Toronto Maple Leafs

[Mr. Guru]

So, it is absolutely insane to keep throwing out that same core and expect them to suddenly be a real threat to make the playoffs and actually win once they get there.

This. Is. Perfect.

No leader on the team.

[Mr. Guru]

team wont get better until phaneuf is traded. his defensive minutes can easily be replaced by guys like polak/robidas

Minutes can be easily replaced by Polak/Robidas but they would do a worse job than Phaneuf. For sure. Not to mention the overall d depth would take a hit. But at least you have a guy doing a worse to slightly worse job for A LOT less money/term.

[Bookoz]

Phaneuf still being on the top power play drives me absolutely crazy
I was so excited in the beginning of the year when it was Gardiner Franson. I thought "finally!"
But of course carlyle just had to go back to him
And then there was the news that kadri was going to play the point. I looked it up expecting him to be playing with franson but OF COURSE it was with Phaneuf instead. Bumping franson (our best PP defender) to the 2nd unit
Argh
i DO think a lot of the phaneuf hate is unwarranted, but carlyles complete reliance on him is probably just as unwarranted

I dont get all the bozak hate though
Hes a good player, great along the boards, puts up points and makes under 5 mil
what more do you want from the guy??

[Bookoz]

I think we can all agree that Phaneuf as the captain and do it all defenceman is NOT what we need to win

And you know for a fact that the Leafs brass knows it too

[Bookoz]

Sorry, im talking about the young blood analytics crew

No way they came onto the team and thought that signing was a good idea
and theyre the ones who are becoming most influential now

[JagrBomb]

Minutes can be easily replaced by Polak/Robidas but they would do a worse job than Phaneuf. For sure. Not to mention the overall d depth would take a hit. But at least you have a guy doing a worse to slightly worse job for A LOT less money/term.

i disagree. phaneuf's skating pus him out of position a lot, often forcing him to give up quality chances or take a penalty. polak/robidas don't have the offensive skill that phaneuf possesses but they are pretty much similar defensively if not better. and as you pointed out the cap difference easily makes up for any discrepencies.

and the leafs have enough d depth, holzer is getting scratched and has shown he can play bottom pairing minutes, and percy looked pretty good in his short stint too. phaneuf is easily replaceable on the leafs, so if we can package him for a 2nd line forward that's a win in my books.

[Wfactor]

two things have to go Carlyle, and phaneuf
watching phaneuf attempt to play defense is laughable, and his once feared shot barely hits the net, let alone creates chances for the team to score. Rotate Gardiner and Rielly on the PP with Franson, and it will only get better. they also have to stop relying on the long stretch passes its very annoying watching them try and breakout of the zone when the forwards are at the opposing blueline and the D haven't even exited the zone...
Carlyle is to blame in large part in the latter IMO he just cant get the core group to be an example for the rest of the group. Kessel is a great offensive forward but he gets away with too much weak defensive play. I also don't understand why Gardiner is the whipping boy for Carlyle, he brings good things to the offense yet every time he makes the slightest defensive mistake he gets thrown to the wolves...Phaneuf makes the same plays all the damn time, yet Carlyle rolls him out like he's some defensive messiah

[Bookoz]

Lets say we manage to trade Phaneuf
The question then is who becomes captain??

A lot of people say Lupul, but I dunno about that
Band aid boy and offseason partier just doesnt scream captain material to me

Personally, as silly or sad as it may sound, I think Clarkson would be our best option

[JagrBomb]

phaneuf + for mike richards? doneeeeeeeeeeeeeee. we can even eat voynov's contract if the kings don't end up getting relief from the league.

[Wfactor]

I don't think Clarkson as captain is sad, he probably would be an alright one, Toronto born and raised
I would take Richards for Phaneuf, he would be a great vet 3rd line center

[Bookoz]

Hahahhaha totally got the office reference

but clarkson as captain is NOT that bad, cmon!

like Wfactor said, Toronto born and raised
and he's the type of player that wears his heart on his sleeve, a good person to try to emulate and rally around
there's a good chance he would thrive under the captain role IMO

Kadri would be good too, but no way he should be given that kinda responsibility already! Give him atleast another 4 years before even thinking captain

[JagrBomb]

Oh God, no. No. NOOOOO. NOOOOO. NOOOOOOO!!!! (think Michael Scott, when Toby returned...) lol.
Sorry, too lazy to put a link. Office fans will get it.

for the lazy...




easily one of the best office moments

[Wfactor]

Leo would be awesome, apparently one of the most loved guys in that room
Rielly seems a little young, maybe in 3-4 seasons
LMAO good office scene

[Bookoz]

Leo is loved in the room because hes apparently funny as hell
I dunno about giving him a serious role, let him keep the light mood in the dressing room

Im sticking with Clarkson!

MAN what i would give for a phaneuf eberle trade. It just makes too much sense for both teams!!

Eberle to line up with Kadri
Percy making the jump
and Phaneuf taking control of the radio in the Edmonton dressing room

its just win-win all around!

[Mr. Guru]

No one currently deserves to wear the C.

I would go with three alternates before giving it to someone just to have a captain.