With the NHL Draft and the bulk of free agents being signed, have the Leafs made the right decisions and are they done for the summer?? It’s time to answer your questions submitted via Twitter and in the comments of my daily Hockeybuzz column.
Q - …@SomeRandomRob asks - Just how short a leash is (Randy)Carlyle on?
A - The two-year contract extension given to Carlyle last May was more a golden parachute than a vote of confidence. His tenure with the Leafs depends on how they do this season. Unless Toronto goes through a lengthy slump for a long stretch of the season and falls way behind in the race for a playoff spot, the veteran coach will be given the whole season. If the Leafs make the playoffs or show significant improvement, than Carlyle will last past next season.
Q - …@JoeGiorgio1 asks - Ek is saying Tampa Bay for Dion(Phaneuf). What do you think the Leafs would ask for? Or do you think there might be a bigger deal w/ more players?
A – Eklund indicated on the webcast that a potential deal might involve more than just Phaneuf from the Toronto side, but looking at the Tampa roster, there are few options that seem worthy of that hefty price. The Lightning are not likely to trade youngsters Ondrej Palat or Tyler Johnson, recently signed Ryan Callahan or center Valtteri Filppula and it is too far fetched to think that GM Steve Yzerman would trade superstar Steven Stamkos two years prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent. The most likely targets would be young prospect Jonathan Drouin or defenseman Victor Hedman
Drouin is looked upon as a possible replacement for the departed Martin St. Louis and Hedman has finally started coming into his own as a defenseman after being selected second overall in 2009.
Q - …@Ryan13George asks - If Phaneuf moves back to the left side, who do you realistically see playing with him on the top pairing?
A – I do not think the Leafs will move Phaneuf to the left side. My suspicion is that Carlyle will pair him with Jake Gardiner, who he has played with at times over the last two seasons, while youngster Morgan Rielly plays with veteran free agent addition Stephane Robidas.
Q – from “Byfuglien Ate Me… - What do you think the hold up is on moving Reimer and Franson?
Salary arbitration, pure and simple. Franson’s hearing is scheduled for July 21, Reimer’s on July 28. Once an agreement or award is reached, things should either solidify or start moving on both fronts. If the Leafs get an acceptable salary amount with Franson, they will likely keep the 26-year-old, but if he gets north of $3 Million from the arbitrator, Toronto make look to trade the blueliner and recoup some missing draft picks or get a forward in return.
Reimer made under $2 Million on his recently expired contract. If his salary is not in line with most NHL quality backup goalies, Toronto could walk away from the award(making him an unrestricted free agent), opting to sign a veteran like Tomas Vokoun or Martin Brodeur to backup Jonathan Bernier.
Q - …@eli362 asks - Do Santorelli, Frattin, Holland, Petri Kontiola all make the team as regular players?
A – Short Answer…..yes. Holland and Kontiola are projected to be third and fourth line centers, while Santorelli and Frattin could play a more offensive role on the second line with Lupul and Kadri or in the bottom six, which will get more responsibilities and ice time this season.
Q - @Lummis83 asks - With it looking as though the writing is on the wall for Franson, do you think a Marlie or an acquisition fills the spot?
A – The writing will be on the wall for Franson depending on whether the Leafs can get a contract signed with him or the arbitration award is reasonable. With Phaneuf being a left-hand who prefers the right side and right-hand shots Stephane Robidas and Roman Polak added, Franson could be expendable, but they will only move him if they think Petter Granberg is ready next season. The only defenseman that stands out right now on the open market is Stouffville, ON native Michael Del Zotto, but there have been no indicators that the Leafs are actively looking at signing him.
Thanks for your questions.
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