EQF (4) Boston Bruins vs (5) Toronto Maple Leafs (Bruins win 4-3).

[St. Pats]

I find the Leafs much more entertaining to watch. I'd rather they had got through to the next round. But whatever I'm hoping for a Kings/Pens final with the Kings winning it all again.

[madmike]

Leafs forums are starting to look like this forum just before Phaneuf was dealt.

Some want his head; others defend him.

The biggest complaint is he doesn't learn from his mistakes, which sounds eerily familiar.

I still don't think he's awful - he's a poor man's number 1 D and would be an excellent number 2. I think people will be more forgiving once he's on a new contract and making less money.

[jschick88]

Found this Kijiji ad quite funny.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ484229335

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by madmike

Leafs forums are starting to look like this forum just before Phaneuf was dealt.

Some want his head; others defend him.

The biggest complaint is he doesn't learn from his mistakes, which sounds eerily familiar.

I still don't think he's awful - he's a poor man's number 1 D and would be an excellent number 2. I think people will be more forgiving once he's on a new contract and making less money.

He's his own worst enemy. He's got the tools but not the toolbox. I don't know if it's because he's resistant to coaching or maybe just lacks the hockey smarts of elite defenseman but it doesn't look like he's ever going to be able to round out his game defensively.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by madmike

Leafs forums are starting to look like this forum just before Phaneuf was dealt.

Some want his head; others defend him.

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.

[Resolute 14]

^ Of CP, I used to say that the quality of Dion's defensive play was always judged by whether he scored a goal or had a big hit. It was rarely judged, however, by the quality of his defensive play. Phaneuf could be a great defenceman. He has the pure skill. But without the smarts to put it together, he's a rich man's Anton Babchuk.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by troutman

Leafs will miss the playoffs in 2014.

So will the Habs.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

... But without the smarts to put it together, he's a rich man's Anton Babchuk.

I'm afraid to ask... who would be a poor man's Anton Babchuk?

[jschick88]

SI most exciting Game 7's.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl...eat-game-7s/1/

[moon]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I'm afraid to ask... who would be a poor man's Anton Babchuk?

Dennis Wideman

[Flamenspiel]

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.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

So will the Habs.

Division C has four Original Six franchises: the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are also in the division.

With DET coming over, and BUF and TB playing better, it is possible.

PHO might end up in QUE too, maybe too late for another realignment.

[Puppet Guy]

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by moon

Dennis Wideman

I like Wideman.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by moon

Dennis Wideman

lol....wideman is a better defensive player than dion now...and not far behind offensively.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Found this Kijiji ad quite funny.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ484229335

Too funny.

I'd bet there were lots of of remote controls thrown into something solid and destroyed during the meltdown.

[nik-]

At least Wideman can turn right without a 20 foot turn radius

[Resolute 14]

Jesus you guys. You still let Moon troll you so easily?

[Locke]

Hockey Tonight made some good points:

- Leafs players were top 5 in giveaways in the series with Dion having the most
- Grabovski (-10)/Kulemin (-9)/Gunnarson (-7)/Phaneuf (-6)

You're just not going to win with those kinds of stats.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Jesus you guys. You still let Moon troll you so easily?

I don't mind his posts. A bit of a Debbie Downer, yes, but some cynical skepticism could be healthy at times.