Well, number 1 is easy ...after that there's an argument to be made for any of the other 3 guys. But, yeah - that's how I'd rank them today.

Give me a full season of play from Franson and Gardiner and I'd hope they'd jump ahead of Gunnarson.
- The Law

I like the pairings personally, a healthy gunnar back beside dion, and gardiner and franson on pairing 2. Let training camp sort out 5 & 6.

Am I the only one who realizes they don't have to be under the cap until the season begins? They can sign Kadri, Franson and Fraser and figure out the cap situation later. Maybe Nonis even has some trade talks on the go that would see us move out multiple defencemen for something else.

Kadri will be signed. Franson will be signed. Fraser will be signed. Will they all start the season as Leafs? Maybe not..

4M for Franson?
- Colin Dambrauskas

The reality is that for what Franson brings to the team, he's probably worth it. Perhaps we can get away with a little less than that, but to be honest, if Liles can get a deal for 3.7 then surely from what we've seen of Cody, he'll get 4.

I say 4m per for 3 years

4M for Franson?
- Colin Dambrauskas

I honestly think he wants $5M... that's the hold up. 4yrs, 20 Mill is what he's after I think

Because that's how trade happens:

1) Promote player "A" to another team's thread

2) Other team's fans get interested and start talking about it

3) A rumour site says it heard somewhere that player "A" might get traded to the other team.

4) NHL GM of other team notices the rumors and thinks about it.
- Scabeh

You should copyright this before somebody steals it and writes a book.

Because that's how trade happens:

1) Promote player "A" to another team's thread

2) Other team's fans get interested and start talking about it

3) A rumour site says it heard somewhere that player "A" might get traded to the other team.

4) NHL GM of other team notices the rumors and thinks about it.
- Scabeh

preeeeeeeeetty sure Holmgren only considered the Schenn for JVR deal because of HB...just saying.

Am I the only one who realizes they don't have to be under the cap until the season begins? They can sign Kadri, Franson and Fraser and figure out the cap situation later. Maybe Nonis even has some trade talks on the go that would see us move out multiple defencemen for something else.

Kadri will be signed. Franson will be signed. Fraser will be signed. Will they all start the season as Leafs? Maybe not..
- Njuice

You're not the only one.

I like the pairings personally, a healthy gunnar back beside dion, and gardiner and franson on pairing 2. Let training camp sort out 5 & 6.
- mykokes

That was pretty much my line of thinking.

I like Frazer, but not enough to put up with this crap, he got a good +/- on a 3rd pairing in a shortened season.

I think goaltending will be good enough that we can afford to let organizational depth fill in the cracks

takes a hit to get the puck out and create and odd-man rush for Grabo? Is this supposed to be a negative clip or are you proving how valuable he is?
- Big_Lightnin

Not too sure either.

preeeeeeeeetty sure Holmgren only considered the Schenn for JVR deal because of HB...just saying.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Are you nuts? HB people said the Leafs needed to give up a first with Schenn to get JVR, remember? Just like we were supposed to give up a 1st, Frattin and Scrivens for Bernier.

This guy knows the Marlies play in Toronto, right?
- PatC80

I meant in terms of travel schedule. If its SOOO crazy for me to suggest this, why did he refuse to go for a look with the Leafs last season?

The reality is that for what Franson brings to the team, he's probably worth it. Perhaps we can get away with a little less than that, but to be honest, if Liles can get a deal for 3.7 then surely from what we've seen of Cody, he'll get 4.

I say 4m per for 3 years
- AngryWhiteMale

I certainly hope not! Dont get me wrong, good solid young defenseman who can score...but, he'll get closer to what Gunnar got.

Am I the only one who realizes they don't have to be under the cap until the season begins? They can sign Kadri, Franson and Fraser and figure out the cap situation later. Maybe Nonis even has some trade talks on the go that would see us move out multiple defencemen for something else.

Kadri will be signed. Franson will be signed. Fraser will be signed. Will they all start the season as Leafs? Maybe not..
- Njuice

I think it's more a matter of not putting yourself into an obvious corner like some of these teams have by overshooting

Other teams can deal with them from a position of strength. I don't think Nonis wants that

Crazy to think of how long Kuli's been around.

I really don't expect him to be resigned after next season, which would leave him where? at 6 seasons?
- AngryWhiteMale

5 seasons, going on 6 next year. Weird how nobody has survived it. Also he, Reimer and Holzer are the longest players in the Leafs system with Komarov gone...perhaps for good.

I like the pairings personally, a healthy gunnar back beside dion, and gardiner and franson on pairing 2. Let training camp sort out 5 & 6.
- mykokes

pretty simple.

4M for Franson?
- Colin Dambrauskas

If the leafs werent so tight against the cap, he should get 4 x 5 years or something like that. Easily worth 4 imo

I keep seeing people saying Ranger is playing... isn't he only willing to play for the Marlies to stay close to home?
- markmark

that was last year. he signed with Leafs last week. NHL 1-way contract.

I certainly hope not! Dont get me wrong, good solid young defenseman who can score...but, he'll get closer to what Gunnar got.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Nope.

Franson's point shot is honestly more effective than Dion's. Anyone who watches this team's PP knows Dion can't hit the bloody net, and gets points by shuffling the puck off to the likes of Phil

Well, number 1 is easy ...after that there's an argument to be made for any of the other 3 guys. But, yeah - that's how I'd rank them today.

Give me a full season of play from Franson and Gardiner and I'd hope they'd jump ahead of Gunnarson.
- The Law

I would have Gunnar at #4 on that list based on last season and 7 playoff games, but admittedly it was a shortened season and only 1 series. This year will be the true test.

The Law's Leaf D rankings:

1- Dion
2- Gunnar
3- Gardiner
4- Franson

really?
- 1979AD

pretty much. swap Gardiner and Franson and those are Carlyle's top 4 also

I like the pairings personally, a healthy gunnar back beside dion, and gardiner and franson on pairing 2. Let training camp sort out 5 & 6.
- mykokes

Yeah, worth a look for sure - although that pair still worries me a bit. Split them up and give them each a good stay at home guy is another option.

that was last year. he signed with Leafs last week. NHL 1-way contract.
- Big_Lightnin

only money has nothing to do with where he can play

5 seasons, going on 6 next year. Weird how nobody has survived it. Also he, Reimer and Holzer are the longest players in the Leafs system with Komarov gone...perhaps for good.
- AdamFrench

I'm really pulling for Reimer to emerge as the legit no. 1 for us this year.

We can turn around and flip Bernier off for a bunch of picks/prospects and just load up the system

Nope.

Franson's point shot is honestly more effective than Dion's. Anyone who watches this team's PP knows Dion can't hit the bloody net, and gets points by shuffling the puck off to the likes of Phil
- AngryWhiteMale

That's fine...but Dion is a much more well rounded defenseman than is Franson, and thats saying something for me.

Franson is an offensive guy who is learning to play with an edge, but defensively...didnt care for him all that much. Hes improved, but not to the likes of 4M per, imo.

Cookie monster mad!

Cookie monster break things!
- AngryWhiteMale

James smash arghhh