I still think the Phaneuf for Thornton idea has merit.
There's really no other likely way to do it, with their cap situation, right? I haven't looked at capgeek in a while, but I recall the outlook for this season being so tight that it was hard to see how they could add a top 6 center.
So you mean to tell me that a smart Leaf GM goes out and trades some youth away for Thornton? Cause were just a Thornton away from the whole shebang, huh? * shakes head*
No, just that cap situation means that GM
can't. Personally, I'd like to see someone swap youth for youth -- package Gardiner or Kadri to try to get O'Reilly from Colorado -- or try for a UFA like Stasny, but those aren't even options. Or are they? I haven't looked lately.
But, no, I don't think trading away a developed defenseman like Phaneuf for an older C makes much sense. That C will be well past his prime -- to say nothing of the forwards in their late 20s -- by the time the younger defense corps, presumably anchored by Rielly and Gardiner, is developed enough to compete.