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

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Locke

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.

I still say it was injuries. He never looked the same after his hip injury.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

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

Toronto has a fitness program too.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Toronto has a fitness program too.

Hey -no using the gif I stole and posted to make your own joke!

But it is the training version of that Kessel/Phaneuf collision (Kessel dogging it, Phaneuf deep in concentration without any awareness of his surroundings).

[heep223]

Phaneuf never had great IQ and has now lost his confidence, that combination has left him borderline useless. I could see a change in scenery helping but I don't think he'll ever be better than an average #4 d-man with some significant downside risk (ie. his decision-making). Add in his contract and he has very little trade value. Given the state of the rest of their roster D-men and prospects, they're probably better off keeping him and seeing if Babcock can work with him.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Hey -no using the gif I stole and posted to make your own joke!

But it is the training version of that Kessel/Phaneuf collision (Kessel dogging it, Phaneuf deep in concentration without any awareness of his surroundings).

I did steal it directly from your post. I really should have just quoted you.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

I did steal it directly from your post. I really should have just quoted you.

I didn't really care. PLus I stole it myself from somewhere.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Locke

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.

I think it was Detroit, and specifically Dan Cleary, in 2007 in the playoffs. They just broke him - he was never the same player again after getting the crap kicked out of him that series...

[neo45]

Originally Posted by Locke

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.

He started to try and play like a top pairing Dman which he isn't. Dion was at his best when Regher played against the other team's good players and all Phanuef had to do was throw big hits, yapp in between whistles, and get lots of PP time.

Phaneuf is still a good player. He will just never be worth 7 million to a good team. Injuries have also slowed down his physical game

[Daradon]

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.

Ok, between this response and that fact you pinned it to my rebuttal it's obvious your just trolling now. You don't seriously belive that, and both Giordano and Brodie were mentioned in Norris talk. Dion is actually a liability.

AnYway, not going to feed the troll anymore.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Ok, between this response and that fact you pinned it to my rebuttal it's obvious your just trolling now. You don't seriously belive that, and both Giordano and Brodie were mentioned in Norris talk. Dion is actually a liability.

AnYway, not going to feed the troll anymore.

You said 5th. Who says I was talking about those two?

The Wideman comment is what was really ridiculous.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Wideman is better than Phaneuf. Better offensively and probably equal defensively. Not sure how anyone can argue this, it's clear as day.

[JohnnySkittles]

Phaneuf isn't nearly as bad as CP members are saying, and not nearly as good as Big Tuna is saying. Basically the gist of this discussion.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

You said 5th. Who says I was talking about those two?

The Wideman comment is what was really ridiculous.

I'll ask again.

you have claimed that Phaneuf will return way more than most believe, "mark my words" and all.

So...pick any team you like in a theoretical trade, and tell us what that return from said team will be in your estimation.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I'll ask again.

you have claimed that Phaneuf will return way more than most believe, "mark my words" and all.

So...pick any team you like in a theoretical trade, and tell us what that return from said team will be in your estimation.

My favorite part is how he combined "mark my words" with an ambiguous claim in "He'll get more than most people think", lol.

Okay, but if I made the claim "The Flames will do better than some people think next season, mark my words!!" it would be stupid, because they're obviously going to do better than some think and worse than others believe.

Guy just comes on here and throws pro leaf words and phrases at the screen.

[killer_carlson]

Miiiiiiike peca

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I'll ask again.

you have claimed that Phaneuf will return way more than most believe, "mark my words" and all.

So...pick any team you like in a theoretical trade, and tell us what that return from said team will be in your estimation.

It's hard to guess what team will take him. But I do think he'll return a first or a nice prospect,.

Keep in mind, most think he's garbage and the Leafs will eat 3-4 million per and get almost nothing in return.

[BigTuna]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Miiiiiiike peca

Remind me? I think I called him one of the best defensive forwards when he was in his prime.

Oh my how controversial!

[Poe969]

BigTuna, instead of just deflecting and dancing around questions, can you honestly answer a question that's been asked to you several times;

What teams do you realistically see making an offer for dion and for what. Now keep in mind not every team has the cap space for him or room on the d corps for him for that matter. There are a lot of factors in who can even afford to make a pitch for dion so instead of just saying generalized statements about dion netting a good return, can you honestly, realistically come up with a trade proposal or even a list of teams that would be interested in him?

At times you have a lot to offer this board, now is your chance to actually participate in a good conversation otherwise it just seems like your trolling...

[ricardodw]

The Beauchemin situation is an interesting story. He was a solid NHL d-man, went to the leafs and was washed up and back to the Ducks where he is a star.

Wideman was pretty much the same. He played awful for the Flames in 2013-14. I believe this was due to playing hurt. He actually started 2013-14 getting more ice time than Gio and broke his hand and fell apart.

Right now the Leafs have Polak (who they traded for Gunnarson last summer). Polak was a solid guy for St.L and went to a -22 disaster in Toronto before he broke his foot.

Is Polak a bad d-man or is he suffering from the Maple Leaf curse?

He has 1 year left on his 5 year 2.75m contract he signed with the Blues.

I think he would be an upgrade on Engelland and would be a great depth pick up by the Flames . Maybe Babcock needs some forward's he can work with.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

It's hard to guess what team will take him. But I do think he'll return a first or a nice prospect,.

Keep in mind, most think he's garbage and the Leafs will eat 3-4 million per and get almost nothing in return.

I get that it's impossible to pin down a specific team. I'm saying pick any team you like and what you think the return would be from that club. Say....Carolina or Edmonton or someone that could really use defense.

I believe that, at best, the leafs get back a 2nd and maybe a b level prospect and have to retain some salary on top of everything. I could be way off base. ...admittedly.