Fallout from the Jets re-signing Dustin Byfuglien, potential trade destinations for Patrick Marleau and updates on the Rangers, Canucks and Predators in your NHL rumor mill.
Byfuglien’s re-signing with Jets could affect trade market.
Dustin Byfuglien’s new contract with the Jets could spell the end of Andrew Ladd’s tenure in Winnipeg.
SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes the Jets re-signing Dustin Byfuglien sends the right message to Winnipeg fans that the club is willing to invest in retaining their best players. He also believes the Jets will trade left wing and captain Andrew Ladd (pictured left) by the trade deadline, suggesting one expensive contract for a player who turns 31 later this year is enough.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun believes the Byfuglien signing eases pressure upon Jets management to re-sign Ladd, adding no one will criticize them for trading their captain when they got Byfuglien re-signed. He notes several teams, including the Los Angeles Kings, had interest in the big blueliner and must now look elsewhere in the trade market for help. Finally, the signing raises questions about the status of contract talks with RFA defenseman Jacob Trouba. LeBrun wonders if the Jets might listen a little more attentively to trade offers for Trouba.
SI.COM: Allan Muir also examines the ripple effect of the Byfuglien signing. He also believes Ladd is likely to hit the trade block for a draft pick plus a prospect who can join the Jets’ lineup next season. He thinks this move takes the Jets out of the Travis Hamonic sweepstakes, plus it could improve the trade value of New York Rangers blueliner Keith Yandle and Vancouver Canucks rearguard Dan Hamhuis.
USA TODAY: Jimmy Hascup also weighs in on the Byfuglien signing. Like the others, he too believes Ladd is likely a goner at the trade deadline, Yandle’s nd Hamhuis’ trade value will increase, and that this raises uncertainty over Trouba’s future with the Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfuglien’s new deal undoubtedly changes things in the trade market. It now seems increasingly likely Ladd will be traded, though there’s some reports claiming the two sides could still hammer out a deal. I think talks will continue for another couple of weeks, but if there’s no deal before month’s end, Ladd could be shipped out for the best offer. With Byfuglien off the market, the value of Yandle and Hamhuis should improve. Trouba’s situation will also be interesting, considering a report earlier this season claiming he was seeking an eight-year, $56 million extension. Because of his RFA status, the Jets aren’t in a rush to move him. If need be, they could wait until the June draft weekend to seriously entertain offers.
Possible destinations for Marleau.
CSN BAY AREA: If the San Jose Sharks and Patrick Marleau agree to part ways (Marleau has a full no-movement clause), Kevin Kurz lists the Anaheim Ducks, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and New York Rangers among potential destinations. Kurz ultimately believes Marleau won’t be dealt at the deadline. He cites Marleau’s age (36) and salary ($6.6 million annual cap hit through next season) as factors that could keep him in San Jose.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks and Rangers are believed on Marleau’s three-team list of preferred trade destinations, but I don’t see the Sharks shipping him to a California rival, while the Rangers can’t afford to take on his salary for next season. I don’t see the Blues or Predators pursuing an ageing, expensive winger. I expect Marleau will finish this season with the Sharks.
Updates on the Rangers, Canucks and Predators.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks suggests a recent concussion suffered by Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh could have an effect upon Keith Yandle’s availability near the trade deadline. If McDonagh is sidelined long term, it would be folly for the Rangers to trade Yandle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If McDonagh’s sidelined long term, Yandle won’t be available in the trade market.
THE TENNESSEAN: Responding to a reader’s question about the Nashville Predators pursuing a scorer at the trade deadline, Adam Vingan points out GM David Poile recently told ESPN he’ll be scouring the trade market in search of a offensive boost. Vingan suggests Columbus Blue Jackets winger Scott Hartnell as the type of winger who can help the Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interesting suggestion by Vingan, who took pains to point out he’s suggesting Hartnell or a player like him could help the Predators. Recent speculation suggests the Blue Jackets could be willing to part with Hartnell, but there’s no speculation claiming the Preds are pursuing him.
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata acknowledges the trade rumors swirling about him, acknowledging there’s not much he can do about it. Vrbata could bolster the offense of a playoff-contending team.
The bigger problem with Marleau appears to be that his production in recent games is not there. Unless he gets hot again, hard to understand why anyone would want him.
On McDonagh, amazed he didn’t return to the game after the jab he took from Simmonds, Even more amazed now there is talk of it being long term. Man, talk about a glass jaw!
In past years the diagnosis following that incident would he been “he got his bell rung” and the player would be back in short order. Now, with the multi-million dollar salaries and agents hovering like mother hens, they’re out long term. Sometimes it’s just hard to understand the current pro athlete when you’re a fan forking over a healthy % of your income to keep them in riches. In this morning’s Ottawa Sun, Brennan writes that Michalek, who left Jan 22 with a broken finger, could resume skating soon. Resume skating?? He has a broken finger – not a foot – so what’s he been doing for the past 18 days? Sitting around with his thumb up his butt? Is there something in the NHLPA that precludes ANY skating when a player is on the IR until the injury in question is healed?
Klien has a broken thumb on the rangers…missed 1 game, scored a goal last night…
Then he’s a throwback to the days when players “played through” such injuries. I recall the story back in the days when teams in the original 6 traveled by train and on a trip to Chicago in the playoffs, Doug Harvey cut the cast off Bernie Geoffrion’s arm so he could play the next game.
You don’t skate with a broken finger because it can be difficult to impossible to hold a hockey stick. You need your hands for that. Also, not all breaks are made equal. Some you can wrap up and play with, others doing so would risk a permanent deformity to the finger/hand and then that player would be retiring.
For the Simmons/McDonough thing, there’s a reason that they call it a sucker punch. And “getting his bell rung” is the dumbass thing people said about concussions before they knew what concussions were. People really aren’t any less tough these days, they’re just less stupid and, of course, they get lots of “advice” from agents, GMs, fans, etc. that probably makes them more conscious of the problem of having a concussion.
Imagine it like the teams seem to. You’re making an investment in a person and you want that person to remain as healthy as possible. If that means sitting out a few games because “you got your bell rung” then to all of those concerned, so be it.
There are a couple of Player’s Tribune articles that talk about when guys were playing while concussed that you might want to check out.
McDonagh cross checks Simmonds in the head. Simmonds, in turn, punches him in the face with his glove on. And that’s a sucker punch? Please.
“You don’t skate with a broken finger because it can be difficult to impossible to hold a hockey stick.”
Baloney! Who says they have to skate with a stick? The idea is to keep the legs and wind up to snuff – not spend an extra 3/4 days when proclaimed “healed” in order to do just that.
MJS- How can you can the Simmons hit on MCdonagh a sucker pucker punch when McDonagh used the BUTT end of his stick to hit Simmons in the Face Seconds before. McDonagh was looking right at him and maybe its just me, but if I Stick a Man in the face and I’m looking right at him I am expecting him to fight back. This is why THE NHL did not discipline Simmons any further which basically says the refs got it wrong too. McDonagh should have been called for his cowardly stick work. Anyone who has played Hockey knows that isn’t necessary.
I’m guessing they’re are saying he’ll return to skating with the team, not just skating
he wasn’t expecting to get punched in the face. anyone getting hit on the jaw can be concussed.
Ahh I have seen little girls hit harder then that … It’s pretty clear Ryan is softer than a soup sandwich
lol
Agreed! Lol. Man up Ryan! If Simmonds had been concussed on the play this conversation would be over.
If you have ever played hockey and been punched with a bare fist, you would know it does not take much to leave a mark. Can’t remember anyone ever questioning McDonough’s toughness – ever.
Marleau’s wingers at even strength are Nieto & Ward. That should almost tell you everything you need to know. Now he is getting his quality power play time & he still does have 15 goals & 32 points in 51 games. Good enough for the 23rd best LW spot in all 8 of the fantasy leagues I run.
Why Marleau hasn’t been put back at LW with Couture on the 2nd line is surprising but new coach new ideas.
These are my lines in SJ.
Hertl, Thornton, Pavelski.
Marleau, Couture, Ward.
Donskoi, Tierny, Wingels.
Nieto, Zubrus, Karlsson.
Spare Brown.
Worth noting that Ryan McDonagh played with a broken foot in last years playoffs…
Get rid of Vrbata, he’s been floating all year and the spot can go to Gaunce or Shinkaruk. At least those two will play as if their lives depended on it.
Since Willie removed Vrbata from the Sedin’s line late in the season last year he has essentially been a shadow of the player he was with them. Does this make sense to anyone else?
His choice of how to play Vrbata has significantly altered the value of Vrbata in trade now. Being a rebuilding team Benning should be dictating how these assets are deployed for future asset management.
Look at what Toronto is doing. Parenteau, Spalling, Grabner, etc are all getting solid quantity minutes, opportunity; Parenteau & Grabner are both playing in the top 6 currently as is Matthias, & in the case of Parenteau quality minutes as well, essentially being showcased to create value for the trade deadline.
For those of you that like to reference players like Parenteau that had bad stats in previous stops go look at their quantity & quality of minutes for an entire season in those stops. What you will see is a serous decline both in TOI/GP & PP TOI/GP. Opportunity; linemates, skill, quantity & quality minutes are essentially in order to generate points. Remove 1; Marleau’s new linemates, & #’s decline, remove several & points start drying up completely.
Good points Striker. PA basicly got his big contract because he played on Tavares’ wing and managed to rack up a lot of points (See Matt Molson). Were I a conspiracy theorist I would also wonder if third line guys playing in the top six isn’t geared towards a better draft pick in the summer 🙂
Loved AV’s comments before the Rangers game last night, and he’s right..had Simmonds sucker punched Crosby, it would have been a suspension. The fact that he broke/threw his stick is also an automatic 3 games in the rule book. What a joke this league is.
I wanted to see something for McDonaghs cross check to Simmonds head that started the mess.
Simmonds was hitting him what 10 seconds after he had the puck?
Nope, he was just hitting him legally. Trust me, it’s not fun getting cross checked in the head like that. Watch it again in slo mo. It’s pretty greasy. And yeah, it was hard. Watch his head.
Hitting him legally? As the puck was 50 feet away? LOL….I must get a pair of those rose colored glasses!!!!!
That basic altercation between Simmonds & McDonaugh happens at least a dozen times a game. McDonaugh cross checked Simmonds. Not hard but it was a cross check none the less. What did McDonaugh expect to happen. He was looking right at Simmonds did he expect Simmonds to let it go unchallenged?
Pushing, shoving, soft crosschecking, even hard to brutal crosschecking & fists being throw happen at the completion of virtually every play where there is contact along the boards or in front of the net after the whistle. Hell Lucic 2 weeks ago took a swing at an unsuspecting player in a scrum in front of the net & nailed the linesman hard popping his head back. The consequence was nothing. Now he didn’t mean to hit the official but he did mean to hit a player who wouldn’t have been able to defend himself & would have been unaware.
Now I may not agree with you as it relates to this particular situation I do agree with you that the way the NHL punishes people is a total joke. No consistency, no continuity, no standards, Mickey mouse & frankly embarrassing for a sport that wishes to be recognized as 1 of the top professional sports leagues in the world.
This whole intimidation thing at this level is a joke. Virtually no 1 can be intimidated by the time they reach the NHL. It’s worse coming up through the ranks.
I believe the NHL should start refereeing more like football, once whistle is blown no altercation or else all players that started it gets a penalty, if they would be consistent with this, the none sense after the whistles would stop once and for all, there are so many cheap shots after whistles especially in playoffs its disgraceful. Let the players play during play but stop the crap after the whistle
I fully agree. Allowing this crap after the whistle slows down the game & is a complete waste of time.
Byfuglien, Myers and Trouba all play right side, but interesting the jets last game they had Buff and Trouba playing together for some shifts. If Trouba wants 8yrs 56m, he might be moved at the draft like Hamilton, otherwise he could be an offer sheet candidate. If he wants out, remember Hamilton was offered similar deal from the bruins that he signed with Calgary.
Just my own wish list, I wish Chara was the number 1 dman available for the trade deadline. I know striker agree with me.
Chara in Florida for a run…would be interesting… or Chara as a Duck.
Ducks have all those young D…
I second that as well. I think if Chara’s remaining contract/amount was more in line with his production and decline in play then I think he could absolutely be coveted by many teams but unless Sweeney is prepared to take some flack from fans for moving a Captain, package Chara with another asset and/or eat some salary then I think at this point he’s here for the remainder of the contract. Once he’s gone the “C” will go to Bergeron.
I wonder if it’s possible that Trouba wants out of Winnipeg and his contracts demands are a way of facilitating that? If the rumors are true he’s asking for 40% more than his actual value.
And bravo Winnipeg. Yes, Byfuglien has been on the jets team as they’ve missed the playoffs however he is not the reason they have such little fire power up front and the worst goaltending in modern history. And if you take him away from the back end you’re creating a huge hole that would be difficult to fill. Hey, if a player can do what he does and likes Winnipeg, keep him. You’re not going to find many like that.
Something interesting just poped on twitter….maybe Buff signing his contract uesterday has stirred the pot more than we thought
this is what Bob Mackenzie just tweeted
Hearing lots of Dion Phaneuf trade chatter. Starting to think he could actually be dealt before the deadline.
Sorry, you beat me to it. Got sidetracked at work and didn’t refresh before I push the submit button.
If it happens it has been a total case of stealth management by Lou. After all the accolades Phaneuf has been given by management and the coach this year it would be a huge story…unlike last year when everyone had his bags packed by now.
9 player deal, Phanuef to Sens!!! Sportsnet has reported.
BAHAHAHAHJAHAHA! NO SALARY RETAINED
LOOOOUUUUU!
yup, and also not being the captain on the Sens and not having microphones in his face after every game just might have another positive effect on his game. Also this might be a positive more for Karlsson as well.
I dont mind the deal for either team….just chuckling at all the knuckle heads again
Compied this out of a story on TSN.ca
Along with Phaneuf, the Leafs send forwards Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and defence prospect Cody Donaghey to the Senators in exchange for defenceman Jared Cowen, forwards Colin Greening, Milan Michalek and Tobias Lindberg as well as Ottawa’s second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.
@ George,
And that original six team might have also been sharing the team with another original six team (quite common with Leafs and Habs). The cast might have been removed to allow him to participate in one of the brawls that happened on the train every once in a while…
LOL. Could be. But Geoffrion did play in that next game although the Hawks won (1960 I believe)
Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie has tweeted “Hearing lots of Dion Phaneuf trade chatter. Starting to think he could actually be dealt before the deadline.”
Bruce Garriock @SunGarrioch responded “There’s been talk #Sens are among teams that have shown interest. His contract runs through 2020-21 though.”
If they could fit him in salary-wise, I’d love to see Phaneuf on a second-pairing with the Sens. But that just isn’t going to happen. Has there EVER been a trade between the Leafs and Sens? And what would Lamoriello want in return?
Just happened!
it happened George and ott got rid of there throwaways lol
holy car
meant to say holy crap
Dion just got traded to Ottawa in a 9 player trade, apparently no salary was retained
Leafs just traded with Ottawa: Phaneuf, Frattin, Bailey, Rupert, Donaghey for Cowen, Greening, Michalek, Lindberg, and 2nd round pick next year. Seriously…
phaneuf to Ottawa for cowen,michalek,greening?? talk about doing ott a favor lol well we didn’t have to hold salary and got a 2nd and lindberg out of the deal
Thought the Leafs were going to hold half his salary BB? What happened another guy you said couldnt get traded 2 days ago moves with no salary held. Throw this one on the Schenn is an untradable plug and Tinordi for Rychel pile?
lol I guess they didn’t get the 1st and b prospect you guaranteed either shticky both wrong on this one!
Show me wher I said that BB?
lol quit lying shticky
think Schticky has you on this one bear
go look back a couple of months taz he said a 1st and a b prospect! lol I admit I said retained salary but its not like we got anything in return
Ehh, they didn’t officially hold salary but the Sens have been trying to get rid of Greening for a couple of years now and were rumoured to want to move Cowan to dump his salary as well. They sent some bad contracts and a second for Dion.
Now if Toronto can turn Cowan around they made out like gangbusters.
I agree if Cowan some how works out (not holding my breath but..) this could be lopsided, but even if he dosent buy Cowen oit bury Greening and possibly move Michalek holding abit of salary and poof Phaneufs contract is gone got a second and a prospect wit no real cap implications other than a coiple few million bucks…..instead of 35 million more dollars. Cant say this is a bad deal for either team really. Few years down the road the Sens might not like it but today for both Id say win win. And if I was a bigger Sens fan Id be tickeled pink that my team went out and got a guy that will 1 is a bigger contract that will help for the next year or 2 possibly get this team in the playoffs. Which seems different then the past year or 2. (If the wheels dont fall off)
Who saw this happening?? Talk about a shocker of a deal!
Would be interesting in hearing George’s take on this one
Have to give him a bit to get over the shock. Although he did say he would like the move. So he should be happy.
ottawa gave up NOTHING from the team that won its last 2 games, got rid of Murray’s Mistakes in Greening and Cowen and the perpetually injured Michalek.
I agree George ott needed help on the 2nd pair phaneuf well overpaid is a 2nd pair guy
I have never been a Big fan Of Phaneuf but you cannot dislike this deal. Ottawa was desperate for some vet leadership to complement Ceci and with a pairing of karlsson and methot ahead of him there isn’t even remotely the amount of pressure put on phaneuf. Just keep it easy and steady phaneuf and it will be fine. The salary in and out is actually in ottawa’s favour. Phaneuf’ cap hit may be 7 mill but his actual salary is decreasing. Sens compiled salary for milo, Cowen and greening is over 10 mill. Milo is still a good player when not injured and it’s a wild guess on if Cowen ever pans out.
Lindberg looks like a player someday. That second could be good. But this is about Ottawa addressing current needs and wanting to win now and in the next 5 years. I think this is a move in the right direction. Fo both teams. Don’t know much about the other schlubbs coming over from Toronto but looks like shifting contracts to make room for new ones for Toronto.
Win-win for both teams. A bit of a gamble on both sides also.
Murray the man onc again.
Sends the right message about what this team wants to do
Now to sign Ladd in the off season for that cup leadership experience and to replace MacArthur.
Phaneuf on 2nd pairing and not being the captain will deff help him, and i could see phaneuf and karlsson on the 1st pp unit, both with good shots, and karlsson has the speed to make up for phaneuf’s mistakes.
Wow, good deal for the Sens. We needed change but I don’t like him going to a division rival, and for basically nothing.
I cant believe we didn’t have to hold salary but getting nothing in return I guess is why
BB they traded 33 million dollars in commited salary for 11 million dollars in committed salary and got a second rou d pick and a mid level prospect out of the deal, explain how cutting 22 million dollars off the cap =they got nothing?
sure it helps money wise but cmon that’s phaneuf and kessel trades that haven’t landed anything that will help on the ice and just a maybe in the future
This is the happiest day of my Leaf life !!!
Thank goodness!!!!!
Trade the Captain so the way is cleared to Name Stamkos the new Captain in the next deal !
Thats the way it had to happen !
Actually the leafs took on more salary with this trade that will not come off the books until after the 2017 season. Cowen, Michalek, and Greening contract combined are about 8.8mil.
true Kevjam but how many of those guys stay for more than a cup of coffee? Michalek straight to LTIR possibly flipped at the deadline for nothing and 2 guys who are much more easily bought out or trade for next to nothing next year. Far better than years of 7 mill.
I believe in Cowens case a buyout next year actually results in a negative cap hit. So a bonus cushion so to speak.
Now imagine Stamkos, Not coming…….How does that work out? YIKES!!!!!!
Lol seriously I dont want Stamkos! Stop with the Stamkos, Tampa is a beautiful place warm weather and such a great income tax structure I hear, he should sign there (so in 2 years we can make Taveres a very rich man) lol
So with in a year the Leafs have managed to trade Clarkson Kessel and Phaneuf and really only had to hold 1.25 mill in salary…so much for they will never get rid of all these nad contracts lol
“looook for the sil – ver lining ……” sing along with me Shticky ….
*joins in Georges sing-along*
19.1 mill a year in salary savings between Kessel Clarkson and Phaneuf in longterm deals, and currently 21.4 on LTIR ya cap sure has stopped rich teams from flexing financial might. lol
But as Button says, draft picks and prospects mean at least another 4 years – at the VERY least – of wandering in the wilderness with no real “core” players on the horizon. Ff that’s progress I’d sure like to know what you consider “stagnation.”
I dont necessarily buy what Button is selling, what was the alternative? This team has been constructed wrong from the get go amd pieced together like puzzles from different boxes. If it takes that long thats how long it takes, but Id suggest year in and uear out theNHL is getting to be a younger mans league and with good coaching structure and a game plan in place amd sticking to it it may not take as long as some other rebuilds in the past.
button is bang on with his assessment shticky we have forwards but after that terrible d with not much coming up and goaltending is up in the air!
And how did keeping Phaneuf help that terrible D and goaltending? If Phaneuf and his contract was sooo bad according to you what team is trading a good D or goalie for it? Same as Kessel big near you didnt do anything but slag on what a terrible person hockey playr and contract he was then say they didnt get enough of him in a trade…its nothing but strawman arguments with you. Guys so terrible they cant get moved then they get m8ved and you argue their value of the return
was to low. Again 2 days ago you said this guy couldnt be moved with out holding 3.5 million dollars for the next 6 years. To day hes gone totaly gone for a pick and a pprospect and a few guys that are generally meaning less in the long term. If it takes more than 1 year to “rebuild” what does ot matter about 3 guys who likely wont be around by this time next year? It gives the Leafs capspace and options to build D and het a goalie.
Bb look up the meaning of “straw man arguement” you were just calling the guy imoveable and saying he was only worth 3.5 mill a year. The Leafs moved him without holding any salary got a pick and a prospect and now you say they didnt get enough for him…its the very definition of strawman arguement. Same as Kessel cancer in the locker room dosent try degfensively horrible contract they will have to hold half…they tradehim only holding a mill getting a 1st and a prospect and you say thats not enough.
lol wake up shticky please wake up geez
K so what in your opinion should have been done? Hold 3.5 mill for 5 or 6 more years? Just keep Phaneuf and ride it out even with how terrible you say he is? How do either of those things help? Wake me up Big bear what am I missing? How would the big Leaf fan who didnt know that Liles wasnt traded for polak fix things? Should they have kept the cancer in the locker room who didnt try hard enough and continued to pay him 8 mill a year instead of trading him for what looks like is going to be a first round pick and a prospect? Is that how you rebuild a team?
lol your a joke
Im not the one who comes here and pretends Im something that I am obviously not. Thats a joke buddy.
Yes I am happy about this too, that means LA will be able to trade Brown this offseason as well.
Well being a Kings fan I could care less about the Leafs and Sens, but this Phaneuf trade is a little confusing.
I lost count on how many times Leaf fans on this site suggested Phaneuf was going to bring back a first and/or top prospects/young roster players. Instead all he brings back is a bunch of garbage salary dumps equalling $10 million.
now THAT’S a respective to which i can relate
perspective even
hahaha both!
I don’t recall anybody saying a 1st and a prospect for Dion. Maybe it was the same guy who kept saying what a valuable player Mike Richards was. First line centre on some teams you said
Ehhh I do recall that Richards thing (sorry King lol) and I do recall alot of Leaf fans saying if the Leafs were holding salary like some sugested 2 or 3 mill on top of taking bad contracts it would have to involve a first and a good prospect which os why the deal with the Kings and wings fell apart. No salary held a couple insignificant 1 year contracts came back and a second and a prospect seems right.
lol exactly king
Now if they can work some magic one more time and move Lupul…..
Offer him a cushy mngmnt/ scout job tell him to retire
“nothing in return ” lol
Nope he is the new Pacific divison scout and give him 4 mill a year to go watch the Ducks Kings and Sharks play all just a few hours from his fancy house in Califronia. That or spend your winters in Canada on a bus traveling with the Marlies.
They wanted to get rid of his contract, didn’t they?
Well they just did!
No matter which way you look at it…..the leaf haters are gonna hate
As opposed to the opinions of the Leafs lovers you mean? Is one opinion not as valid as the other?
I haven’t posted much this season, but after today’s beautiful news I can’t help myself. Phanuef to the Sens…love it. George, JN, and the rest of the Sens fans be honest with yourselves…how many times have you guys called Phanuef a useless over paid pylon? How many times have you sworn that he would never get more than a bag of pucks?
Well…now he’s your overpaid pylon, good riddance…the Leafs have been a disaster ever since he’s been in T.O. I’ll take my bag of pucks and cap relief.
Michalik will be gone at the deadline, Greening will get a chance to crack the line-up, and Cowan will surf the bench with Corrado. All in all, not a bad days work in Leafland.
I have NEVER said that about Phaneuf. What I have said – consistently – and again in another thread here today – is that he was badly miscast by Wilson-Burke in a) turning him in a captain and b) trying to paint him as a Top D with 25-28 minutes a game against the opponent’s best line and D pairing. All of which was compounded by Nonnis handing him that $7 mil deal. Is he a $7 mil 2nd-pairing D? Of course not. He should be getting in the ranged of $4.5 there. But then again, the Sens were getting ZILCH from the $9+ they were paying out to Cowen, Michalek and Greening (who each have another year after this), so, with their cap space, they can easily absorb Phaneuf’s $7 and let him play 3/4 minutes alongside a fast, good young D in Ceci – infintely better than Gardiner or any of the other stiffs in TOs D (other than Rielly who is their ONLY commodity back there).
Couldn’t have said it better myself^
I guess the beatings the Sens took in the early 2000’s have left fans bitter for a number of years
Give that crap up will you? It’s ancient history. But wait … isn’t that what has sustained Leafs fans for the past futile decade, not to mention close to half a century of seeing the Cup go elsewhere.
To be a fly on the wall of Chris Neals place when he heard the news….
Gotta say….I think this works for both teams. Ottawa gets some immediate help on the blue line, Toronto gets players they can flip for picks or use (whatever they feel like), and they get out of the long term contract that Phaneuf carries. Win win to me…
I believe you are spot on! But, damn….those beatings were satisfying. Both teams haven’t amount to much since then except for that nice run in 07. Nothing vs blue balls!
AV sits McIlrath vs Philly knowing Simmonds stays running the Rangers D, gets Yandle and proceeds to play Boyle as his #1 pp QB, has a disgusting loyalty to Glass & refuses to cut Nash’s ice time despite his lack of production & effort. Teams stale & AV is a flake. Their window hasnt just closed it slammed shut. Time for these ladies to get a makeover
Nash’s lack of effort? Lol. You should stay sober and watch a game. Obviously drinking and reading espn’s stat page has you confused.
Well I’m usually so drunk that i cant read so your off on the stats remark. And should i have said lack of heart or balls instead of effort? Cause he’s definitely not playing a mans game. If he had half the drive Zucc has he’d be unstoppable. He’s lame. Great pk guy, lovely. Guess they should give Fast $7.5m too. Or maybe you only watch regular season games when he’s actually semi noticeable.