Difference here though is that Phaneuf isn't as worthless to Toronto as Richards is to LA. While yea we would had to take back a bad contract to off load Phaneuf we would also have to get a solid young piece with value to make it worth it.

Also by all LA fans and blogger's own admission, Phaneuf would be a 3-4D with LA (possibly 2 or 5 depending how the change of scenery pans out for Dion) which is an upgrade to what you have. Richards can still play 4C with Toronto, which is a really bad thing, as you know.

Based on that alone Phaneuf has a lot more value than Richards. The only way the Leafs make this trade is if they get back a great piece with Richards. This gives LA a lot more risk as they could give up a solid piece for a bad contract playing on the 3rd pairing but not making this deal definitely leaves LA with a bad contract.

I personally wouldn't make this deal unless Toronto gets a great piece with Richards AND are definitely going the full rebuild route. Of course if LA has to give up another asset they may not want to make this deal but do you trade Richards and hopefully dump a bad contract for an asset (overpaid but still an asset), or keep Richards and definitely hold onto a bad contract.
- Steven_Dean

Excellent comment my friend.

I gotta say, I'm not a big Marc Staal fan. I find that a lot of money.
- RogerRoeper

Like him or not, when healthy, he is a very solid D

I see. So Dion's performance is in no way connected to his teans success?
Or its only when they do well

Let me ask u this. What is a fair return for
-Gardiner(the 4 mill d man who has trouble cracking his pathetic teams line up)
-Kessel
- Dion
- Bieksa#3

Better question to ask him is how would you improve the team?

I see. So Dion's performance is in no way connected to his teans success?
Or its only when they do well

Let me ask u this. What is a fair return for
-Gardiner(the 4 mill d man who has trouble cracking his pathetic teams line up)
-Kessel
- Dion
- Bieksa#3

Hard to say, Kessel is worth a heck of a lot though. A great prospect, first rounder+

Doubt it'll happen. It'll be for Gardiner if it's a Leaf. If not, it'll be either Methot or Sekera.

Yet Anaheim is happy with their D. Will add depth at the deadline. And as for your bias Letang comparison, hell no!
- Champ

Are they? Their weakness is they don't have a #1 D.

And Kris Letang is bad defensively. He's not a top #1 at all.

If everybody in Toronto's core is so good, why are they pathetic every single season
- Bieksa#3

Implying that all of the Leafs assets are worthless because they were bad every year? I guess that means Hall and RNH have little to no value too? Guess the Leafs will take them off their hands. Phaneuf and expiring contracts and a 3rd for them. Even deal



Phaneuf may be over paid but he is still a top pairing defenseman. Otherwise he would not be playing 20+ minutes a night or would be a -40 while doing so.

Implying that all of the Leafs assets are worthless because they were bad every year? I guess that means Hall and RNH have little to no value too? Guess the Leafs will take them off their hands. Phaneuf and expiring contracts and a 3rd for them. Even deal



Phaneuf may be over paid but he is still a top pairing defenseman. Otherwise he would not be playing 20+ minutes a night or would be a -40 while doing so.
- Steven_Dean

You have to ignore all stats with Dion. Most fans tell you he's not a top 80 D-Man in the NHL

Are they? Their weakness is they don't have a #1 D.

And Kris Letang is bad defensively. He's not a top #1 at all.
- RogerRoeper

Karlsson is bad defensively but still a top #1

You want a fact? Dion has been in the NHL for 10 yrs. He hasn't won one playoff series. Not one. And has only a handful of playoff games.
- Bieksa#3

Want another:
Leafs cups: 13
Nucks cups: 0

Both stats just as useless in this thread. You swap Dion for Doughty right now and watch how many more playoff games Drew plays.

Implying that all of the Leafs assets are worthless because they were bad every year? I guess that means Hall and RNH have little to no value too? Guess the Leafs will take them off their hands. Phaneuf and expiring contracts and a 3rd for them. Even deal



Phaneuf may be over paid but he is still a top pairing defenseman. Otherwise he would not be playing 20+ minutes a night or would be a -40 while doing so.
- Steven_Dean

He would be a lot more effective if he was not the man, cause he is not a real #1. He would be better if he was not the Captain and just played within his limitations. What is expected of him is too much for him.

You have to ignore all stats with Dion. Most fans tell you he's not a top 80 D-Man in the NHL
- RogerRoeper

Most fans will also says he should be shot in the street, big deal. You'll have a hard time finding hockey analysts to say that. Some will I'm sure especially if we are considering contracts and potential but Dion is better than top 80 skill wise period.

Want another:
Leafs cups: 13
Nucks cups: 0

Both stats just as useless in this thread. You swap Dion for Doughty right now and watch how many more playoff games Drew plays.


- Steven_Dean

Leafs would be a better team that's for sure and LA would not win another cup.

Want another:
Leafs cups: 13
Nucks cups: 0

Both stats just as useless in this thread. You swap Dion for Doughty right now and watch how many more playoff games Drew plays.


- Steven_Dean

Are u suggesting if the kings had Dion rather then Doughty they win the cup? Are u suggesting they come back from 0-3 against SJ?

He would be a lot more effective if he was not the man, cause he is not a real #1. He would be better if he was not the Captain and just played within his limitations. What is expected of him is too much for him.
- Champ

I agree with you there. If Phaneuf spent his career with Weber or Doughty he would look like an excellent top pairing defenseman IMO.

Most fans will also says he should be shot in the street, big deal. You'll have a hard time finding hockey analysts to say that. Some will I'm sure especially if we are considering contracts and potential but Dion is better than top 80 skill wise period.
- Steven_Dean

Dion's skill set isn't his problem. His attitude and hockey sense are

Come on man dion would be more then a great addition to the kings he's a top pairing D on most teams. He has 0 help from his team. Richards would fill a 3c or 4c roll with us and we lose a top D with no replacement ya no thanks.

Leafs would be a better team that's for sure and LA would not win another cup.
- Champ

There are always miracles.

Leafs would be a better team that's for sure and LA would not win another cup.
- Champ

The Leafs aren't winning a playoff series with Doughty.

Are u suggesting if the kings had Dion rather then Doughty they win the cup? Are u suggesting they come back from 0-3 against SJ?
- Bieksa#3

Lol nope that wasn't my point at all. You should probably read that again.

Dion's skill set isn't his problem. His attitude and hockey sense are
- Bieksa#3

IQ yes attitude defiantly not he has been nothing but positive and a pro.

Put Dion on Phoenix and no one says anything about him.

It's Toronto. We've heard the media say Phil Kessel is worthless and can't be traded.

Dion's skill set isn't his problem. His attitude and hockey sense are
- Bieksa#3

BANG ON!

That is what they mean when they say Shanny will change the core this summer.

Excellent comment my friend.
- Jason_Lewis

Thanks.

Put Dion on Phoenix and no one says anything about him.

It's Toronto. We've heard the media say Phil Kessel is worthless and can't be traded.
- RogerRoeper

I Think that's one here never Hurd any member of media say he's worthless and can't move him and I listen to a lot of sports radio and read articles.