General Leafs Rumour Updates...

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I didn't know where to put this, there will likely be a flood of them during the silly season. This seems better than starting a new thread for updates that are of a smaller variety.

TORONTO - Editor's note: Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis was one of several special guests at a charity fundraiser put on by Toronto businessman Mike Wilson on Wednesday night. All proceeds went to the Safe School Network and the theme of the night was facing off against LGBTQ bullying. Our Steve Buffery caught up to Nonis for an interview about all things Leafs.

I thought this part was relevant.

Q: Will this make the off-season pretty crazy?

Nonis: It will be busy, but it may not be lots of changes because, wanting to make changes and being able to are completely different. If we see some deals there, whether it?s free agency or trades, that we think help us, both short and long term, then we?ll do it. But it?s getting increasingly more difficult to make deals in the cap system with the number of players that are signed around the league. Teams have internal budgets that are affecting things, there are a lot of teams that want to do something, but they?re having a hard time making changes and that makes it more difficult.

I think now and the draft, there will be some things for us to look at.

Q: Trade wise?

Nonis: Yeah. It?s getting busier. There?s talking but there?s nothing right now that we?re close to doing. But it?s picked up a lot.

I know it will get busier once we get to Philadelphia.

 

[bustaheims]

DarrenDreger: Leafs have trade offers on the table for Franson. So far, none acceptable. Preference is to re-sign him.

So, let's not get rid of any a player who was a major defensive problem, and, instead, let's re-sign him for what we all know is going to be stupid money.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Trade him, get whatever you can for him.  I don't think he's getting any faster.  Gets most of his points on the PP, which I think overstates his offensive abilities, and I think he's a liability defensively because of his mobility (or lack thereof).

 

[Redleaf]

The only way I keep Franson is if Phaneuf is going for sure. Even then he only deserves 3rd pairing minutes. Personally, I thought Ranger played better toward the end of the season than Franson.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

DarrenDreger: Leafs have trade offers on the table for Franson. So far, none acceptable. Preference is to re-sign him.

So, let's not get rid of any a player who was a major defensive problem, and, instead, let's re-sign him for what we all know is going to be stupid money.

I do however see Nonis' comment more as posturing though. He has to know that Franson needs to be upgraded in the #4 slot.

 

[Andy007]

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/should-capitals-take-shot-dion-phaneuf


I guess it depends on how much Toronto is willing to pay out of Phaneuf's salary but I kinda would do all of those proposed deals in a heartbeat.

 

[bustaheims]

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/should-capitals-take-shot-dion-phaneuf


I guess it depends on how much Toronto is willing to pay out of Phaneuf's salary but I kinda would do all of those proposed deals in a heartbeat.

If any of those deals require the Leafs to retain salary, I pass on them pretty easily.

 

[Andy007]

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/should-capitals-take-shot-dion-phaneuf


I guess it depends on how much Toronto is willing to pay out of Phaneuf's salary but I kinda would do all of those proposed deals in a heartbeat.

If any of those deals require the Leafs to retain salary, I pass on them pretty easily.

For Staal, absolutely. In the two other scenarios I don't see a problem with retaining some salary but obviously it depends on how much.

 

[bustaheims]

For Staal, absolutely. In the two other scenarios I don't see a problem with retaining some salary but obviously it depends on how much.

Edmonton would have to add significantly to Gagner or Yakupov for the Leafs to retain salary. Same with Washington offering Orlov/Johansson and the 13th overall pick in a mediocre draft. Yakupov is a pretty significant question mark right now and Gagner is good but not great 2/3 centre earning close to $5M for the next 2 seasons. Johansson is a pretty run of the mill 2/3 centre and Orlov is . . . well, he's also largely an unknown quantity, but, looks like a future #4 defenceman. None of these scenarios offer enough incentive for the Leafs to retain salary on Phaneuf - because, really, the incentive in a lot of these deals is clearing cap space and retaining salary defeats the purpose there.

 

[Britishbulldog]

The only rumours I want to read Kadri and Phaneuf's names linked to would be with Shea Weber.  It would give Nashville a LH dman to play with Jones and a young upcoming center.  It would give Toronto a RH dman to play with Reilly.  Swap the 8th and 11th picks in the 1st round if needed to close the deal.

 

[2badknees]

DarrenDreger: Leafs have trade offers on the table for Franson. So far, none acceptable. Preference is to re-sign him.

So, let's not get rid of any a player who was a major defensive problem, and, instead, let's re-sign him for what we all know is going to be stupid money.

The time to move Franson was at the trade deadline. He had inflated numbers due to his PP time, had motivated teams looking to shore up D depth for a playoff run, and oh yeah, was under contract. Now we'll either re-sign him for too much money, or lose him for nothing.

Also would have like to have seen Lupul move at trade deadline. Moving his salary in the off season is going to be very difficult, I would think, and he's consistently injured and slowing down.

 

[Redleaf]

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/should-capitals-take-shot-dion-phaneuf


I guess it depends on how much Toronto is willing to pay out of Phaneuf's salary but I kinda would do all of those proposed deals in a heartbeat.

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

 

[sneakyray]

http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/should-capitals-take-shot-dion-phaneuf


I guess it depends on how much Toronto is willing to pay out of Phaneuf's salary but I kinda would do all of those proposed deals in a heartbeat.

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

because shanahan is still evaluating the janitorial staff at the acc...

 

[bustaheims]

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

Because he's a guy with a $8.25M cap hit that struggled last season and really hasn't produced well enough to have the 7th biggest cap hit in the league. I mean, most of his career he's been a 70-75 point guy. That's great and something the Leafs could use, but, not for that cap hit and not when it depletes an area they need to improve. Part of the value in trading Phaneuf is in creating cap space, not taking away more of it.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The only rumours I want to read Kadri and Phaneuf's names linked to would be with Shea Weber.  It would give Nashville a LH dman to play with Jones and a young upcoming center.  It would give Toronto a RH dman to play with
Reilly.  Swap the 8th and 11th picks in the 1st round if needed to close the
deal.

 

[AvroArrow]

At this point, I'm not adverse to moving Phaneuf for a sub-par package....

 

[Andy007]

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

Because he's a guy with a $8.25M cap hit that struggled last season and really hasn't produced well enough to have the 7th biggest cap hit in the league. I mean, most of his career he's been a 70-75 point guy. That's great and something the Leafs could use, but, not for that cap hit and not when it depletes an area they need to improve. Part of the value in trading Phaneuf is in creating cap space, not taking away more of it.

Staal's total cap-hit is 16.5 million while Phaneuf's is 49. Besides, it's an extra 1.25 million each year for the next two years which is significantly cheaper than keeping Phaneuf and adding someone along the lines of a Stastny or even Bolland. That contract is a killer and if it can be unloaded while also picking up a good-great piece, I am all for it.

 

[Redleaf]

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

Because he's a guy with a $8.25M cap hit that struggled last season and really hasn't produced well enough to have the 7th biggest cap hit in the league. I mean, most of his career he's been a 70-75 point guy. That's great and something the Leafs could use, but, not for that cap hit and not when it depletes an area they need to improve. Part of the value in trading Phaneuf is in creating cap space, not taking away more of it.

Well. Ok. I didn't realize his cap hit was that high. But still, if the Leafs want a real good centremen the price is going to be steep. I mean, there are only so many options available. I don't think we're going to find a perfect fit.

 

[Kin]

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

Because he's a guy with a $8.25M cap hit that struggled last season and really hasn't produced well enough to have the 7th biggest cap hit in the league. I mean, most of his career he's been a 70-75 point guy. That's great and something the Leafs could use, but, not for that cap hit and not when it depletes an area they need to improve. Part of the value in trading Phaneuf is in creating cap space, not taking away more of it.

Even beyond that, "dangling" Staal doesn't mean a straight swap. In fact, it almost certainly means not a straight swap.

 

[Redleaf]

If Eric Staal is really being dangled for Phaneuf, why the hell wouldn't that happen in a heartbeat?

Because he's a guy with a $8.25M cap hit that struggled last season and really hasn't produced well enough to have the 7th biggest cap hit in the league. I mean, most of his career he's been a 70-75 point guy. That's great and something the Leafs could use, but, not for that cap hit and not when it depletes an area they need to improve. Part of the value in trading Phaneuf is in creating cap space, not taking away more of it.

Even beyond that, "dangling" Staal doesn't mean a straight swap. In fact, it almost certainly means not a straight swap.

Right. It could mean Staal and a pick. Who knows? I take it Staal doesn't interest you?