Winter Classic was already spoiled

I’m sure there are other teams that would be interested in acquiring him if he didn’t have such a short list of places he’s willing to go. Vancouver isn’t just going to give him away, though. He’s a great player, and we NEED a guy like him on our team. 

Gave up less for Phaneuf? That’s just not true at all. White was emerging as a solid top 4 dman, and Stajan and Hagman were both useful players. Not spectacular, but useful. Stajan then was like Bozak is now: a third liner putting up second line numbers in a first line role. 

We still won the Phaneuf deal, but the pieces we gave up for him weren’t the crap they are often made out to be. A 24-year-old top 4 dman has more value than a 22-year-old forward prospect that likely becomes a 2nd or 3rd liner in the long run. 

Tempted to jump in for a longer debate but it is my turn to walk the dog and he is looking really pissed at me for continuing to type on my computer!! I’ll check in later, always enjoy the debate guys. Cheers.

White was the only piece of any value.  Don’t kid yourself on the others, because you have to take contract status into account.  It cost Calgary 14 million to retain Stajan, whereas Colborne will probably play for very little for the next 4 years.  Again, it’s a moot point anyways, because the age difference in the players is so massive.  If we move Colborne for him, it will be the most expensive goalie acquisition since Luongo himself was moved – in his prime. Why is it the Leafs always have to pay more for every position – and more importantly, why are the fans okay with it?

Boston, Montreal, Ottawa – all have great prospects in the system too.  Even though Burke has built a strong prospect base, I think part of the reason we haven’t taken off yet is because we’re in a really well managed division.  We have a couple stud OHL defenders, and all the other studs in that league just happen to be prospects in our division.

NHL/NHLPA deputies meet into night, plan to meet again; What players may get in new CBA

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/177160641.html

Bear in mind that the option to the dead cap space is to recalibrate those long terms deals so it has a rolling 5 or 6 year average which deals with the real salaries being paid short term.  That pushes up the cap hit sooner rather than later and reduces salary cap available now rather than at the end of those deals.  One way or the other the players have to accept that they participated in deals that were intended to circumvent the cap.

Like I said my view is this is more important to Bettman controlling  the owners as opposed to the player salary . Sure they will bitch a little about it but I doubt its will be that big an issue for them.

Well, right now it’s not looking like a lot of Marlies are really earning NHL jobs, so he might not be in such a rush.  I would not be surprised to see him acquire Luongo and move forward without much other change.  Then he can deal Connolly and others at the deadline and absorb 50% of their salaries. 

Don’t forget Barkov. He may even be better than MacKinnon. 

Yeah I can see that happening . Lots of work left to do for sure . 

wtf, all im saying is some players are dealt for a reason,,,,,,,,wtf did we get deschamps for??? we are not gms, im just sayin he could be a target,,,,,,

Yipper and for me that is the single most important thing that the Leafs get out of this deal.  It puts them on a more level playing field (sheet of ice?) with UFAs going forward.