who had the Tavares gem?
- drexel

Some bumhole...

Um, Isn't cap space, or lack thereof, the whole reason for this discussion about trading Dion, or not re-signing him ? I was merely stating where those cap dollars could go, but apparently last years loss against the Bruins, and/or Toronto's success at even making it into the playoffs, was all due to Dion's play, and had nothing to do with our faceoff % or depth at center.
Pardon my sarcasm.
- LakesideBlues

My point is we would ditch a dman for Dion's cap space, not a forward. But you are pardoned.

That's be an awesome trade for the Leafs, although I don't see it ever happening.
- LeftCoaster

Of course it would never happen. It's pure Leaf-fan fantasy.

However, the Leafs DO have the assets to put together a solid package for a star player. The only problem is, if you look around the league, I don't think there are very many to be had -- at any price.

Really, if you go down the list of potential players that could fit the need we have, there aren't many. And each one of them is firmly entrenched on their team. So I don't see it happening.

He'll get 5m after playing in 30 games? Um...no, he won't.
- djamon

of course he will. for the same reason Ryane Clowe got $30 million after a 3-goal season.

what percentage of UFA contracts can be justified? UFA is not about a player's overall perceived value. it's about his value to ONE team.
- DoubleDown

UFA is all about the player having all the leverage. This really isn't about value so much as it is about forcing desperate teams to over pay or using your advantage to find the perfect situation for yourself. I don't think Columbus would say Horton is worth the money they paid, even considering their perceived value of him. But desperate times call for desperate measures and it's really their only way of luring UFA's to play for their team, because they have no other selling points going for them.

That's like saying that every player the Canucks wish to sign, who is better than Booth, will all demand 5million a season. Which, clearly, is not true and far from accurate.
- systemtool

That's a blanket statement, think clearly here....Bozak and Bolland are both center's, they play a similar game with a similar skill-set. Try comparing apples to apples here and we'll get alone just fine.

what percentage of UFA contracts can be justified? UFA is not about a player's overall perceived value. it's about his value to ONE team.
- DoubleDown

That is where I am coming from though. All of these contracts for Tweener 2/3rd line players are out of control. I thought the lockout was supposed to impact this.

Dear Eklund,

Phaneuf is not despised by anyone over here. Not sure where you got that one

how the (frank) is there nearly 9000 votes already?

Trade the bum Nonis! You wont regret it

But on a serious note,, he's not worth it imo

I disagree with this opinion so much, that my response would be a chore of corrections that could consume far too much of my time. You're right. Bozak sucks and would only make 1 million on every other team. Bolland is awesome and would make 6 million on every other team.

Gotcha. Sometimes, the smile and nod works better than trying to fix ignorance.
- systemtool

now you're just being childish. Bozak is a good player, but he's not a 4.2 million dollar player or a 1 million dollar player. He's overpaid, so are a lot of other guys, stop being so protective of "your" guys.

That's a blanket statement, think clearly here....Bozak and Bolland are both center's, they play a similar game with a similar skill-set. Try comparing apples to apples here and we'll get alone just fine.
- LeftCoaster

It's funny you come up with this gem after saying that Bozak isn't worth 4.2 million, but Bolland is worth 5 million. Yet everything is the same, as you say.

The problem is, you're trying to compare apples to apples, but you're telling everyone that one of the apples is really a pear. Try not contradicting yourself and you'll get along just fine with the people you're trying to fool.

of course he will. for the same reason Ryane Clowe got $30 million after a 3-goal season.
- DoubleDown

agreed....as much as you can hate clarkson's deal, clowe's was way worse.

of course he will. for the same reason Ryane Clowe got $30 million after a 3-goal season.
- DoubleDown

He certainly could depending on what the centre free agent pool looks like in the off-season. His value will go up if there are fewer options available.

This is where the NHL has a problem. What has Bolland done to justify a $5MM a year contract?
- ImThatGuy

Why two "M"s? 5MM instead of 5M?

Curious - not trying to be condescending or a spelling nazi.

It's funny you come up with this gem after saying that Bozak isn't worth 4.2 million, but Bolland is worth 5 million. Yet everything is the same, as you say.

The problem is, you're trying to compare apples to apples, but you're telling everyone that one of the apples is really a pear. Try not contradicting yourself and you'll get along just fine with the people you're trying to fool.
- systemtool

I said Bolland is worth 5 is Bozak is worth 4.2. I didn't say on an open market, I said to the Leafs....there's a difference. In my mind anyways?

He certainly could depending on what the centre free agent pool looks like in the off-season. His value will go up if there are fewer options available.
- Canuckleafer

If he even makes it. People assume Bolland will be a UFA no questions asked. He's working on an extension currently, according to Sportsnet, so he could be signed long before he gets to the off season. So to assume he's a lock for 5 million is absurd.

It's funny you come up with this gem after saying that Bozak isn't worth 4.2 million, but Bolland is worth 5 million. Yet everything is the same, as you say.

The problem is, you're trying to compare apples to apples, but you're telling everyone that one of the apples is really a pear. Try not contradicting yourself and you'll get along just fine with the people you're trying to fool.
- systemtool

personally i like red delicious... but Gala's are good too.. wait, what are we talking about?

I said Bolland is worth 5 is Bozak is worth 4.2. I didn't say on an open market, I said to the Leafs....there's a difference. In my mind anyways?
- LeftCoaster

But you're saying Bozak isn't worth 4.2, which means neither is Bolland. If he is only negatiating with the Leafs, then his value is lower than Bozaks which is why he plays a lesser role than Bozak. Be consistent!

My point is we would ditch a dman for Dion's cap space, not a forward. But you are pardoned.
- clark_griswold

And forego what we would get in return on a trade ?
I guess we all have our opinions, and with all due respect, and a smile on my face, i don't like yours

personally i like red delicious... but Gala's are good too.. wait, what are we talking about?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

pink ladies are unreal.

personally i like red delicious... but Gala's are good too.. wait, what are we talking about?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Granny Smith and Macintosh are my top two apples.

We're talking Luongo VS Schneider, who stays and who goes...no?

I watch most Leafs game and have for a good 10+ years. I feel Phaneuf is expendable at this point based on his financial demands and the cast of players waiting to chomp on more ice time. I think they need to replace Phaneuf with someone who can be better defensively responsible/less of a gambler and let Reiley, Franson, Gardiner take care of your offense from the blueline. I do believe hes having his best season in a long time though. I would also consider the trade I heard yesterday involving Reimer, Gardiner and Kadri plus a pick for John Tavares. While shedding salary by parting with Phaneuf in another deal for a more responsible d-man. This would be 50+ Kessel goals without a doubt.
JVR-JT-Kessel
Lupul-Bozak-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Holland
Orr-McClement-Mcclaren
- Seitch2

Whoa, what? Who said that trade or are you just saying someone random proposed that for fun?

It's funny you come up with this gem after saying that Bozak isn't worth 4.2 million, but Bolland is worth 5 million. Yet everything is the same, as you say.

The problem is, you're trying to compare apples to apples, but you're telling everyone that one of the apples is really a pear. Try not contradicting yourself and you'll get along just fine with the people you're trying to fool.
- systemtool

If Bozak and Bolland were both on the open market, who would be offered more money and term? As a center, I think Bolland gets more. Better offensive number and two Cup rings in which he played a large role in shutting down the other teams better players.

That is where I am coming from though. All of these contracts for Tweener 2/3rd line players are out of control. I thought the lockout was supposed to impact this.
- ImThatGuy

It has in a huge way. We have Mason Raymond making 1m. There's other guys like him in the league making nothing as well. There was a huge squeeze on the middle of the road guys this year.

And forego what we would get in return on a trade ?
I guess we all have our opinions, and with all due respect, and a smile on my face, i don't like yours

- LakesideBlues

true story. I just feel trading phaneuf when we can make a run with him doesn't add up. We don't need prospects/picks, we have a very young team that can win NOW (but not without Dion).

But agree to disagree.