i am not a huge fan of weber either

he's another phaneuf

a number 2 guy, not a number 1
- Dozzer

yep

Everything is his.
- Yeti1181

When you're that big I guess you can be the bully. But you know what happens to bullies?

Komarov...

Did you leave because you wanted top six minutes?

‘No no no, I’m not that kind of a player, everything was good with the Leafs and I really enjoyed it there. But I didn’t get the offer I maybe wanted, and I wanted to play a lot of minutes over here (in the KHL) because it’s an Olympic year and I knew that if I came back to Dynamo I’d get a lot of ice time. It’s hard to say really, I liked the team, the city, everything – coming back (to Russia) was a hard decision.’

If you do end up returning to the NHL, would you like it to be with the Leafs?

‘Oh yeah, I enjoyed it there, it was probably the best time of my life. I was really happy to play with the Leafs and I hope they are going to take me back, but you never know what’s going to happen. They hold my rights until July and I would love to get an offer from the Leafs.’

yep
- rSole

Number 2 on team Canada perhaps

It will end up being another buyout contract...Leafs should have learned that lesson by now...

Trade phaneuf for whatever u get move Franson up...Franson/Gunnar...Rielly/Gardiner ya top 4 ....

The D will suck short term but if u didn't notice it sucks now with Phaneuf..Good news would be u not sporting a ugly contract on the back end for the next 7yrs...
- Fruitcakenipple

They'll likely trade him before buying him out, and the Leafs D with Phaneuf and other changes, could improve. The Leafs D without Phaneuf is less likely to improve and will leave a hole none of our players are ready for and role that could take years to fill. Its a team game and all 23 players are to blame. To expect Dion to stand above it all on his own isn't just unfair, it isn't possible or plausible.

Komarov...

Did you leave because you wanted top six minutes?

‘No no no, I’m not that kind of a player, everything was good with the Leafs and I really enjoyed it there. But I didn’t get the offer I maybe wanted, and I wanted to play a lot of minutes over here (in the KHL) because it’s an Olympic year and I knew that if I came back to Dynamo I’d get a lot of ice time. It’s hard to say really, I liked the team, the city, everything – coming back (to Russia) was a hard decision.’

If you do end up returning to the NHL, would you like it to be with the Leafs?

‘Oh yeah, I enjoyed it there, it was probably the best time of my life. I was really happy to play with the Leafs and I hope they are going to take me back, but you never know what’s going to happen. They hold my rights until July and I would love to get an offer from the Leafs.’
- Fruitcakenipple

Good to hear, nips. Though bolting might have rubbed Nonis the wrong way? Or the contract negotiations? Would love him back. Didn't know we still held his rights, but I highly doubt they sign him before July. Just a gut instict.

Komarov...

Did you leave because you wanted top six minutes?

‘No no no, I’m not that kind of a player, everything was good with the Leafs and I really enjoyed it there. But I didn’t get the offer I maybe wanted, and I wanted to play a lot of minutes over here (in the KHL) because it’s an Olympic year and I knew that if I came back to Dynamo I’d get a lot of ice time. It’s hard to say really, I liked the team, the city, everything – coming back (to Russia) was a hard decision.’

If you do end up returning to the NHL, would you like it to be with the Leafs?

‘Oh yeah, I enjoyed it there, it was probably the best time of my life. I was really happy to play with the Leafs and I hope they are going to take me back, but you never know what’s going to happen. They hold my rights until July and I would love to get an offer from the Leafs.’
- Fruitcakenipple

I loved that guy.

One of the few offensively inept players I was happy to see step on the ice.

Good to hear, nips. Though bolting might have rubbed Nonis the wrong way? Or the contract negotiations? Would love him back. Didn't know we still held his rights, but I highly doubt they sign him before July. Just a gut instict.
- systemtool

Rather than walking around with a raging boner for Clarkson maybe Nonis should have taken care of the players who helped his team make the show last year...

When you're that big I guess you can be the bully. But you know what happens to bullies?
- LeftCoaster

A lesson there: just because you're big, doesn't mean that you can fight

Well now I know why he doesn't think Phaneuf is very good his standards are too high.
- Yeti1181

There are very very few #1 defenseman according to Dozzer's standards.

If Weber isnt one. I would say Chara and Doughty. Maybe Pietrangelo.

Thats about it, and we arent getting one of those guys.

I loved that guy.

One of the few offensively inept players I was happy to see step on the ice.
- Leafs43

not signing him changed the leadership makeup of this team

Rather than walking around with a raging boner for Clarkson maybe Nonis should have taken care of the players who helped his team make the show last year...
- Fruitcakenipple

Maybe, but Im glad he had that wood in his pants. Love Clarkson as a player, contract sucks, but whatever. It sounded like Komo wanted to play in the KHL, nothing Nonis can do about that. Better than standing around with his dong in his hand. Gotta move on. I think Nonis did address issues when he got Clarkson and Bolland. Hopefully one gets healthy, and the other keeps creating chances.

Jesus that Andre Burakowsky on team Sweden a stud...FK the Caps might have a good one there...Impressive game for him so far...

There are very very few #1 defenseman according to Dozzer's standards.

If Weber isnt one. I would say Chara and Doughty. Maybe Pietrangelo.

Thats about it, and we arent getting one of those guys.
- Leafs43

Might just be me, but I wouldn't put Doughty with that class. Maybe not Pietrangelo either.

They're at a level just below that along with Subban, Karlsson, Suter etc

Sounds like you've done this before?
- LeftCoaster

You haven't?

Might just be me, but I wouldn't put Doughty with that class. Maybe not Pietrangelo either.

They're at a level just below that along with Subban, Karlsson, Suter etc
- systemtool

So who is in the top class? Honestly, Ive got Chara there. But now that Pronger, Lidstrom, Niedermeyer are gone, I just dont know who the top guys are anymore.

You haven't?
- systemtool

all points aside... he's getting resigned even if i dont like it

which means i will cheer for him because he is a leaf.. and hope like hell i am wrong
- Dozzer

I've been saying that for the last 2 years. I said I would give him another shot this season, just like the year before.

So who is in the top class? Honestly, Ive got Chara there. But now that Pronger, Lidstrom, Niedermeyer are gone, I just dont know who the top guys are anymore.
- Leafs43

Yea, I suppose you're right. I would put Weber there. Maybe it's time to move Doughty, Pietrangelo, Subban, Karlsson, Suter etc into that class? Just doesn't seem right to me....but maybe it's because most of them are so young still?

- LeftCoaster

Hello.

"He continues to grow," Carlyle said of Rielly, tied for fifth among rookie defenders with 11 points.

"He makes mistakes as young players do – and old players do also. But we think there's a lot more potential in Morgan Rielly and you see glimpses of it now; his skating ability; his ability to move the puck; his ability to get up on the rush; his ability to read the game. It's all improving. And that's a great sign."

Much of it, Carlyle says, is an increasing sense of comfort and confidence. And if there's one piece of advice Rielly has garnered above all others in his acclimation to the NHL, it's to play with confidence.

That was the wisdom passed along from Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf, who, in addition to 26-year-old Cody Franson, has been the most influential voice for the rookie defender.

"I could be back in junior or you know over in Sweden, but I'm not so [I] just try to have confidence and play like I can," said Rielly, averaging exactly 18 minutes nightly this season. "And that's all been Dion. He's been great with that. He's been really trying to help me with that."

Yea, I suppose you're right. I would put Weber there. Maybe it's time to move Doughty, Pietrangelo, Subban, Karlsson, Suter etc into that class? Just doesn't seem right to me....but maybe it's because most of them are so young still?
- systemtool

Im not putting Karlsson in that top class. It could very well be my Leaf bias talking, and i certainly dont claim to watch a large amount of Sens games, but when I do, Karlsson plays defence like a bottom pairing guy. But all people see is the stats, and his stat line usually looks pretty good.

I like Weber, i have him in the top class. If Doughty and Pietrangelo arent there, i think they will be soon. that being said my Canadian bias is probably starting to show.

"He continues to grow," Carlyle said of Rielly, tied for fifth among rookie defenders with 11 points.

"He makes mistakes as young players do – and old players do also. But we think there's a lot more potential in Morgan Rielly and you see glimpses of it now; his skating ability; his ability to move the puck; his ability to get up on the rush; his ability to read the game. It's all improving. And that's a great sign."

Much of it, Carlyle says, is an increasing sense of comfort and confidence. And if there's one piece of advice Rielly has garnered above all others in his acclimation to the NHL, it's to play with confidence.

That was the wisdom passed along from Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf, who, in addition to 26-year-old Cody Franson, has been the most influential voice for the rookie defender.

"I could be back in junior or you know over in Sweden, but I'm not so
- Fruitcakenipple[I] just try to have confidence and play like I can," said Rielly, averaging exactly 18 minutes nightly this season. "And that's all been Dion. He's been great with that. He's been really trying to help me with that."

Whoa, evidence that Phaneuf isnt the worst captain ever? Get that out of here.

"He continues to grow," Carlyle said of Rielly, tied for fifth among rookie defenders with 11 points.

"He makes mistakes as young players do – and old players do also. But we think there's a lot more potential in Morgan Rielly and you see glimpses of it now; his skating ability; his ability to move the puck; his ability to get up on the rush; his ability to read the game. It's all improving. And that's a great sign."

Much of it, Carlyle says, is an increasing sense of comfort and confidence. And if there's one piece of advice Rielly has garnered above all others in his acclimation to the NHL, it's to play with confidence.

That was the wisdom passed along from Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf, who, in addition to 26-year-old Cody Franson, has been the most influential voice for the rookie defender.

"I could be back in junior or you know over in Sweden, but I'm not so
- Fruitcakenipple[I] just try to have confidence and play like I can," said Rielly, averaging exactly 18 minutes nightly this season. "And that's all been Dion. He's been great with that. He's been really trying to help me with that."

So what you're saying is, trade Reilly now as quickly as possible?

Might just be me, but I wouldn't put Doughty with that class. Maybe not Pietrangelo either.

They're at a level just below that along with Subban, Karlsson, Suter etc
- systemtool

Might as well just move them to wing given their defensive abilities...