If you're assessing his value, where he slots on our depth chart is irrelevant. He's a good D who is solid defensively, doesn't make a lot of mistakes, doesn't provide offense, doesn't have offensive upside, and doesn't provide a physical presence.

He is also RFA next year, not UFA.

What he deserves is 5 years at $3.75M - $4M.

Just look at the list of D who make over $4M. He either isn't in their class, or they have bigger upside, or they're overpaid and hurting their team's cap situation.

Giving Tanev $4.5M cause we don't currently have someone better is why the Leafs gave half their guys the money they did and are now screwed.
- KB3Point0

It is relevant when you combine it with his level of play. I see what you are saying but he is playing top pairing minutes well which to me says that his skill level WRT his strengths is such that top pairing calibre on an average defence corps. He is no Roman Josi, who plays top pairing but is a bona fide #1D, but if Chris Tanev is your #2 there is no need to panic

Fair enough. What about switching gears and putting Webber and Stanton on the Market. What do you think they would garner at the current market rate?
- Linden_4_Capt

SFA.

Game day from Buffalo. Here's the new blog:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...ck-Starts-Again/194/66730

It is relevant when you combine it with his level of play. I see what you are saying but he is playing top pairing minutes well which to me says that his skill level WRT his strengths is such that top pairing calibre on an average defence corps. He is no Roman Josi, who plays top pairing but is a bona fide #1D, but if Chris Tanev is your #2 there is no need to panic
- bezz44

If Chris Tanev is your #2 defenceman (not the de facto #2 due to injury) there would be need to panic. That would be a non playoff team.

And no, it is irrelevant. Him being paired with the #1 does not make him the #2. Where he slots in on one team isn't what matters when gauging his value, it's where he slots in league wide.

Josi's cap hit is $4M for this year and the next 4. So why does Tanev deserve more???

Nice that next year is a contract year. Booner would be better to tell you about Bieksa than me in contract years.
- VANTEL

That's funny. I already mention this season that his trade value will be better next season because of the contract year performance he's always best at.

I feel like Joe would be more happy retiring in a place where he's comfortable(not a big hockey market, nice weather) and doesn't care if he's not wanted and won't win a cup on a declining team.



I know Booner is gonna rip me, but Bieksa just comes off as a guy who's more competitive and has more pride(or ego for Booner's sake ) than that. If he's not wanted I can see him getting a little pissed and giving a list of a few teams he'd go to, I'm guessing most of the teams on the list would be contenders where he cod play top 4 mins as a RHD.
- Nucker101

Pride/Ego. What ever. I'm not ripping you or do I ever really. He does have more but with the good come a lot of bad.

Look at Bieksa scurrying around to block critical tweets. He's a prima dona. Look at him use injury excuses for poopty late season performances just to run off and compete in the World Championships instead of treatment/rest. Or his "in your face" in front of the cameras to the fans for not getting traded the year Ballard was brought in. He hates any kind of fan media criticism or negative press more than any other Canuck. Butthurt Bieska should be his nick name.

My bet is the media could chase him off easily if they wanted. You wouldn't even need to scratch or reduce ice time. Lets be honest, he has been the most coddled player on the team for a decade now. AV never ever made him accountable and the media turned a blind eye focusing on less popular players for far fewer nightmare performances which in Bieksas case last for months and months at a time.