over Dion:

Karlson
Subban
Letang
Weber
Doughty
Bouwmeester
Piterangelo (sp?)
Keith
Seabrook
Doughty
Yandle
Suter
Chara
Bieksa (maybe, haha)
Boyle
Kronwall
Ekman-Larson

That's about it probably...

EDIT: My point isn't to rag on Dion but you could throw some money at Franson, lock him up. Then maybe add a UFA like Girardi or Niskanen and I think the team would be better off. Just my opinion.
- The-O-G

you kept bouwmeester over dion once before...not sure that was wise but hey, whatever blows your hair back.

some of your picks are assenine, from the leafs point of view. So yandle helps TO? who does the PK duties? seriously. I can name a bunch more from your list but you should get the point. If we're talking FLA than yes, they need the offense. Leafs least greatest need is more offense.
- clark_griswold

I dont think Dion is any better defensively than Yandle, Subban etc.

Just because Dion spends more time on the PK doesn't mean he is better defensively. Also, I just think these D men are better overall than he is...if you are looking for someone to kill dion's 3 minutes of PK time per game, then find someone in your bottom pairing that can do that.