yes.

you may question whether or not he's a #1 dman, but he is easily top pairing on the majority of teams. Contract becomes less of an issue with each passing year.
- Schenn-Sational!

The Majority? I'm not sure I can name 10. 2nd pair at least 28 teams though.

Nah, he's a top pair on poop teams.... No good team could be good with him on the top pair, even for a simple reason of the fact he can't handle more than 20-22 mins per game...
- aminnes

He can handle 22+, he just shouldn't be counted on to be a defensive stalwart covering both sides of the ice.

He's miscast as a defense-first guy in Toronto, when he's always been an offensive player.

I think there are maybe 3 teams in the league he wouldn't be a top pairing guy.

Trade freeze ends midnight the day the cup is awarded.
- H8terade

there is only a trade freeze during christmas

I've read worse. I see your point. With some shrewd cap management, I can see Dion and Justin Schultz as your 2nd pairing. But who plays with Nurse?
- Phenom

The future of our defence is Nurse and Klefbom.

The future of our defence is Nurse and Klefbom.
- Jeropotato

They look like two fine young defenceman.

He can handle 22+, he just shouldn't be counted on to be a defensive stalwart covering both sides of the ice.

He's miscast as a defense-first guy in Toronto, when he's always been an offensive player.

I think there are maybe 3 teams in the league he wouldn't be a top pairing guy.
- Schenn-Sational!

Very much disagree. He has proven he can't handle top pair minutes and done so for a number of years now. I agree he should be more offensive focused, but to be a top pair guy you still have to be able to play d at a top level. He just simply isn't as good as people wish he was. 2nd pairing guy with a little bit of offensive flair and PP time. 5 million dollar defensemen...

He can handle 22+, he just shouldn't be counted on to be a defensive stalwart covering both sides of the ice.

He's miscast as a defense-first guy in Toronto, when he's always been an offensive player.

I think there are maybe 3 teams in the league he wouldn't be a top pairing guy.
- Schenn-Sational!

Nashville, Minnesota,San Jose, New York, Anaheim, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Montreal, Washington, St.Louis, calgary, Jets, Ottawa.....


He could be a top pair on bad defences like edmonton, Buffalo, Colorado, toronto for sure....

If he could play with Hamhuis in Vancouver, or Boychuck on the Island he wouldnt out of place, and those are decent enough squads.

They look like two fine young defenceman.
- BetterCallSaul

Young is the problem

The future of our defence is Nurse and Klefbom.
- Jeropotato

Who would be 3rd pairing in that scenario? Ference and Marincin? Provided Ference isn't gone in a couple years.

Nice job pillar

Young is the problem
- Jeropotato

Part of the reason I'm on the Hanifin side of the line in the sand. I get the feeling Toronto won't take him, but I'd like them to have experienced defencemen and young forwards in the top six.

Perfect world, though.

Nashville, Minnesota,San Jose, New York, Anaheim, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Montreal, Washington, St.Louis, calgary, Jets, Ottawa.....


He could be a top pair on bad defences like edmonton, Buffalo, Colorado, toronto for sure....

If he could play with Hamhuis in Vancouver, or Boychuck on the Island he wouldnt out of place, and those are decent enough squads.
- Jeropotato

If he ends up going out west, I can see Colorado and Dallas as decent destinations. Not sure San Jose can do it cap-wise.

wow, some sensitive fans here. If people don't agree with Leafs "this is our year" talk they are automatically wrong. Lets just agree to disagree and see what happens with super coach

Nice job pillar
- Lee Denault

still tied?

wow, some sensitive fans here. If people don't agree with Leafs "this is our year" talk they are automatically wrong. Lets just agree to disagree and see what happens with super coach
- Greene19

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=51921

Mikko rantanen.





That is all.

Nashville, Minnesota,San Jose, New York, Anaheim, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Montreal, Washington, St.Louis, calgary, Jets, Ottawa.....


He could be a top pair on bad defences like edmonton, Buffalo, Colorado, toronto for sure....

If he could play with Hamhuis in Vancouver, or Boychuck on the Island he wouldnt out of place, and those are decent enough squads.
- Jeropotato

I'll give you Nashville and Chicago...

In St Louis or Montreal he could play on the top pairing or 2nd pairing.






Ottawa though? Seriously?

wow, some sensitive fans here. If people don't agree with Leafs "this is our year" talk they are automatically wrong. Lets just agree to disagree and see what happens with super coach
- Greene19

who the h e double hockey sticks said this is our year?
are you a space cadet?

Mikko rantanen.





That is all.
- RileyHaze

Yes. If we acquire the 10th overall pick and Barzal is off the board.

Who would be 3rd pairing in that scenario? Ference and Marincin? Provided Ference isn't gone in a couple years.
- Phenom

When? In the future? God, I dont know. Faynes not bad. Schultz will be a good guy on a deep blueline (4 or 5 w/PP time), Maricin can play bottom 3 as well with limited success.....we have some decent prospects in Gernat, Simpson, Davidson, Musil, Legallia...one of them might make it.....honestly I think a year or 2 down the road Nugent Hopkins or Draisaitl will be dealt for a top 3 D-Man that fits the age range.For right now I just want 2 decent veterans that will happilly (frank) off in 3 years.

Very much disagree. He has proven he can't handle top pair minutes and done so for a number of years now. I agree he should be more offensive focused, but to be a top pair guy you still have to be able to play d at a top level. He just simply isn't as good as people wish he was. 2nd pairing guy with a little bit of offensive flair and PP time. 5 million dollar defensemen...
- aminnes

5M defensemen are the MacDonald/Petry type players.

keep in mind this is many years after Kaberle got 4.25.

I'll give you Nashville and Chicago...

In St Louis or Montreal he could play on the top pairing or 2nd pairing.






Ottawa though? Seriously?
- Schenn-Sational!

Yes seriously. Not saying Methot is better than Dion...but is Dion a better partner for Karrlson? dion has that goofy skillset where he needs a specific partner to him. Put dion with Karrlson or subban and you have a disaster on your hands.

And Dion doesnt bump squeeze out Pietrangelo, Shattenkirk or Jaybo in St.Louis, Suter or Brodin in Minni, Vlasic or Burns (or Braun for that matter) in San Jose, ...I just dont see how he upgrades those teams top pair.

5M defensemen are the MacDonald/Petry type players.

keep in mind this is many years after Kaberle got 4.25.
- Schenn-Sational!

He was handed top 5 in the league money at the time, and remains in the top 10 for d men. He is nowhere near the top ten.... MacD is overpaid, but not much worse than Dion. Petry again is overpaid, but not by 2 million...

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=51921
- A_Tree

Nice...