i say get worse to avoid signing him to something stupid and rebuild this horrendous defense properly

one step back, two steps forward.
- Dozzer

except nobody's saying what those two steps forward are.

signing 2 mediocre guys to replace Phaneuf isn't a step forward, let alone 2 steps.

Signing a guy to supplement Phaneuf... that'd be a step forward.

For the record, if Dion hit UFA status, he would get more than $7 million a year.

Same with Kessel, btw.
- Atomic Wedgie

Let's hope but history points to the Leafs making yet another big mistake.

It will be a shave not a haircut

7.5 for 7-8 years each will be the lowest amount they get, IMO.
- LeafMan

yeah.. thats what i mean.. 8 years each.. about 7.5.. both are worth more than kessel.

i say get worse to avoid signing him to something stupid and rebuild this horrendous defense properly

one step back, two steps forward.
- Dozzer

People dont have the patience or common sense for that.

except nobody's saying what those two steps forward are.

signing 2 mediocre guys to replace Phaneuf isn't a step forward, let alone 2 steps.

Signing a guy to supplement Phaneuf... that'd be a step forward.
- Feeling Glucky?

put some of the kids in and see what happens..

still rather that than phaneuf

gluck.. dion isnt that good. he is the second guy who should be paired with a number one.

he, like bozak, is miscast in toronto
- Dozzer

Where are theses 30 guys better than him then? That he will be a number 2 playing alongside.

its cute how you think the leafs will be in 8th place come spring.

my guess is they are on the outside looking in.

they've been dropping like a stone. 6 points out of grabbing a top 3 spot in the division.. and only 3 points up on the rangers. who happen to have a game in hand. who have also a better record in their last ten than the leafs.
- Dozzer

Its cute how they're above an 8th place team come today. It's ugly that you think the solution is to shed the best player because guys like Franson, Liles, Ranger, Fraser suck.

How do we rebuild a D in one year? Whats the plan here? Im just trying to understand how this is going to work.
- systemtool

you dont.. but they dont have to.. they have their core forwards locked up for 4 plus years.. so long as you can turn it over in that time (which isnt impossible at all) those forwards dont bolt.

except nobody's saying what those two steps forward are.

signing 2 mediocre guys to replace Phaneuf isn't a step forward, let alone 2 steps.

Signing a guy to supplement Phaneuf... that'd be a step forward.
- Feeling Glucky?

Common sense.

except nobody's saying what those two steps forward are.

signing 2 mediocre guys to replace Phaneuf isn't a step forward, let alone 2 steps.

Signing a guy to supplement Phaneuf... that'd be a step forward.
- Feeling Glucky?

It is a step forward, if the mediocre guys play better defense (which wouldn't be hard to do), sign short term to allow our own young prospect and current young players to step up.

He plays 23 minutes somewhat effectively.....that time can be replaced either via trade, within or UFA.
- Fakepartofme

Trade: nope. And you would have to give up talent and picks to acquire someone of his talent level. And the money will be similar.

Within: hell no. Phaneuf is the best d-man by far - it isn't even close.

UFA: nope. Only other guy in same level scheduled to hit UFA status is Markov - and I guarantee Montreal doesn't let him walk.

So to recap: nope, hell no and nope.

Common sense.
- systemtool

is lost on you guys.

Where are theses 30 guys better than him then? That he will be a number 2 playing alongside.
- Yeti1181

seabrook.. doughty, subban, piterangelo, keith,

thats five in about 2 seconds.. want me to go on?

yeah.. thats what i mean.. 8 years each.. about 7.5.. both are worth more than kessel.
- Dozzer

I may be one of the few that think the Leafs gave way too much to Kessel, I don't like more than 5 year contracts, complacency is a major problem with longer term deals.

dont be surprised if they both take less to stay together in chi town.

i wouldnt be.. not one bit.
- Dozzer

Could happen but Perry and Getzlaf didn't

Its cute how they're above an 8th place team come today. It's ugly that you think the solution is to shed the best player because guys like Franson, Liles, Ranger, Fraser suck.
- systemtool

what are you talking about? the leafs have the 8th playoff spot locked up and they are only 3 points up on the rangers, who have a game in hand.

you dont.. but they dont have to.. they have their core forwards locked up for 4 plus years.. so long as you can turn it over in that time (which isnt impossible at all) those forwards dont bolt.
- Dozzer

Wow...

Trade: nope. And you would have to give up talent and picks to acquire someone of his talent level. And the money will be similar.

Within: hell no. Phaneuf is the best d-man by far - it isn't even close.

UFA: nope. Only other guy in same level scheduled to hit UFA status is Markov - and I guarantee Montreal doesn't let him walk.

So to recap: nope, hell no and nope.
- Atomic Wedgie

yes. You could trade Phaneuf to acquire a decent defensive dman.
Dion is a good defenseman...but he's not far and away better than others. He is marginally.
move on.

Could happen but Perry and Getzlaf didn't
- jribout

8.625 and 8.25

i would take either of those guys in a heartbeat over kessel at 8

i'd actually call that a discount for anaheim.

what are you talking about? the leafs have the 8th playoff spot locked up and they are only 3 points up on the rangers, who have a game in hand.
- Dozzer

Thats what im talking about. But it's 7th, not 8th.

You said it was cute that I thought they would be an 8th place team, well they are, they might not be by seasons end but it's not outlandish for a person to think a 7th place team could be top 8....

I may be one of the few that think the Leafs gave way too much to Kessel, I don't like more than 5 year contracts, complacency is a major problem which longer term deals.
- LeafMan

especially in a city where the players are treated like rockstars

wish it was like football in this aspect.. where a team can release a player.. no guaranteed contracts

8.625 and 8.25

i would take either of those guys in a heartbeat over kessel at 8

i'd actually call that a discount for anaheim.
- Dozzer

And that is the point many of us are making. You never had a shot at taking those guys, so it's either pay Kessel or trade him or let him walk and eventually replace him with the Clarksons and Komisareks of free agency.

Thats what im talking about. But it's 7th, not 8th.

You said it was cute that I thought they would be an 8th place team, well they are, they might not be by seasons end but it's not outlandish for a person to think a 7th place team could be top 8....
- systemtool

wtf are you talking about.. they are in 8th.. looking at it right now.. detroit is in 7th with two points up on the leafs.

seabrook.. doughty, subban, piterangelo, keith,

thats five in about 2 seconds.. want me to go on?
- Dozzer

Yes. I do.

Yes. I do.
- systemtool

i still want you to explain why the leafs in 7th means anything?

because it means sweet Richard all when it comes to the playoffs.