Optimus Reimer said:
Dr. Bobby Leafer said:
Zee said:
I know we can't replace Phaneuf, I think the issue is the money he'll command. For $7M or more people want to see an absolute stud back there who is a bona-fide leader like Chara and nobody questions his ability. I know you can't find guys like that so we are stuck with what we have.
Pretty slim pickins for UFA D this summer too.
Excellent picture, just excellent.
I doubt Philly trades a first rounder with the draft in Philly.
As for the potential trade of Pahneuf, I am not as down on him as are many others.
He is not a number one pairing Dman (except perhaps at the pay window) but even there, a question arise: what will blueliners be getting this summer? Subban (who I also like a lot but he is much better now that he was when they mistakenly (IMO) gave him the Norris - I think he is still developing and will be much, much better than he is yet and honestly I want Montreal to bungle the contract negotiations so he takes his leave of Les Habs sooner rather than later) will be looking at $8M as a first pairing guy so maybe Phaneuf is not overpriced at all.
Florida needs to make the salary floor and needs immediate blueline help. Phaneuf answers both. The problem is that since it is a first overall, the likelihood of a swap of firsts plus Phaneuf is less than probable. We may have to give more.
Yes, we will miss Phaneuf's minutes (should be cut back if he stays) but the fact is this core needs a culture change and it's not going to be Kessel or JVR and trading either Kadri (like many I am on the fence) or Gardiner may create more problems than it solves. We have some young Dmen coming along and though it would be a drop in quality maybe we need to take thats step and if we need a veteran Dman during the year, we address it then.
Finally we need salary cap room, trading Kadri and/or Gardiner will not address that.
