CarltonTheBear said:
I don't think Phaneuf becomes a must-move until after Nylander and Marner's ELCs are up. I also think that'll be around when other teams start to feel comfortable taking the rest of his contract (assuming he can maintain a level of play similar to what we've seen this season).
Certainly the term "must-move" is a subjective one, depending on the necessity of getting rid of his contract or his mistakes (again the idiotic pinch in the first minute of the game against Ottawa), etc.
By all accounts, he seems to be a classy guy, who is good to the young players.
But, really, is he going to be any better in 2 or 3 or 4 years from now? Can the Leafs expect to get anything at all in the future for him, especially if his skating inevitably declines because of age, talent, etc. etc.?
I suggest that it certainly is incumbent on the GM to explore options including trying to trade him now, instead of, say, focusing on seat eligibility for the team's charters, and to ensure that the employees can no longer talk to the media.