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.
- Aetherial

Highly doubt he's on the bottom pairing.

He was seeing more minutes than Gunnarsson last year, despite the injury and he won't see any PP minutes with Toronto.

Nonis even mentioned that Dion would possibly move the left side to let Robidas slot in.

I do see Gardiner pairing with Dion when we're down a goal or on the PP.

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

Michael Stuart does that poop on purpose! Throws a blog out there and then disappear like a fart in the wind. Hello Michael, paging Michael, your presence is requested on your thread!

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
- TampaTalk

It's a fact-based comparison of him relative to Eric Brewer, to answer what was said earlier

Michael Stuart does that poop on purpose! Throws a blog out there and then disappear like a fart in the wind. Hello Michael, paging Michael, your presence is requested on your thread!
- Artyukhin76

Mike's definitely one of the best bloggers on the site

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

You are speculating at best. You have no idea, no one does.

He was second pairing in Calgary no? Sutter coaching.

Sigh.

Tampa is, in all aspects, a vastly superior team than Toronto. From current stars, to prospects, to AHL teams, to Stralman over Phaneuf, to Johnson over Kadri, to arena food, to beer prices, to ticket prices, to smell of urinal pucks in public washrooms.

We, as Leafs fans, shall bow down to Tampa and their 4 game sweep in the first round at the hands of the Canadiens.

Tampa fans, thank you for allowing us to visit your thread. In the words of Wayne and Garth "we are not worthy".

You are speculating at best. You have no idea, no one does.

He was second pairing in Calgary no? Sutter coaching.
- Dozzer

I'm speculating but you're not? You said he'd be #3 on a contender.

And Dion was second-pairing for about 3 months in Calgary. He was their top guy for years.

This whole discussion about who has got the best system is dumb. I wouldn't trade Vasilevskiy for all the goalies you got, I wouldn't trade Hedman for any of your defenseman, maybe Phaneuf+ Rielly and a pick!

And no, Stamkos wouldn't get better support in Toronto because they would have to move players out to afford him!
- TampaTalk

and you don't think that all of these top prospects the tampa fans are touting will demand higher salaries as the become RFA and UFA? If stamkos stays in Tampa, his contract will also preclude Tampa from retaining all these players...it goes both ways...

I'm speculating but you're not? You said he'd be #3 on a contender.

And Dion was second-pairing for about 3 months in Calgary. He was their top guy for years.
- RogerRoeper

This is flat out incorrect.

Mike's definitely one of the best bloggers on the site
- lumlums

He really is!

This is flat out incorrect.
- Dozzer

Look at his ice-time please. He was the #1 D-Man in Calgary. His minutes were taken back when Boumeester got signed and they were looking to move him.

He was runner-up for the Norris in Calgary.

Look at his ice-time please. He was the #1 D-Man in Calgary. His minutes were taken back when Boumeester got signed and they were looking to move him.

He was runner-up for the Norris in Calgary.
- RogerRoeper

I said the year he was traded, and I asked in the form of a question.

Which means I want proof, not your opinion as fact.

I swear the year he was traded he was second pairing.

I said the year he was traded, and I asked in the form of a question.

Which means I want proof, not your opinion as fact.

I swear the year he was traded he was second pairing.
- Dozzer

I said 3 months, which is correct. He was traded in January. That's the only time he played any reduced role in Calgary.

And to correct you you never said "His Last Season". Now you're changing the discussion for the second time.

So that brief time means he's second pairing somehow? Sutter coached him and he was their #1 D-Man.

I said 3 months, which is correct. He was traded in January. That's the only time he played any reduced role in Calgary.
- RogerRoeper

I'll take your word for it without proof though still skeptical.

However, his role was reduced, and then he was traded. Perhaps Calgary recognized he wasn't the defenseman they thought he was? Then moved him.

People never seem to consider that end of it.

I said 3 months, which is correct. He was traded in January. That's the only time he played any reduced role in Calgary.

And to correct you you never said "His Last Season". Now you're changing the discussion for the second time.
- RogerRoeper

As for your second comment I'm sorry if I didn't come right out and say it, but I forgot you like to point out minor flaws in comments instead of staying on point.

I'll take your word for it without proof though still skeptical.

However, his role was reduced, and the. He was traded. Perhaps Calgary recognized he wasn't the defenseman they thought he was? Then moved him.

People never seem to consider that end of it.
- Dozzer

Do you think he had a 60 point season and was runner-up for the Norris by being a second pairing guy?

Do you think he had a 60 point season and was runner-up for the Norris by being a second pairing guy?
- RogerRoeper

Yes. With PP time points are easily achievable.

Fact is, Calgary didn't think highly enough of him to keep him in that role. That says something.

Yes. With PP time points are easily achievable.

Fact is, Calgary didn't think highly enough of him to keep him in that role. That says something.
- Dozzer

Fact is, Calgary made a horrific trade and got worse.

And what secobd-pairng guy gets nominated for a Norris? Not even Mike Green did that.

Anyways roger, we should take this back to the leaf boards and let the TB fans have their forum back

Anyways roger, we should take this back to the leaf boards and let the TB fans have their forum back
- Dozzer

Then they'll be bored.

Then they'll be bored.
- RogerRoeper

We will be fine, trust me!

Do you think he had a 60 point season and was runner-up for the Norris by being a second pairing guy?
- RogerRoeper

On the flip side, do you stand 3 feet away from one of the most prolific scores in the NHL today while he's standing 3 feet from your goaltender? Because that's what I've seen to do the last time the Lightning play the Leafs.

"Tampa is one the NHL's top franchises"
- Michael_Stuart

That seems like kind of a loosely used statement. I think you could pretty much say the same thing for at least 15 or 16 of the other teams in the NHL.

Regardless, It doesn't seem like UFA's are breaking down Tampa's door trying to sign there.

Sigh.

Tampa is, in all aspects, a vastly superior team than Toronto. From current stars, to prospects, to AHL teams, to Stralman over Phaneuf, to Johnson over Kadri, to arena food, to beer prices, to ticket prices, to smell of urinal pucks in public washrooms.

We, as Leafs fans, shall bow down to Tampa and their 4 game sweep in the first round at the hands of the Canadiens.

Tampa fans, thank you for allowing us to visit your thread. In the words of Wayne and Garth "we are not worthy".
- Kinger34

I would rather be swept in the playoffs with our backup goalie Lindback than not making the playoffs.... wait a minute the Leafs did not make the playoffs... isn't that funny.

I would rather be swept in the playoffs with our backup goalie Lindback than not making the playoffs.... wait a minute the Leafs did not make the playoffs... isn't that funny.
- stammerman

You'd rather got embarassed in the playoffs and have a worse pick? Not sure if thats what id want... especially if it was going to be a sweep to the habs...