Personally I don't think so if any just a little not alot and not worth what u give up for him anyways.
- MindFr3eak

Where I see a difference in the two players is this: Phaneuf's decision making is not as refined. He tries for a big hit, or sometimes doesn't know when to not pinch in. Too many times, he gets caught up ice and then looks like a pilon, when he gets caught flat footed. Weber is a more complete package than Phaneuf will ever be. I make that trade, if it becomes available. I chance losing him to free agency, to see if we could keep him here. When Phaneuf's contract comes up again, does anyone believe that he'll accept the same money or less to stay here? He's not worth the 6.5 that he's getting paid now. He's a 5 million dollar hockey player, no more!

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.
- Feeling Glucky?

Shea Weber is what Phaneuf should have become but never did. They're on two different levels and Weber is definitely on the higher level.

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

When we were regularly making the playoffs that didn't happen then either, it's something else, we have always aquired our talent thru trade ala sundin, gilmour, roberts etc..... We in all honesty have not really lured a big name FA to the leafs in our generation of watching the game...... not one in his prime anyways

mogilny and andreychucki s all i can think of and in prime just mogilny

Oshie id be pass out from excitement, great work ethic... Love Oshie... Doan would be a great fit as well.

I would love to see Doan in a Toronto Jersey, but he will most likely sign with a western Canadian team. Not sure if he'll control the room as well on another team. He owns that team because it is his, he's been there forever as all the other players have joined him in his house. He's a leader but he's also polite and respectful (judging from what I have ever heard or seen of him). I don't know if he'd step in by stepping on toes. Dion walked in and blasted the radio as we've all been told, Doan would not agree with that move.

I would picture Edmonton attracting Shane and his wife's attention, or maybe Vancouver if they were interested. Calgary would be the longshot because of their chances of winning in the next couple years.

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.
- 13sundin13

What really aggravated me about Burke this year, was his inability to do what needed doing, at the draft. Could we have not found a way to move up to second or third, from the five hole and fix our number 1 centre problem? Could we not have put a package of a good prospect and a roster player to move up two or three spots? We ruined a chance to get our number one centre, because he could not be proactive and show the fanbase that there was effort there. It would have gone a long way, to sooth the apprehension of the suffering fanbase. It would have been a powerful symbol. He failed! Could have done the same in round 2 and moved up into the 22 range and grabbed a goaltender. Again, another sybol that he was addressing the needs of this team. Many will say that it was a good draft, but I think that it could have been a turning point of this franchise, if he had been proactive. He missed a great opportunity here. Madness......just madness!!!

When we were regularly making the playoffs that didn't happen then either, it's something else, we have always aquired our talent thru trade ala sundin, gilmour, roberts etc..... We in all honesty have not really lured a big name FA to the leafs in our generation of watching the game...... not one in his prime anyways

mogilny and andreychucki s all i can think of and in prime just mogilny
- MindFr3eak

Didn't Roberts and Neiwendyk sign as free agents?

When we were regularly making the playoffs that didn't happen then either, it's something else, we have always aquired our talent thru trade ala sundin, gilmour, roberts etc..... We in all honesty have not really lured a big name FA to the leafs in our generation of watching the game...... not one in his prime anyways

mogilny and andreychucki s all i can think of and in prime just mogilny
- MindFr3eak

Roberts and Tucker were no slouches either. We made a good deal for McCabe, as well. At least Quinn knew talent and found a way to get the players that he needed to make us a contender. Burke has lost his nerve.

Didn't Roberts and Neiwendyk sign as free agents?
- stevecarpetman

They did, as did Shane Corson.

Didn't Roberts and Neiwendyk sign as free agents?
- stevecarpetman

We had half the flames team on our roster already, I am talking about in thier prime random Premium UFA. These 2 were not in prime when they came either.

They did, as did Shane Corson.
- JohnnyReb

Not a premium player man, solid sure not premium=elite

Where I see a difference in the two players is this: Phaneuf's decision making is not as refined. He tries for a big hit, or sometimes doesn't know when to not pinch in. Too many times, he gets caught up ice and then looks like a pilon, when he gets caught flat footed. Weber is a more complete package than Phaneuf will ever be. I make that trade, if it becomes available. I chance losing him to free agency, to see if we could keep him here. When Phaneuf's contract comes up again, does anyone believe that he'll accept the same money or less to stay here? He's not worth the 6.5 that he's getting paid now. He's a 5 million dollar hockey player, no more!
- JohnnyReb

You can't judge our defnse on the past couple years, with the system they were forced to play. It put way to much onis to skate on the guys that stayed on the ice the longest. On paper we had a good defense corps, but they ran out of gas both seasons. Last year it took a little longer because their conditioning was better, but the new system will be tactically and positionally more sound. Phaneuf was awesome the first two months of the season and pretty damn good into December, but like the rest of the team he tetered off.

We had half the flames team on our roster already, I am talking about in thier prime random Premium UFA. These 2 were not in prime when they came either.
- MindFr3eak

Free agents will always cost you more than they are worth. The whole point of the UFA market is for players to get overpaid. I think the better question is when was the last time the Leafs drafted their own star player?

Not a premium player man, solid sure not premium=elite
- MindFr3eak

But if you added these three players, at the level that they were playing at, when we got them, would we be a playoff team right now? Yes! They had a few other decent grabs too. Travis Greene was no slouch, on the third line. Good pickups, lots of grit and tenacity. Maybe Quinn should be brought back into the management team, to point out talented players with grit. It's apparent that none of the current assistant's to the assistant's to the assistant's to the GM, Grand Poobah, Pope and Emperor have a clue!

Shea Weber is what Phaneuf should have become but never did. They're on two different levels and Weber is definitely on the higher level.
- Two_For_Truth

Let's see how well Weber does now that Suter isnt there to clean up his defensive mistakes, okay UG?


Or, better yet, lets put Phaneuf on a defensive team, and put a Vezina calibre goalie behind him.

Free agents will always cost you more than they are worth. The whole point of the UFA market is for players to get overpaid. I think the better question is when was the last time the Leafs drafted their own star player?
- Two_For_Truth

See my previous post on not trading up this year!!!!

Free agents will always cost you more than they are worth. The whole point of the UFA market is for players to get overpaid. I think the better question is when was the last time the Leafs drafted their own star player?
- Two_For_Truth

of course we both know that answer, post lockout we were basically (frank)ed we had nadda in the cupboards and JFJ did little to help us, We had to give up a bunch to get a couple players here we overpaid for, hopefully the mistakes are noted and we move forward now, we have a decent young core, stay the course

If your packaging youth in a trade make sure you get young talent back............I only expect to see 1 cup in my lifetime i can be patient for a little more.

Let's see how well Weber does now that Suter isnt there to clean up his defensive mistakes, okay UG?
- jbold

He'll be fine. Weber that is. I have a feeling that they'll trade him, knowing that they'll need a rebuild, after losing Suter. Let's see how a real team does a quick rebuild. They'll still make the playoffs and rebuild on the fly. All without a top draft pick........over to you Pope Fool Of Toronto!

of course we both know that answer, post lockout we were basically (frank)ed we had nadda in the cupboards and JFJ did little to help us, We had to give up a bunch to get a couple players here we overpaid for, hopefully the mistakes are noted and we move forward now, we have a decent young core, stay the course

If your packaging youth in a trade make sure you get young talent back............I only expect to see 1 cup in my lifetime i can be patient for a little more.
- MindFr3eak

besides i usedto be a blockhead leaf fan now i watch all games for pure love so that makes me a happier, only took 6 years of no leafs to adapt

Free agents will always cost you more than they are worth. The whole point of the UFA market is for players to get overpaid. I think the better question is when was the last time the Leafs drafted their own star player?
- Two_For_Truth

Exactly. Finishing 9-12 every year sucks. Burke talks about getting into the playoffs to be knocked out in the first round, is something he's not willing to do. The 92 - 93 Leafs were never expected to beat Detroit but they did. Anything can happen if you have a ticket to the dance, nothing happens if you're standing outside the window watching. Better to be home knowing you have to take dancing lessons.

He'll be fine. Weber that is. I have a feeling that they'll trade him, knowing that they'll need a rebuild, after losing Suter. Let's see how a real team does a quick rebuild. They'll still make the playoffs and rebuild on the fly. All without a top draft pick........over to you Pope Fool Of Toronto!
- JohnnyReb

If they traded Weber right now, their team would still be better than what Burke inherited.

of course we both know that answer, post lockout we were basically (frank)ed we had nadda in the cupboards and JFJ did little to help us, We had to give up a bunch to get a couple players here we overpaid for, hopefully the mistakes are noted and we move forward now, we have a decent young core, stay the course

If your packaging youth in a trade make sure you get young talent back............I only expect to see 1 cup in my lifetime i can be patient for a little more.
- MindFr3eak

I saw them win it, when I was 9. I thought that they would win at least a few more, in my lifetime. I'll be retired in 10 years or so. I just wonder if I'll see a playoff game, before I retire!

Or, better yet, lets put Phaneuf on a defensive team, and put a Vezina calibre goalie behind him.
- jbold

See, Calgary, Kiprusoff.

Pretty sure they still traded him to the Leafs.

Let me double check.

Yup, they did.

Exactly. Finishing 9-12 every year sucks. Burke talks about getting into the playoffs to be knocked out in the first round, is something he's not willing to do. The 92 - 93 Leafs were never expected to beat Detroit but they did. Anything can happen if you have a ticket to the dance, nothing happens if you're standing outside the window watching. Better to be home knowing you have to take dancing lessons.
- stevecarpetman

Dougie and Wendel back then.....a pair of aces. I don't see anything that resembles one or either of these, on the current team or in the minors.

He'll be fine. Weber that is. I have a feeling that they'll trade him, knowing that they'll need a rebuild, after losing Suter. Let's see how a real team does a quick rebuild. They'll still make the playoffs and rebuild on the fly. All without a top draft pick........over to you Pope Fool Of Toronto!
- JohnnyReb

Leafs had a shot at an on the fly rebuild with the muskoka five...remember that>>>>??? 5 no trades 5 no dice, we could have rebuilt in a single year....se la vie