I agree with this, I think the Leafs are just as ready to win the cup as any team in the league. Would there be challenges? Sure. Are there other teams right now that are bigger favorites(favourites)? Yes. I think as a team they need to play strong through the new year and prove they are worth the investment of keeping Dion.
- Buffalo-Sabres

There are definately teams favored over TO, however, most are in the west. I think the leafs can hang with any team in the east. The east is wide open this year. I still think Boston is the cream of the crop but it's really any one's ball game. PIt can obviously never be overlooked but MAF would have to keep up his play now/avoid his annual meltdown or they're in troubel again.

Phaneuf will be re-signed long term. And in a way I agree with the fact that "He's not the same player he was when scored XX goals in his first three years in category". He is much, much better. This is probably the best hockey he's ever played in his life. Time and time again he makes good defensive plays. A little stick lift here. A little dump out off the glass, etc. etc. The game is played on the ice, not on the stats sheet. But if you need a stat, take a look at his amazing +/-
- Njuice

bang on.

I agree, that's what I think the Leafs should do, even if they're not cup favorites.

But then again, I still think that in the long run, Leafs would be better off spending that 7M per year on another player than Phaneuf.
- Scabeh

Please give examples of these $7M players they should have instead of Phaneuf. Available players... Not just the guys you see out there with the biggest bargain contracts who will never ever be traded.

Phaneuf will be re-signed long term. And in a way I agree with the fact that "He's not the same player he was when scored XX goals in his first three years in category". He is much, much better. This is probably the best hockey he's ever played in his life. Time and time again he makes good defensive plays. A little stick lift here. A little dump out off the glass, etc. etc. The game is played on the ice, not on the stats sheet. But if you need a stat, take a look at his amazing +/-
- Njuice

Thats how the Avs see Johnson right now, he is playing the best hockey of his career this season bc he is doing all those little things night and night out giving the team a solid top pairing guy. People look at his points and say hes terrible but he changed his game to something way more meaninful and important to the Avs system than just a puck moving dman.

Please stop quoting Bill Watters. He cannot be objective with anything about Dion. The guy has gone on record as saying Dion is a 3-4 million per year D-Man. he's delusional.

Please give examples of these $7M players they should have instead of Phaneuf. Available players... Not just the guys you see out there with the biggest bargain contracts who will never ever be traded.
- Njuice

I'm not sure there is one available this year, haven't really looked at the UFA-to-be list.

But having that cap space and spending it on players who are actually worth it is a better way to manage a team than just spend it all on whatever is available so you spent to the cap.

Keep the cap space, wait for the right opportunity and get the player you really want.

When Chicago signed Hossa, he was worth every penny and I doubt they'll ever regret it. That's the kind of player you want to give that long term expensive contract. You guys did it with Kessel who's a very good player.

Dion is playing the best hockey of his career imo. To say he's "Not the Same Player" is looking at offensive stats only. In the Calgary years, he played a lot of sheltered minutes. This guy is a top shutdown D-Man. He's better defensively than he's ever been.

The problem is a guy like Kris Letang. Honestly, he's no better and Pittsburgh gave him a massive contract.

If he wants a long term contract offer him an 8 year deal for $50M and front load the crap out of it.

9, 8, 8, 6, 6, 6, 4.5, 4.5

Or something like that.

You never know.
- Steven_Dean

There is no benefit to front loading anymore. Actually with the recapture rules it makes it worse for the Leafs to front load.

I'm not sure there is one available this year, haven't really looked at the UFA-to-be list.

But having that cap space and spending it on players who are actually worth it is a better way to manage a team than just spend it all on whatever is available so you spent to the cap.

Keep the cap space, wait for the right opportunity and get the player you really want.

When Chicago signed Hossa, he was worth every penny and I doubt they'll ever regret it. That's the kind of player you want to give that long term expensive contract. You guys did it with Kessel who's a very good player.
- Scabeh

Phaneuf is a rock back there now. i could care less about his points. I say put reilly/gards/franson on the PP to bring down Dion's minutes which would also help him. Dion would be worth that contract especially since i think he is only getting better (defensively) as he gets older/more mature. Defensive dmen dont reach the peak of their game young like offensive guys do.

Very surprised at the poll results. Phaneuf takes a lot of hate and deservedly so, but the Leafs without him would be in trouble. If they trade him at the deadline they can look forward to an early exit from the playoffs....imo....
- Iggysbff

The media is blinding them. There's no playoffs without Dion. No one can replace what he does.

I'm not sure there is one available this year, haven't really looked at the UFA-to-be list.

But having that cap space and spending it on players who are actually worth it is a better way to manage a team than just spend it all on whatever is available so you spent to the cap.

Keep the cap space, wait for the right opportunity and get the player you really want.

When Chicago signed Hossa, he was worth every penny and I doubt they'll ever regret it. That's the kind of player you want to give that long term expensive contract. You guys did it with Kessel who's a very good player.
- Scabeh

Well, he's signed until he's 42, so they may one day.

Leafs would be crazy to trade Dion while in the playoff picture..
- systemtool

I laugh there are so many Leaf fans who want him gone for "Picks&Prospects" wile they're in a playoff spot. What a joke.

I, actually pay attention, to practically every game they play. Phaneuf's return could be HUGE from a contending team in need. If we trade him at the deadline and/or sign a stop gap veteran defender, and spread out Dions minutes amongst our D, there's a good chance we make the playoffs with a new roster player and a high end prospect, AND cap space. He might be our best defender, but he's not our only quality guy on the back end that can eat minutes. Why are most Leaf fans afraid to take chances? Every move a GM makes, or doesn't make, is a crap shoot. Myself, I'd rather sign Bolland long term, for MUCH less than what Dion is going to command. Get a high return for him now ! JMHO.
- LakesideBlues

Or we could end up like Philly without Pronger.

Well, he's signed until he's 42, so they may one day.
- RogerRoeper

They won 2 cups with him so it doesn't matter what happens in the next 5 years.

Plus, I'm sure he's the kind of guy who, while producing less, can still be effective for them as long as he plays.

Well, he's signed until he's 42, so they may one day.
- RogerRoeper

When he retires in 3-4 years the recapture penalty will be around $4M per year until 2021.

Looking at Shea Webers deal if He retires early (in 6-7 years) it is $7M a year recapture until 2026!

I'm not sure there is one available this year, haven't really looked at the UFA-to-be list.

But having that cap space and spending it on players who are actually worth it is a better way to manage a team than just spend it all on whatever is available so you spent to the cap.

Keep the cap space, wait for the right opportunity and get the player you really want.

When Chicago signed Hossa, he was worth every penny and I doubt they'll ever regret it. That's the kind of player you want to give that long term expensive contract. You guys did it with Kessel who's a very good player.
- Scabeh

Ummm you may be incorrect on that. There was and still is some talk of them buying him out. That alone is proof they regret it. The structure of those contracts was horrid and made guys untradeable and now there are penalties in place to penalize teams that did it.

That being said though the max of 8 yrs is a different ball game than what Hossa signed for.

Neither can Kris Letang and he's making 56m. Using Team Canada as a measuring bar is pretty silly.
- djamon

Im not using it as measuring stick.
Just saying.
Also, just because pitts wants to overpay Letang, doesnt mean the Leafs should.
Dion is only affective for up to 24 mins....he really cant play anymore than that effectively. He's no Suter.
Do the leafs really want 6.5 -7 million wrapped up in a guy that cant be effective after the 24min mark?

The media is blinding them. There's no playoffs without Dion. No one can replace what he does.
- RogerRoeper

that's a pretty bold and incorrect statement.

I'm not sure there is one available this year, haven't really looked at the UFA-to-be list.

But having that cap space and spending it on players who are actually worth it is a better way to manage a team than just spend it all on whatever is available so you spent to the cap.

Keep the cap space, wait for the right opportunity and get the player you really want.

When Chicago signed Hossa, he was worth every penny and I doubt they'll ever regret it. That's the kind of player you want to give that long term expensive contract. You guys did it with Kessel who's a very good player.
- Scabeh

The reality is that no great players come up as UFAs anymore - maybe one or two a season, tops.

So do you sign a guy like Phaneuf, or do you let him go and take your 1/30 shot at signing a guy to replace him?

The math is easy: you grit your teeth, forget the fact you are paying too much, and you resign him.

that's a pretty bold and incorrect statement.
- Fakepartofme

Name the players who we can replace him with that can do what he does.

that's a pretty bold and incorrect statement.
- Fakepartofme

It's an accurate statement if you consider your actual opportunity to land a guy to replace him.

You aren't getting Doughty. You aren't getting Suter.

Im not using it as measuring stick.
Just saying.
Also, just because pitts wants to overpay Letang, doesnt mean the Leafs should.
Dion is only affective for up to 24 mins....he really cant play anymore than that effectively. He's no Suter.
Do the leafs really want 6.5 -7 million wrapped up in a guy that cant be effective after the 24min mark?
- Fakepartofme

Rob Zamuner has been an Olympian. It's a two-week tournament. What Dion does at the NHL level is so much more relevant.

It's an accurate statement if you consider your actual opportunity to land a guy to replace him.

You aren't getting Doughty. You aren't getting Suter.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly. There's no one available. Minnesota got Suter by giving him 100 million over 13 years.

When he retires in 3-4 years the recapture penalty will be around $4M per year until 2021.

Looking at Shea Webers deal if He retires early (in 6-7 years) it is $7M a year recapture until 2026!
- ImThatGuy

The same reason the buyout of Lou was the way to go for Vancouver ownership. Tough cheque to write but the recapture penalty could be crippling.


The wild could be in for a major problem as Suter and Parise signed identical deals - could see cap recapture penalties of over 6.5 mil a season per player if they retired in 2023.

The same reason the buyout of Lou was the way to go for Vancouver ownership. Tough cheque to write but the recapture penalty could be crippling.


The wild could be in for a major problem as Suter and Parise signed identical deals - could see cap recapture penalties of over 6.5 mil a season per player if they retired in 2023.
- Canuckleafer

Vancouver ownership obviously said no. I don't know why they don't get more heat in Vancouver over that.