Word from Nick Kypreos, one of the NHL's more connected Insiders, is that the Maple Leafs are shopping Dion Phaneuf to the Western Conference. And in addition, they may be forced to retain money in the deal because GMs only see him as a 5-6M dollar player. With a player like that apparently on the market the weeks leading up to the NHL Draft are sure to be fun.
One has to believe that the Edmonton Oilers are included in the group of Western Conference teams that the Leafs have contacted. Phaneuf is exactly the kind of player that MacTavish is on record saying that he wants. He's a high-end defender in the prime years of his career who can instantly walk on to the top pairing of the Oilers. He's physical, capable of putting up 40+ points, and is no stranger to heavy defensive zone work.
I've always been of the mind that the Edmonton born Phaneuf is more than a bit overrated, and especially at the 7M for 7 years that is set to kick in this summer. However, if the reports that the Leafs may be willing to retain 1M are true then that may be the right price point. In fact the Oilers have an unofficial individual Cap of 6M for players based on the idea that no one should make more than Taylor Hall.
Phaneuf under Carlyle has had his Corsi% implode (40.8% this past season), but under Wilson it was halfway decent (47.2% in 2010-2011, Wilson's last full season) which MIGHT suggest that his struggles have more to do with his coach than anything else. Naturally that is what the Oilers (or any other team) would be hoping for if they traded for him.
I imagine the Leafs would start their discussion with the Oilers at the 3rd Overall pick and it may be tempting for Edmonton to make a deal like that, but this is a Cap world and money in vs money out has to at least be close. Although I think the 3rd Overall pick + Sam Gagner would be an overpayment from Edmonton's side because the deal would rob the Oil of their 2C and their 2C of tomorrow. Not to mention the fact that the Leafs are apparently initiating this deal so they're dealing from a position of perceived weakness here.
That said, would Phaneuf for Sam Gagner, Jeff Petry, and the 2015 1st be more appropriate?
Or perhaps Gagner, Klefbom, and the 2015 2nd rounder?
I know Leaf fans might not be happy with those offers, but at least its better than hearing that Yakupov couldnt get James Reimer...
If the reports are accurate then the Oilers have to at least find out what the asking price is. They have to be interested. I know I am.
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