With all of the Offensive style D men the Leafs have, why not put Dion into that more defensive role. Make him into that mean tough, pain in the ass, hard hitting guy he was when he came up.

I want him to played pissed off, every game.

What a (frank)ing mistake that would be.

For that kind of money you can get a true number one guy. Dion is at best a 5.5 million dollar guy.

With all of the Offensive style D men the Leafs have, why not put Dion into that more defensive role. Make him into that mean tough, pain in the ass, hard hitting guy he was when he came up.

I want him to played pissed off, every game.
- bixll

didnt Sean Avery date his wife....maybe sending Dion nude photos of them together before each game would do the trick

Kulemin.
- SameOld

I doubt Kulemin would have been enough, especially if they were willing to eat some salary.

I wonder if when he doesn't make Team Canada he rethinks what he is asking.

didnt Sean Avery date his wife....maybe sending Dion nude photos of them together before each game would do the trick
- 10baci

Hey, whatever works. He was better, when he was 20 than he is now.

With all of the Offensive style D men the Leafs have, why not put Dion into that more defensive role. Make him into that mean tough, pain in the ass, hard hitting guy he was when he came up.

I want him to played pissed off, every game.
- bixll

That's pretty much what they've done. He's primarily become a shutdown guy who can contribute offensively.

For that kind of money you can get a true number one guy. Dion is at best a 5.5 million dollar guy.
- LeftCoaster

Ohhh great point. Should be easy to just scoop one out in free agency.

Thanks for pointing that out! I'll give Nonis a ring to let him know.

If that's his starting point he'll likely come down a little from there. Probably more like 6 - 6.5M
- Jeffmt

Yup. People are freaking out.


It's how negotiations start.

I'm not a Dion lover or hater, I think he does a pretty decent job and eats up a lot of minutes. When I hear $7 mil plus my first thought is, there has to be a better way to spend that kind of cash!?

I wonder if when he doesn't make Team Canada he rethinks what he is asking.
- SameOld

Doubt it.


He's asking that money as a negotiation.. He wont get that much.

I doubt Kulemin would have been enough, especially if they were willing to eat some salary.
- Jeffmt

Well plus the picks of course. He's obviously not Moulson but a comparable in regards to being a free agent.

I would hazard a guess that they would of liked him to show their young russians the right way to play.

That's pretty much what they've done. He's primarily become a shutdown guy who can contribute offensively.
- Jeffmt

RC is smart then. I have not been able to watch near as much as I would like, too busy.

Like all negotiations, the opening positions are always going to be inflated. A high number is to be expected.

Plus, like most players, he'd take max term in exchange for a lower number.

I'm thinking, in the end, he signs a deal that's about $50M/8yrs ($6.25M/yr)

For that kind of money you can get a true number one guy. Dion is at best a 5.5 million dollar guy.
- LeftCoaster

point is, find that guy. NO UFA and then you enter the trade market, good luck with that. That's why when people say 'this guy isn't worth the $$$' it's sometimes about not having to give up anything to get him.

For everyone who says Phaneuf is terrible, i have NEVER seen a realistic replacement option. Seen a few NHL '14 for xbox like trades, but that's about it

I agree. We dont need him to contribute so much offensively as we do defenseively. And Carlyle is turning Dion into a shutdown machine. I think the only way people realize this is if (please dont happen) Dion got hurt for a few games. We would be screwed and I think we would be lucky to win a game in his absence. I dont know how people can say he isnt worth 7, yet on the open market he would get that easy. Are all the GMs dumber than the phaneuf hating hockeybuzz posters? They seem to think he is worth it.
- TonkaPhaneuf

You don't pay a shutdown D $7,000,000. 3 years at $5.5 is what he is worth, otherwise he will handcuff the Leaf as he ages and his talents diminish. When it will be time to pay your up and coming you stars (Reilly, Gardiner, Bernier, Kadri etc) you will regret having signed Dion for 5 years + and $7,000,000.

For that kind of money you can get a true number one guy. Dion is at best a 5.5 million dollar guy.
- LeftCoaster

Only if one is available. There's not going to be anyone even close to Phaneuf on the market next year so the Leafs would have to give up a ton of assets in a trade, if they could find another team willing to give up a #1 guy, and then still have to give him a monster contract.

You don't pay a shutdown D $7,000,000. 3 years at $5.5 is what he is worth, otherwise he will handcuff the Leaf as he ages and his talents diminish. When it will be time to pay your up and coming you stars (Reilly, Gardiner, Bernier, Kadri etc) you will regret having signed Dion for 5 years + and $7,000,000.
- Champ

Incorrect.

You are worth what you can get in an open market.

Dion can get 7.5 x 7 in the open market easy.

The question is does he want to take a slight discount to play in the hockey capital of the world and be the Captain of that team.

its crazy, but i cant remember the last leaf captain to retire as leaf captain...will this stop with Dion ?

Mike Augello: Report: Phaneuf Asking for Over $7 Million
- mikeinbuffalo

Like all negotiations, the opening positions are always going to be inflated. A high number is to be expected.

Plus, like most players, he'd take max term in exchange for a lower number.

I'm thinking, in the end, he signs a deal that's about $50M/8yrs ($6.25M/yr)
- jnwood2517

lol thats what i said

Hey, whatever works. He was better, when he was 20 than he is now.
- bixll

Come on man.... Dion has been great these first 12 games...

- Killbot460

@ The oilers and glass bones Hall

Come on man.... Dion has been great these first 12 games...
- SofaKingBored

He has, but he plays better pissed off.