[News] Leafs hire Babcock (8yr contract, $50 million)

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

Beauchemin played behind Phaneuf in Toronto,

Remember when people thought Beauchemin was so terrible and finished on the Leafs?

Just because the Leafs coaching staff were delusional doesn't mean every other staff is. Phaneuf is a shell of his former self. He can't skate, doesn't play well in his own end, and doesn't produce enough in the offensive zone to make up for his poor defensive play. One of the worst defenders in the league and has an anchor, attached to safe, which is attached to a piano, or a contract. Worthless.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

He is Toronto's best D.

Good point. How many good teams would pay $7 mil for a D who isn't their best D. Saying he's Toronto's best D is like saying he's the tallest midget.

Originally Posted by BigTuna

I;m not. Dion has clearly had the better career and he's younger. Boychuk never even had a top-pairing role until this year. I'd like to see him after facing the NHL's top competition like Dion does.

There is no defensive gap. You're delusional.

I guess you can argue Dion has had a better career, I mean all the cups he's won....wait. And that's not even the point! Who cares about their careers in the past, right now is what matters if you're talking about trade value because dion hasn't really done anything to prove that he's worth a lot since he's been average for the past couple of years. Compare this year, not their careers or what they've done in the past. Right now if you would honestly take dion over Boychuck, you're delusional.

Originally Posted by BigTuna

lol.

He'd be #1 on Anaheim right now. Dion and Beauchemin played on the same team. It was clear who was better.

Reall? What honestly makes you think he's better than guys like Lindholm or Fowler or Despres or Stoner or...well any of them? You can argue he's a better player than them (and it would be a tough argument to win) but you also have to take into consideration that he makes $7 mil and that plays a big part in things. Next year when Getz and Perry go up a million each and those good young defenders need new contracts, do you think they'll have cap room to pay dion 7 mil?

The point is, you can say that he'd be some team's best defenseman but does it make sense for any team to pick him up? It's pretty clear that the ducks don't need dion on their team so bringing up the ducks is pointless.

I asked earlier, which teams do you think honestly need a guy like Dion on their team, can fit him in their cap structure and have assets they'd be willing to give up for him? You didn't answer and just kept saying how good dion is....If you come up with a good honest answer that makes sense, people will take you seriously. Right now, no one is.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by New Era

Just because the Leafs coaching staff were delusional doesn't mean every other staff is. Phaneuf is a shell of his former self. He can't skate, doesn't play well in his own end, and doesn't produce enough in the offensive zone to make up for his poor defensive play. One of the worst defenders in the league and has an anchor, attached to safe, which is attached to a piano, or a contract. Worthless.

They weren't delusional. Beauchemin was just terrible in Toronto.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

They weren't delusional. Beauchemin was just terrible in Toronto.

Isn't that a moot point now? He's playing for the Ducks now and is one win away from the Stanley Cup Final. He's provided dependable play and leadership throughout the post season, while logging a good chunk of ice time.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

They weren't delusional. Beauchemin was just terrible in Toronto.

True story: Mostly everyone is terrible in Toronto. Because Toronto is quite a terrible franchise.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

BigTuna thinks Phaneuf is equal to Boychuk defensively. That's cute.

You could make an epic highlight reel each year with Phaneuf's gaffes. He's pure comedy out there considering the coin he makes. I realize all defensemen make mistakes but Phaneuf makes them so consistently you're left wondering if he gets a bonus for every time he misplays a 2 on 1 or loses his man like he's a rookie. He has limited agility now so I think that exacerbates some of his issues but he really looks like a poor man's Wideman defensively a lot of the time.

I will concede that Phaneuf's partners are usually not of the highest quality but shouldn't a truly good defenseman elevate his partner like Brodie did with Engelland? Phaneuf is just meh now and it's sad to see after watching his good years first hand.

[GioforPM]

Phaneuf is Wideman without the shot accuracy and knowledge of his own skating limitations (and therefore the common sense not to be walked around too many times) but with an added $1.5M in salary (which lasts for 4 more years than Wideman's).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

They weren't delusional. Beauchemin was just terrible in Toronto.

I think he suffered from a bad defensive partner. Who was that again?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

BigTuna thinks Phaneuf is equal to Boychuk defensively. That's cute.

You could make an epic highlight reel each year with Phaneuf's gaffes. He's pure comedy out there considering the coin he makes. I realize all defensemen make mistakes but Phaneuf makes them so consistently you're left wondering if he gets a bonus for every time he misplays a 2 on 1 or loses his man like he's a rookie. He has limited agility now so I think that exacerbates some of his issues but he really looks like a poor man's Wideman defensively a lot of the time.

I will concede that Phaneuf's partners are usually not of the highest quality but shouldn't a truly good defenseman elevate his partner like Brodie did with Engelland? Phaneuf is just meh now and it's sad to see after watching his good years first hand.

I like the one where hes windmilling at the blue line like he cant stand on his own skates and hes fumbling the puck like its a hand grenade and then he follows the play all the way back until the puck is in the net.

That one was my favourite.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I'd kill for a highlight reel of just his one armed poke check of doom.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I'd kill for a highlight reel of just his one armed poke check of doom.

He needs the other arm free to point his defence partner towards the corner to get the puck.

[codynw]

This thread needs some Phaneuf gifs.

[GioforPM]

The last one is all Leaf isn't it? Kessel loafing towards the bench and Dion totally unaware of the ice surface.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The last one is all Leaf isn't it? Kessel loafing towards the bench and Dion totally unaware of the ice surface.

I wish this was readily available.. but I remember going to a Flames-Leafs game in the Dome back in umm, 03? Might have been Gilmore's return (and last) game to the Leafs. The Flames were on the powerplay and someway some how in a moment of pure genius 2 pairs of Toronto players ran into each other. Two near the blue line and two near the center ice dot.

It's summed up the Leafs for me every since.

[Flames89]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Phaneuf is Wideman without the shot accuracy and knowledge of his own skating limitations (and therefore the common sense not to be walked around too many times) but with an added $1.5M in salary (which lasts for 4 more years than Wideman's).

You mean, Phaneuf is Wideman without the shot accuracy, passing ability, skating speed, quick thinking and ability to outsmart larger players?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flames89

You mean, Phaneuf is Wideman without the shot accuracy, passing ability, skating speed, quick thinking and ability to outsmart larger players?

And is less intelligently physical and is paid more.

He is younger. So hes got that going for him.

[IamNotKenKing]

When first Dion was here, I used to think he was smart as when the puck came up his boards at the blueline, he would turn to the left, middle of the ice, and it would always be icing, but it would look like he was trying to get it.
Then I realised he actually cannot turn to his right.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Locke

And is less intelligently physical and is paid more.

He is younger. So hes got that going for him.

Just under 2 years younger. But I bet Wideman's in better shape after a couple years under Hartley.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

When first Dion was here, I used to think he was smart as when the puck came up his boards at the blueline, he would turn to the left, middle of the ice, and it would always be icing, but it would look like he was trying to get it.
Then I realised he actually cannot turn to his right.

They needed to pair him with Derek:

[Locke]

Originally Posted by IamNotKenKing

When first Dion was here, I used to think he was smart as when the puck came up his boards at the blueline, he would turn to the left, middle of the ice, and it would always be icing, but it would look like he was trying to get it.
Then I realised he actually cannot turn to his right.

The crazy thing is that Dion for the longest time seemed to have all the tools, I dont know what happened to that guy but it seemed like he just flicked the switch off.