What do you mean by shutdown? We're allowing the second-post shots against per game in the league, and yet we're first place.

It's all goaltending. 1 less key save vs. PIT and anything happens. And yes I acknowledge that Dion played very well that night, but still, that money for Dion's raise will be better spent keeping 2 very solid goalies over the next few years. After all, all we need is an injury to our no. 1 and it won't freakin' matter how well Dion is at shutting guys down because we already allow so many shots against that we'll end up in the sewer.

Hell, look at Ottawa this year, they're not getting the Vezina-tending they did in the last 2 years and it's showing. Why throw stupid money at Dion if we don't necessarily need him?

Plus, we're getting so much offense it's silly.

When we talk about offence, we are talking about all-encompassing aspects. You can have great forwards, but offensive, PMDs are essential to maximizing it. Conversely, when we talk defence, it's not just the guys labelled 'Defencemen' who are the important. It's the forwards on the PK, it's the goalie with key saves.
- AngryWhiteMale

Shot stats can be misleading, its all about the quality shots, and yes our goalies have been stellar. But believe me when I say this, this team needs Phaneuf.

Would it be better to get someone better? Yeah, but that's not available, and it'll cost an arm and a leg to get one. Also, isn't ones stats always helped with the play of the team? Of course. Weber was only as good as Suter, Rinne and that defensive system was. Rinne has been avg, they lost Suter, now Weber doesn't look as good.

We don't have any solutions within our organization that can fill in Dion's shoes, even if goalies play stellar and the forwards backcheck well, we cannot replace Dion. Add Dion (his current form) to the stellar goaltending and team play and we're that much better.

Simple as that.

its the term 7 - 8 years

71 and 81 already long term...ugh
- poohcrumbs

kessel will be all of 33 in the final year of his deal. And will still be the fastest skater on the team

What do you mean by shutdown? We're allowing the second-post shots against per game in the league, and yet we're first place.

It's all goaltending. 1 less key save vs. PIT and anything happens. And yes I acknowledge that Dion played very well that night, but still, that money for Dion's raise will be better spent keeping 2 very solid goalies over the next few years. After all, all we need is an injury to our no. 1 and it won't freakin' matter how well Dion is at shutting guys down because we already allow so many shots against that we'll end up in the sewer.

Hell, look at Ottawa this year, they're not getting the Vezina-tending they did in the last 2 years and it's showing. Why throw stupid money at Dion if we don't necessarily need him?

Plus, we're getting so much offense it's silly.

When we talk about offence, we are talking about all-encompassing aspects. You can have great forwards, but offensive, PMDs are essential to maximizing it. Conversely, when we talk defence, it's not just the guys labelled 'Defencemen' who are the important. It's the forwards on the PK, it's the goalie with key saves.
- AngryWhiteMale

Shot quality is what you have to keep in mind, we give up lots of shots because we collapse low and give up the perimeter, lots of shots from far away. Reimer gives up a ton of rebounds but our D boxes the opposition out and usually can recover the puck. Ask any goalie which he'd rather have, 40 shots from the point or 20 shots with guys like Kessel and JVR coming down on odd man rushes.

Did Reimer play amazing last night? of course.
there were a few times Edmonton was able to get in close and he was there every time. However how many truly outrageous save did he make?

Bob McCown: “If Reimer to Oilers deal is going to happen it has to be in the next couple of weeks. At the trade deadline will be too late for Edm.”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”I’m sure the Oilers are interested in Reimer, but it’s way too early for the Leafs to consider moving him” … ”if the Leafs were even interested in moving Reimer to Edm or Cgy it would be for a package that is staggering” … “I stand by the fact that the Leafs would not move Reimer for Yakupov”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”Regier identified a key roster player from Toronto and offered Vanek, but it wasn’t the right fit for the Leafs”

So If guys like Franson are at near a PPG(and up there in hits too), and Reilly and Gardiner are coming around, why do we need to spend 7m per on Dion?

Why not just use that cap space to keep Reimer and Bernier for the medium-long term.
- AngryWhiteMale

Because Phaneuf and Rielly will be one of the top D pairings in the NHL in 2yrs time...


Or something like that...

Because Phaneuf and Rielly will be one of the top D pairings in the NHL in 2yrs time...


Or something like that...
- Fruitcakenipple

a nice problem

Bob McCown: “If Reimer to Oilers deal is going to happen it has to be in the next couple of weeks. At the trade deadline will be too late for Edm.”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”I’m sure the Oilers are interested in Reimer, but it’s way too early for the Leafs to consider moving him” … ”if the Leafs were even interested in moving Reimer to Edm or Cgy it would be for a package that is staggering” … “I stand by the fact that the Leafs would not move Reimer for Yakupov”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”Regier identified a key roster player from Toronto and offered Vanek, but it wasn’t the right fit for the Leafs”
- Mapleleafs_91

I bet Regier was after Kadri or JVR, which are obviously non-starters for a rental who's going to want huge money to resign.

Franson and Ranger can't do what he does
- shmenge

I anticipate that Fraser will take over Ranger's spot, despite Ranger not looking as aloof recently.

kessel will be all of 33 in the final year of his deal. And will still be the fastest skater on the team
- Badge

I still can't get over that goal he scored last night. Holy (frank).

Bob McCown: “If Reimer to Oilers deal is going to happen it has to be in the next couple of weeks. At the trade deadline will be too late for Edm.”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”I’m sure the Oilers are interested in Reimer, but it’s way too early for the Leafs to consider moving him” … ”if the Leafs were even interested in moving Reimer to Edm or Cgy it would be for a package that is staggering” … “I stand by the fact that the Leafs would not move Reimer for Yakupov”

Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: ”Regier identified a key roster player from Toronto and offered Vanek, but it wasn’t the right fit for the Leafs”
- Mapleleafs_91

Why would the leafs want Vanek?
Or Yakupov for that matter? Leafs Edmonton deal to me seems unlikely cause we both need the same thing D
Unless Nurse is available

I bet Regier was after Kadri or JVR, which are obviously non-starters for a rental who's going to want huge money to resign.
- Jeffmt

I wouldnt even trade JVR or Kadri straight up for vanek

I anticipate that Fraser will take over Ranger's spot, despite Ranger not looking as aloof recently.
- AngryWhiteMale

It's amazing what playing Edmonton can do for mans confidence.

Because Phaneuf and Rielly will be one of the top D pairings in the NHL in 2yrs time...


Or something like that...
- Fruitcakenipple

Unless Reilly learns to do a lot of the things Gunnarsson does to help Dion that's not realistic. He has looked good in his own zone, but I'm not sure they're complimentary...at least not yet, obviously we havent seen them really play together and Reilly's only played a handful of games.

I wouldnt even trade JVR or Kadri straight up for vanek
- Mapleleafs_91

I wouldn't trade either for Vanek ++

I bet Regier was after Kadri or JVR, which are obviously non-starters for a rental who's going to want huge money to resign.
- Jeffmt

No real need for an extra winger at the moment, and with his salary demands at year's end it'd be lunacy.

I wouldn't trade either for Vanek ++
- ky678468

K we already have kessel we dont need vanek. Kessel> Plus our void at center with kadri is important to keep plus hes younger. And JVR brings other tangibles to the table over vanek plus hes younger. JVR is the guy that goes to the net and sticks around the net. We need a guy like that. Gets majority of his goals around the net and bigger frame

It's amazing what playing Edmonton can do for mans confidence.
- Bigzby

He's our 7th D

Dion Gunnarsson
Gardiner Franson
Reilly Fraser.

K we already have kessel we dont need vanek. Kessel> Plus our void at center with kadri is important to keep plus hes younger. And JVR brings other tangibles to the table over vanek plus hes younger. JVR is the guy that goes to the net and sticks around the net. We need a guy like that. Gets majority of his goals around the net and bigger frame
- Mapleleafs_91

what if they wanted Blozak? huh huh

That moment when moulson scored 2 goals and vanek scored 0 in their first games

He's our 7th D

Dion Gunnarsson
Gardiner Franson
Reilly Fraser.
- AngryWhiteMale

On that we agree! Reilly has been to good to sit, he may be faster than Kessel

what if they wanted Blozak? huh huh
- bobbyisno1

Well if it was blowzak, then i would do it in a heartbeat just to get rid of him not because of vanek

what if they wanted Blozak? huh huh
- bobbyisno1

the league would see through this move for intentionally tanking!

It's amazing what playing Edmonton can do for mans confidence.
- Bigzby

Certainly has helped Phil

On that we agree! Reilly has been to good to sit, he may be faster than Kessel
- ky678468

Fraser should be a steadying influence. Keep Reilly up against other team's weaker lines and Reilly will have a chance to terrorize them.

Certainly has helped Phil
- AdamFrench

you mean tied for 2nd in scoring Phil "the thrill" Kessel