There's no way Boston would risk him instead of Seids not a chance.
- aminnes

Seidenberg is better than Phaneuf? Despite his criticisms I'd have to say no. DS is good, very reliable, but Phaneuf is a bigger presence on the ice.

Try him at wing. He'de be a killer at forward.
- aminnes

No.

Yes, I agree. Most teams. But not all.
- Dirte

Seabrook good. Pahnoof bad.

Seidenberg is better than Phaneuf? Despite his criticisms I'd have to say no. DS is good, very reliable, but Phaneuf is a bigger presence on the ice.
- A_Tree

You really think they'de risk having him out there in key situations, like the leafs do?

You just saw Dion as a top pair guy man, you just saw what he does. Accept it. The leafs haven't had a top d man in decades.
- aminnes

Give me a break.

You remind me of my buddy, he begrudges a player and thereafter scrutinizes everything he does tenfold.

You really think they'de risk having him out there in key situations, like the leafs do?
- aminnes

How is it a risk?

Actually I should say, everyone has some level of risk. His is very low compared to probably 3/4 of those in his category.

On our team? He's likely the lowest risk guy there (arguably, at least).

Yes, I agree. Most teams. But not all.
- Dirte

depends what your looking for...#1 PP he would be there on every team...there might be an exception...Phaneuf will be a leaf next year and for a few years to come I believe.

Toronto hasn't had a number 1 defensemen in a long time. Dion comes in very hyped, accept of course in Calgary, where they watched his game get worse each year post lockout as the new rules exposed his foot speed and positional issues. He comes to a horrid team with no good d men and of course is elevated. If he got moved to say, the Kings, or some true contender, his defensive shortcomings would not allow the ice time. He came to a crap team! Now that there good, everyone is noticing how he really isn't. If he could be had for 4-5 mill, and play mostly weaker lines and powerplay then that's cool. But any of you who think he's just gonna come out of this and be amazing next year and lead the LEafs all that way your absolutely nuts. He is what he is. His captaincy was given to him by a dumb coach who never should have put that type of pressure on him.

Give me a break.

You remind me of my buddy, he begrudges a player and thereafter scrutinizes everything he does tenfold.
- A_Tree

Look at the last 40 years. They haven't. Has nothing to do with dion.

How is it a risk?

Actually I should say, everyone has some level of risk. His is very low compared to probably 3/4 of those in his category.

On our team? He's likely the lowest risk guy there (arguably, at least).
- A_Tree

It's a risk because Phaneuf is at the other teams blue line lying on his back and the puck and the other team are breaking in on a 3 on 1...that's what the risk is. Happens way more than it should - you didn't see the Captain Lidstrom running guys and missing the puck and the (frank)ing player - that's how you play D...keep it simple and not let your (frank)ing manhood get in the way.

Seabrook good. Pahnoof bad.
- JVR2112

He'd be #1 in Philly though

He'd be #1 in Philly though
- Garnie

Exactly, on a crap team he's the best guy. I want the Leafs to win the damn thing. I really do, and I actually like Phaneuf. He does some good things, and I don't blame him for his inflated salary and role on the team. But the team winning is the number one thing.

It's a risk because Phaneuf is at the other teams blue line lying on his back and the puck and the other team are breaking in on a 3 on 1...that's what the risk is. Happens way more than it should - you didn't see the Captain Lidstrom running guys and missing the puck and the (frank)ing player - that's how you play D...keep it simple and not let your (frank)ing manhood get in the way.
- Garnie

When you compare Phaneuf to lindstrom than you'll always be disappointed.

Listen. He's a man amongst boys (almost literally) on the leafs. The real issue is we don't have a true #2 to play along side him.

When you compare Phaneuf to lindstrom than you'll always be disappointed.

Listen. He's a man amongst boys (almost literally) on the leafs. The real issue is we don't have a true #2 to play along side him.
- A_Tree

He is the number 2. If he's lucky.

He is the number 2. If he's lucky.
- aminnes

It doesn't matter really.

The other thing that is easy to ignore is the quality of a D's playing partner. Dion has had the benefit of playing with the likes of a fresh Aulie, Kostka,Holzer,.... When Gunnarson ranks as his most NHL capable partner, that's nowhere close to many teams 1-2 pairings. The Leafs have been playing the opposition's top lines with what would be a 2-6 pairing on most teams for much of Phaneuf's time as a Leaf.

The other thing that is easy to ignore is the quality of a D's playing partner. Dion has had the benefit of playing with the likes of a fresh Aulie, Kostka,Holzer,.... When Gunnarson ranks as his most NHL capable partner, that's nowhere close to many teams 1-2 pairings. The Leafs have been playing the opposition's top lines with what would be a 2-6 pairing on most teams for much of Phaneuf's time as a Leaf.
- magmoo

Yes this is true. If they can bring in a guy even with Dions big money, then I'm cool with that, I'm unsure if he'de take less when he's up for renewal though if that's what it takes to bring in a another guy.

The other thing that is easy to ignore is the quality of a D's playing partner. Dion has had the benefit of playing with the likes of a fresh Aulie, Kostka,Holzer,.... When Gunnarson ranks as his most NHL capable partner, that's nowhere close to many teams 1-2 pairings. The Leafs have been playing the opposition's top lines with what would be a 2-6 pairing on most teams for much of Phaneuf's time as a Leaf.
- magmoo

This is the truth.

This is the truth.
- A_Tree

trade em!!! Bring in a defensive defenseman with a brain and pair him with Gardiner..save bucks and fan stress...Phaneuf is stunned!!!!

You just saw Dion as a top pair guy man, you just saw what he does. Accept it. The leafs haven't had a top d man in decades.
- aminnes

Kaberle and McCabe were one of the top pairings in the league for a stint. McCabe was 4th in Norris voting in 03/04.

He's young does everyone forget how long it takes for dmen to come to true form?
- Yeti1181

totally agreed we would be in deep poop w/o him

mez & grossman being injury riddled made this a tough situation

trade em!!! Bring in a defensive defenseman with a brain and pair him with Gardiner..save bucks and fan stress...Phaneuf is stunned!!!!
- Garnie

I love Gardiner, but would likely have an aneurysm if I had to watch him matched against top lines for a full season next year. He still has much to learn.

Philly's pretty solid up top...Need a #1 or 2 dman to get the show on the road...I'm sure they'll add another top 6 forward as well...
- Flyfreaky

or at least a top 4 guy mez & grossman are too injury prone
if hartnell can get to 60 points again another forward wouldn't be such a need

The flyers?
- Yeti1181

ouch

trade em!!! Bring in a defensive defenseman with a brain and pair him with Gardiner..save bucks and fan stress...Phaneuf is stunned!!!!
- Garnie