I don't believe the Sens ever intended to see both Phaneuf and Methot go. I do believe they wanted to move the salary for one of them.

I think moving Methot was a difficult visual. Local boy, loves Ottawa, just built new home and just had a new baby.

But let's be honest Phaneuf is the better Dman by a good deal. He is the same age as Methot and is in great shape. Commentary during the playoffs was that Phaneuf was playing up to play in Calgary.

I understand the difficulty Leaf fans have with Phaneuf.

There are no UFA's of Phaneuf's quality available.

The Sens are better for having Phaneuf.

The Leafs are lesser for not having a character and quality like Phaneuf.

This is an issue for Leaf media and fans. Your all going to have to learn to deal with it.
- spatso

Look's like your running your famous special again!

I think Dorion is actually really smart in this - going out of his way to ensure he has no players that would warrant a large pay raise.

If you're not trying to win, you don't have to pay! No wonder Melnyk keeps him employed!
- Feeling Glucky?

Curios how you try and rationalize a team going to double overtime in game 7 of the ECF as somehow not trying to win.

Leaf fans have lived for so long in a culture of losing they have lost perspective on just how hard it is to go deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Perhaps we might listen without laughing if you actually won a round.

I don't believe the Sens ever intended to see both Phaneuf and Methot go. I do believe they wanted to move the salary for one of them.

I think moving Methot was a difficult visual. Local boy, loves Ottawa, just built new home and just had a new baby.

But let's be honest Phaneuf is the better Dman by a good deal. He is the same age as Methot and is in great shape. Commentary during the playoffs was that Phaneuf was playing up to play in Calgary.

I understand the difficulty Leaf fans have with Phaneuf.

There are no UFA's of Phaneuf's quality available.

The Sens are better for having Phaneuf.

The Leafs are lesser for not having a character and quality like Phaneuf.

This is an issue for Leaf media and fans. Your all going to have to learn to deal with it.
- spatso

Most commentary I saw was how Methot was the primary reason Crosby was having trouble.

Matthews and Eichel are probably close to the same
- senstroll

Perhaps.

We know that Eichle and Matthews will get paid off of the McDavid read.

I assume that Marner and Nylander will read off of the Draisaitl deal projected to come in at $9.5m.

Most commentary I saw was how Methot was the primary reason Crosby was having trouble.
- prock

Karlsson usually lines up against the other team's top player. He has a history of outplaying them.

Nobody, including Methot has ever suggested that Karlsson was so effective because of his partner.

Claesson's numbers are better than Methot when partnered with Karlsson.

Yeah, I think you're right.

A good read on that issue, is Michael Traikos article in today's paper.

http://www.ottawasun.com/...-oilers-into-win-now-mode

he kinda insinuates that the leafs "window" for a Cup is between now and the end of the 2018 season
- D0PPELGANGER

It is not the first time that thought has been mentioned.

History has shown us (Pitt, Chicago) that you can have at least 2 superstar contracts and be successful.

I see the theory, I just don't buy it. The Leafs don't have long term salary problems in the slightest.

You might as well same the same thing about Edmonton.

Actually... Edmonton has a legit shot at going to the SCF this year.

Karlsson usually lines up against the other team's top player. He has a history of outplaying them.

Nobody, including Methot has ever suggested that Karlsson was so effective because of his partner.

Claesson's numbers are better than Methot when partnered with Karlsson.
- spatso

look at you and your red coloured classes. it's unbelievable how easily you forgot crosby utterly dominating him. why do sens fans not want to talk about this?

Really, best Dman on the planet and a team that went to the ECF.

Great group of rookie prospects coming in and upwards of $20m coming off the books from season end.

Pretty sound job of asset management if you ask me.
- spatso

Money coming off the cap is wonderful, I as a leaf fan am thrilled that the leaf have a bunch if money coming off the cap (that used to be on the sens cap)

Really, best Dman on the planet and a team that went to the ECF.

Great group of rookie prospects coming in and upwards of $20m coming off the books from season end.

Pretty sound job of asset management if you ask me.
- spatso

Rookies are nothing until proven otherwise ... like ALL the leafs rookies did during the greatest rookie season ever.

budget team with Phaneuf, Smith and Ryan on the books for what 17.5 million into the year they have to re-sign Karlsson. Not to mention MacArthur and what may or may not happen there.

Losing Methot to a goalie prospect and a 2nd in 2020.

yeah, great asset management. You better hope those rookies become 1st year all stars. Sadly, they won't.

Karlsson usually lines up against the other team's top player. He has a history of outplaying them.

Nobody, including Methot has ever suggested that Karlsson was so effective because of his partner.

Claesson's numbers are better than Methot when partnered with Karlsson.
- spatso

I see the game now.

It is a new saviour as soon as the old saviour becomes garbage or is gone.

What happens next year when Chabot doesn't play in the NHL and White shows what he really is, which is somewhere below Jimmy Vesey.

Curios how you try and rationalize a team going to double overtime in game 7 of the ECF as somehow not trying to win.

Leaf fans have lived for so long in a culture of losing they have lost perspective on just how hard it is to go deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Perhaps we might listen without laughing if you actually won a round.
- spatso

Congrats on the 28th pick.

It was a great playoffs for everyone except the Sens, who ultimately damaged their own future chances.

How long until Boucher is gone.

Where will Karlsson sign?

look at you and your red coloured classes. it's unbelievable how easily you forgot crosby utterly dominating him. why do sens fans not want to talk about this?
- Tumbleweed

Obviously you did not watch the series. Karlsson played a very strong defensive game head to head against Crosby. It was great hockey.

Matthews and Eichel are probably close to the same
- senstroll

Matthews Eichel Laine will get Draisatl Money

Nylander and Marner somewhere below that.

Leafs will be fine.

Curios how you try and rationalize a team going to double overtime in game 7 of the ECF as somehow not trying to win.

Leaf fans have lived for so long in a culture of losing they have lost perspective on just how hard it is to go deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Perhaps we might listen without laughing if you actually won a round.
- spatso

"Achieving" something you did not intend to is pretty much the definition of luck.

Obviously you did not watch the series. Karlsson played a very strong defensive game head to head against Crosby. It was great hockey.
- spatso

#fakenews

Money coming off the cap is wonderful, I as a leaf fan am thrilled that the leaf have a bunch if money coming off the cap (that used to be on the sens cap)
- burn

You understand this is the kind of comment that causes the rest of the league to laugh at you guys. This morning it is reported the Leafs are trying to sign Shattenkirk. You know it will cost more on an 8 year term and duplicate the same age profile for Phaneuf.

Shattenkirk is a little better offensively than Phaneuf. Phaneuf is much stronger defensively and has a much stronger physical presence. He is also a stronger presence in the room. Shattenkirk is not a team leader wherever he has been.

So, what is the point?

It is not the first time that thought has been mentioned.

History has shown us (Pitt, Chicago) that you can have at least 2 superstar contracts and be successful.

I see the theory, I just don't buy it. The Leafs don't have long term salary problems in the slightest.

You might as well same the same thing about Edmonton.

Actually... Edmonton has a legit shot at going to the SCF this year.
- Aetherial

It's very useful to have a patsy take on the cap hits you want to get rid of, that might negatively impact signing your stars.

You understand this is the kind of comment that causes the rest of the league to laugh at you guys. This morning it is reported the Leafs are trying to sign Shattenkirk. You know it will cost more on an 8 year term and duplicate the same age profile for Phaneuf.

Shattenkirk is a little better offensively than Phaneuf. Phaneuf is much stronger defensively and has a much stronger physical presence. He is also a stronger presence in the room. Shattenkirk is not a team leader wherever he has been.

So, what is the point?
- spatso

Man, his choice in teams is gonna be really small with demands like that.

Man, his choice in teams is gonna be really small with demands like that.
- Feeling Glucky?

sad. spatso = fake news

It's very useful to have a patsy take on the cap hits you want to get rid of, that might negatively impact signing your stars.
- Feeling Glucky?

That's why I am a big Ottawa and Dorion (Murray) fan!

Good move to extend Burrows

You understand this is the kind of comment that causes the rest of the league to laugh at you guys. This morning it is reported the Leafs are trying to sign Shattenkirk. You know it will cost more on an 8 year term and duplicate the same age profile for Phaneuf.

Shattenkirk is a little better offensively than Phaneuf. Phaneuf is much stronger defensively and has a much stronger physical presence. He is also a stronger presence in the room. Shattenkirk is not a team leader wherever he has been.

So, what is the point?
- spatso

Wtf I'm talking about actual salary coming off the books and you come back with some far fetched rumors?

What part about the leafs having money coming off the books is reason for other teams to laugh at us? You're reaching! Such nonsense.

Thank God we have a scoreboard.

If not you guys would declare a summer victory and think you did not need to show up for the season.

The Leafs backed into the playoffs on loser points. It will be much harder in the coming season.

Thank God we have a scoreboard.

If not you guys would declare a summer victory and think you did not need to show up for the season.

The Leafs backed into the playoffs on loser points. It will be much harder in the coming season.
- spatso

resorting to God for help.

you are really getting unhinged.

Thank God we have a scoreboard.

If not you guys would declare a summer victory and think you did not need to show up for the season.

The Leafs backed into the playoffs on loser points. It will be much harder in the coming season.
- spatso

So dumb, just goes to show how clueless you are.

Wtf I'm talking about actual salary coming off the books and you come back with some far fetched rumors?

What part about the leafs having money coming off the books is reason for other teams to laugh at us? You're reaching! Such nonsense.
- burn

Word is Leafs are desperate to upgrade their defense. If they sign Shattenkirk at 8 years for $65m, some of you guys are going to look somewhat silly.