- lumlums

Whatever Norton Webster

Irregardless, I'd rather have stralman at his salary than phaneuf at his
- Dozzer

If you want the #1 pick next year, do it.

If we have to put a 37 year old on our top pairing we are in trouble.
- Aetherial

Gardiner quietly has the best underlying numbers on the team. I think he'll play there, then Rielly - Robidas, and Whoever (Granberg?) with Polak.

Because it's Toronto. You'd see that with any top D-Man on any team.
- RogerRoeper

What?
Who cares what team it is

I hate Phaneuf, but I don't agree with you here. Phaneuf is a legit top-pairing guy and over the course of his contract I think it will become good value.
- Aetherial

Orpik got 5.5 million. Enough said.

Irregardless, I'd rather have stralman at his salary than phaneuf at his
- Dozzer

I'd take them both and drop Carle and Brewer like a hot sack of dog poop!

I hate Phaneuf, but I don't agree with you here. Phaneuf is a legit top-pairing guy and over the course of his contract I think it will become good value.
- Aetherial

I consider phaneuf to be a good number 2 and a great number three on a contender.

What I don't like about his contract is that it signifies they intend on building the D around him, which, I believe to be a mistake.

When I see Dion stop consistently coughing up pucks in front of his own net and blowing missed assignments I will change my opinion
- RileyB77

He had a poor last 20 games, but the first 60 this year he was exceptional.

What?
Who cares what team it is
- RileyB77

You know what I mean. Every mistake makes the highlights.

If we have to put a 37 year old on our top pairing we are in trouble.
- Aetherial

He's a stabilizing presence who's always played a heady possession game.

Guys like that -- older, smarter guys who can change the focus of their game when they lose a step -- have been a rare sight in Toronto; too many Lindros', Nolan's, and Allison's to cloud our judgement on what a 35+ player can do in this league nowadays.

He had a poor last 20 games, but the first 60 this year he was exceptional.
- lumlums

H wa actually +19 the first 60 games. That's pretty incredible given the system and minutes he played.

If you want the #1 pick next year, do it.
- RogerRoeper

In the long run it would be the better move.

With him anchoring the D, second round exits tops.

You know what I mean. Every mistake makes the highlights.
- RogerRoeper

Well theres a lot of highlights.

Its been a slice, headin out

I consider phaneuf to be a good number 2 and a great number three on a contender.

What I don't like about his contract is that it signifies they intend on building the D around him, which, I believe to be a mistake.
- Dozzer

On the cup champion Kings, he'd be the second best D-Man. He'd be #1 on Anaheim.

Gardiner quietly has the best underlying numbers on the team. I think he'll play there, then Rielly - Robidas, and Whoever (Granberg?) with Polak.
- lumlums

I see Gardiner there also. They will cut back the minutes and as Dion to play a more stay at home game.

I see Reilly on the second pairing with Polak and Robidas with one of the Marlies although I could see Polak and Robidas being switched.

I consider phaneuf to be a good number 2 and a great number three on a contender.

What I don't like about his contract is that it signifies they intend on building the D around him, which, I believe to be a mistake.
- Dozzer

No, I think he's paid -- in cap and term -- like every other soon-to-be/UFA Toronto player (the come at a premium).

He's 2-3 year stop-gap until Gardiner and Rielly mature; letting him go now would've set this team back considerably.

He's a stabilizing presence who's always played a heady possession game.

Guys like that -- older, smarter guys who can change the focus of their game when they lose a step -- have been a rare sight in Toronto; too many Lindros', Nolan's, and Allison's to cloud our judgement on what a 35+ player can do in this league nowadays.
- gravyface

Just too many minutes for him. I see him as hopefully bringing some stability to the bottom pairing and leadership for the younger Dmen in the organization.

Nobody gives a (frank) about $ when you're not winning
- RileyB77

lololololHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Please Toronto fans just leave.

I will agree with you on one thing, Phaneuf is better than Stralman!
- TampaTalk

Normally I sympathize with your sentiment here.

This really is not a normal Tampa thread.... but the discussion has become completely Leafs-centric so, yeah, we should leave.

Please Toronto fans just leave.

I will agree with you on one thing, Phaneuf is better than Stralman!
- TampaTalk

Sadly this is not a forum for Tampa fans, it's a forum to discuss Tampa-related hockey. The blog Michael posted leaves it open for TO fans to come and post their side of the story, as long as it stays respectful.

On the cup champion Kings, he'd be the second best D-Man. He'd be #1 on Anaheim.
- RogerRoeper

Don't have to bold it I can read, I disagree too, doughty and phaneuf play the same side, phaneuf would be second pairing.

And watch the arrogance, or I'll end your day early

When I see Dion stop consistently coughing up pucks in front of his own net and blowing missed assignments I will change my opinion
- RileyB77

I find it kind of funny. He dosnt have nearly as many giveaways per game as Subban, Markov, Mcdonagh, Kieth but he is still pegged as a give away machine and those players aren't. Oh yes it's because he is on the leafs.

No, I think he's paid -- in cap and term -- like every other soon-to-be/UFA Toronto player (the come at a premium).

He's 2-3 year stop-gap until Gardiner and Rielly mature; letting him go now would've set this team back considerably.
- gravyface

I've been more open minded about him lately, if he continues to improve as a shut down guy, in 2 or 3 years his salary will be nice and rielly will step into the number one role with phaneuf as his complimentary partner.

Sadly this is not a forum for Tampa fans, it's a forum to discuss Tampa-related hockey. The blog Michael posted leaves it open for TO fans to come and post their side of the story, as long as it stays respectful.
- lumlums

Is the discussion relatez to Tampa right now? It is about how good of a defenseman Phaneuf is, that has nothing to do with Tampa

Don't have to bold it I can read, I disagree too, doughty and phaneuf play the same side, phaneuf would be second pairing.

And watch the arrogance, or I'll end your day early
- Dozzer

This is a cheap cop-out. He'd be the second best D-man on the Kings.