Well if you were UG then you wouldn't say you were because you would get banned so it doesn't really matter how many times you say it. I hope you are though, that ban was way to hefty.

Ahaha or maybe you actually aren't and the one of a kind character just happened to come around as soon as UG got banned

Whatever it is I like debating with UG so maybe I will like debating with you.
- maverickJ

My account got screwed up, and when they went to this cellphone pin thing, I was not able to access my main account, so I'm stuck with this one. I asked one of the referees to help, but have not had any luck getting it fixed. My original account was one that I'd had since 2007. So believe me, I'm not UG.

Phaneuf, macarthur and Kadri for Weber?

Any takers?
- maverickJ

The only taker that matters is Nashville and I doubt they'd even consider that deal.

The only taker that matters is Nashville and I doubt they'd even consider that deal.
- Two_For_Truth

Really? Amongst all of the speculation of losing him to free agency next year? If I was Nashville and Weber said he isn't interested in re signing I'd make the deal in a second.

My account got screwed up, and when they went to this cellphone pin thing, I was not able to access my main account, so I'm stuck with this one. I asked one of the referees to help, but have not had any luck getting it fixed. My original account was one that I'd had since 2007. So believe me, I'm not UG.
- JohnnyReb

I've been there

Sometimes, the best moves you make are the ones you don't make. If Burke avoids making mistakes this summer, consider it a victory.
- Two_For_Truth

Sometime, their going to have to make a major move, to get other UFA's interested in coming here. For the record, I don't want Luongo here, but would like to see Nash or Ryan. If it costs Kessel, then so be it! He's not, or never will be a winner, because he's soft and would disappear, in the current NHL playoff structure.

OK, we watch Philly, the Rangers and Detroit over the years. They attract big names, even if they have to pay them large. Other players look at a team that will do anything to win and decide to maybe give them a try next year. Why did Brad Richards pick the Rangers over the Leafs? Their commitment to do whatever it took to win. Sign Gaborik, sign whoever it took to fill their holes. Philly was proactive, traded prime assets for younger top end players and draft picks, filled holes with free agent signings. Detroit drafted well, but also grabbed whatever it took to keep competitive. They tried, but failed, to grab both Suter and Parise. At least they tried. They showed inititive to go to the wall and compete. The Leafs, on the other hand, just put out excuses. Reasons for not chasing free agents, cap circumvention. During the draft, refusing to trade up, to fill a critical hole at centre, in round 1. Second round, they could have moved that pick with an asset, to get a second late first rounder and fill a hole in net. Nothing! They refuse to be proactive and would rather just sit idle. What top end, or even middling free agent wants to come here, seeing this going on!
- JohnnyReb

Right now isn't the time to get those high priced free agents in my opinion. The fact that they have a hard stance against crazy contracts does irk me a bit, but at the same time, Parise for 13 years @ 7.5 a year? Suter as well? I think if they had to do it, and felt it would be the final piece in a cup run, then they would pull the trigger. But not as a quick fix.

In the end, they can't attract UFAs because they aren't winning. If they can put together at least a solid playoff team, we'll see much more interest from UFAs.

The only taker that matters is Nashville and I doubt they'd even consider that deal.
- Two_For_Truth

If they offered us a first rounder and good prospect, they can have Phaneuf. The contract and leadership of this guy is a burden. Move him, if they can!

Really? Amongst all of the speculation of losing him to free agency next year? If I was Nashville and Weber said he isn't interested in re signing I'd make the deal in a second.
- maverickJ

Arguably the best all around defenceman in the world and that's the best offer they would get? Doubt it. If Nashville trades him, they're going to get a lot more than that.

Sometime, their going to have to make a major move, to get other UFA's interested in coming here. For the record, I don't want Luongo here, but would like to see Nash or Ryan. If it costs Kessel, then so be it! He's not, or never will be a winner, because he's soft and would disappear, in the current NHL playoff structure.
- JohnnyReb

I would do Kessel for Ryan but not for Nash. I think Nash is overrated and Kessel is underrated and has more potential

Sometime, their going to have to make a major move, to get other UFA's interested in coming here. For the record, I don't want Luongo here, but would like to see Nash or Ryan. If it costs Kessel, then so be it! He's not, or never will be a winner, because he's soft and would disappear, in the current NHL playoff structure.
- JohnnyReb

They don't have to make a major move unless it makes sense and there's nothing out there so there's no use in just making a splash for the sake of getting wet.

Arguably the best all around defenceman in the world and that's the best offer they would get? Doubt it. If Nashville trades him, they're going to get a lot more than that.
- Two_For_Truth

Well they would want more, I'm sure Atlanta wanted more for Kovalchuk than they got but if the deal was to get done it would be at the trade deadline so how much more could you really give them without a guarantee to resign?

Phaneuf, macarthur and Kadri for Weber?

Any takers?
- maverickJ

Is weber sans suter really that big of an improvement over phaneuf?

Right now isn't the time to get those high priced free agents in my opinion. The fact that they have a hard stance against crazy contracts does irk me a bit, but at the same time, Parise for 13 years @ 7.5 a year? Suter as well? I think if they had to do it, and felt it would be the final piece in a cup run, then they would pull the trigger. But not as a quick fix.

In the end, they can't attract UFAs because they aren't winning. If they can put together at least a solid playoff team, we'll see much more interest from UFAs.
- 13sundin13

That's the catch 22. They can't win, because they don't have the talent. They can't get the talent, because they're not winning. Only way to change that, is to grab a front line UFA and hope that more follow, in years going forward. Any UFA around 27, is going to probably be around for 8 more years, so I have no problem with the length of such a deal, for the right UFA. If it's a Cory Perry or Getzlaf, then you do it!

If they offered us a first rounder and good prospet, they can have Phaneuf. The contract and leadership of this guy is a burden. Move him, if they can!
- JohnnyReb

I disagree, who would you rather be our captain?
He is not a "burden" We are definitely a better team with him in the line up

Well they would want more, I'm sure Atlanta wanted more for Kovalchuk than they got but if the deal was to get done it would be at the trade deadline so how much more could you really give them without a guarantee to resign?
- maverickJ

Weber holds a lot more value than Kovalchuk did. Think of Weber as the next Pronger.

Is weber sans suter really that big of an improvement over phaneuf?
- Feeling Glucky?

Interesting theory, he is better defensively but I could see his goals dropping while not playing with Suter. But who made who better is the question?

Is weber sans suter really that big of an improvement over phaneuf?
- Feeling Glucky?

Of course not.

Weber holds a lot more value than Kovalchuk did. Think of Weber as the next Pronger.
- Two_For_Truth

I don't disagree with you but he wouldn't get as much as he normally would if he had say a 2 year contract.

They don't have to make a major move unless it makes sense and there's nothing out there so there's no use in just making a splash for the sake of getting wet.
- Two_For_Truth

The issue isn't just this year. It goes back 3 or 4 years. They will not compete for the top talent. If big markets like the Rangers, Flyers or Red Wings can do it, then there is no reason that we can't. There will be no improvement, until their apprehension about cap circumvention is equalized. If they can't come to that understanding, then we'll forever be at a tactical disadvantage going forward.

The issue isn't just this year. It goes back 3 or 4 years. They will not compete for the top talent. If big markets like the Rangers, Flyers or Red Wings can do it, then there is no reason that we can't. There will be no improvement, until their apprehension about cap circumvention is equalized. If they can't come to that understanding, then we'll forever be at a tactical disadvantage going forward.
- JohnnyReb

I think what is really hurting us is that we suck. If we were making the playoffs consistently it would be easier to entice big name FAs to come play

Of course not.
- Two_For_Truth

I'm not saying Phaneuf is better, or on par. I'm just questioning if upgrading from Phaneuf to Weber is worth the assets it'd take... And if fans like you wouldnt start complaining about him the same way you do with Dion.

I beg your pardon?
- Two_For_Truth

nothing like getting dragged into a fistfight eh

I think what is really hurting us is that we suck. If we were making the playoffs consistently it would be easier to entice big name FAs to come play
- maverickJ

As I had mentioned previously, it's a catch 22. If you can't be a playoff team, then your at a tactical disadvantage, against perenial playoff teams. How do you break into the playoffs and compete against a Rangers, Flyers, Penguins, Bruins type teams, that are always in the playoffs? They're there, because they drafted well and grabbed the proper free agents and make the astute trades. Where were the Leafs when James Neal was available and Pittsburgh grabbed him? Could they not have made a better offer for one of the better up and coming power forwards? Where was the Leafs scouting, or the 7 headed management team, while this was going on? The Leafs are a top heavy organization that need fewer Chiefs and better Indians.

Is weber sans suter really that big of an improvement over phaneuf?
- Feeling Glucky?

Personally I don't think so if any just a little not alot and not worth what u give up for him anyways.

That's the catch 22. They can't win, because they don't have the talent. They can't get the talent, because they're not winning. Only way to change that, is to grab a front line UFA and hope that more follow, in years going forward. Any UFA around 27, is going to probably be around for 8 more years, so I have no problem with the length of such a deal, for the right UFA. If it's a Cory Perry or Getzlaf, then you do it!
- JohnnyReb

For the right one, yes, and I think Burke would swallow his pride and do it for a top line centre aged 27-28. Even though he said he wouldn't, he can be surprisingly humble whne it comes to putting the team first. I dont think Richards was that guy at age 31, Parise may have been but obviously they didnt think so and we'll see. I get what you're saying, but I dont think the UFA route is a great way to go these days. The talent is just thin, and you end up overpaying a guy based on the fact that theres nothing out there. Plus, since we're a losing team, they probably have to outbid other teams which makes it even worse. Our best hope is that some of these young guys can really develop and start taking jobs from the current players, and hopefully Burke can swing a deal that fills a couple more holes for the upcoming season.

If Perry or Getz are UFAs next season then I would totally agree that they gotta make a very strong play to get either one of them.