Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDutch
The forum is still like that, just a day ago it was back to being fleeced. Almost all season the usual Dion lovers were throwing that back out there.
Now one game happens and suddenly the tune changes. Fact it is that he is a extreme love/hate type player. He delivers the big hit or goal, and the tends to cover up the worts in his game which are many. Then a night like this happens, and we all see who he really is, a player making way too much for what he brings. In a cap world that can be very damaging for a team.
However, the guy is a decent player (I agree with 2nd pair D), he just has got by too far on his first two flames seasons. If he will swallow pride and sign for $2 mill less a season, he will be in that sweet spot for value, and probably get way less heat for his frequent mistakes.
|
I doubt that in a well run organization the fans have any say in weather they retain a player or not, so the comments about Dion and his popularity mean nothing. There are no indications that the Leafs are not going to extend him and i think they will.
Fundamentally although JVR was a great pickup for them and so was Lupul, the Leafs have never replaced Beauchemin and Luke Shenn and as a result are very soft on defense. Burke made some good trades but he traded roster players and you still have to replace those pieces. Ryan O'Byrne is not a replacement.