It's a Canadian Game Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 This is a very simple question that I am posting and I am curious to hear what other fans have to say. Who do you think is the Leafs best defenceman?For what it's worth I think it's easily Cody Franson.. but what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I think just for pure skating and skill set, I'd take Gardiner, but he won't be without rookie mistakes etc . I'd have to begrudgeingly say Phaneuf, cause he is the one taking on the top opposition and playing the real though minutes right now. I don't know if the other d-men would not wilt under the pressure or not. There is a lot to not like about Phaneuf, but he is taking on the other top forwards, so that's something. Sad, that your best d-man is a pylon....LOL! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a Canadian Game Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 The other thing that really sparked this question to me was the fact that rumours of trading Franson are coming up and a few on trading phaneuf. To me Phaneuf is way overpaid and although he does play against the big boys and what not he's too slow, doesn't shutdown players as well as he should, doesn't hit the scoreboard as much as he should. He is a great second line d-man or even first if he isn't given such a big role, but I feel for the money he is making and the role he is given he should contribute more. If you're going to make high end money you should be either an offensive or defensive machine and he isn't really either. As for Gardiner give him a couple more years and he will be dominant. He is great now but still more to learn and work on, but obviously will be a great defenseman.. arguably their most valuable asset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Phaneuf is way overpaid, and if I was Leaf management, I'd would not even consider re-upping him for another contract. I'd ship him out of town so quick his head would spin and not think twice about it. This will be the first real test for Nonis, whether to resign Dion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a Canadian Game Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 He's stupid if he keeps Phaneuf and ships Franson. Franson is better and will save the team millions of dollars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 I think Cody is perfect for a second tier pairing. If he had to play against top compitition, I think he would wilt under the pressure. His skating is pretty suspect. Love his shot, accurate and hard...but top pairing, I'm not seeing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's a Canadian Game Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 yea, but I wouldnt say his skating is any worse than Dion.. I think getting rid of Dion could free up space and allow money for more assets. I also think given the chance Franson could step up.. he's still very young and has a bit of maturing to do, I think he could still grow into a more elite dman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 If the question is best, it's Phaneuf. Most overpaid? Phaneuf. Most potential? Gardiner. Best value? Fransen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyerrod Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 Phanuef always reminded me of Sam Eagle from the muppets.....It just makes it real hard to take him seriously.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 @flyerrod Ya, the "scowl" got old real fast. Hartnells "suck it Phaneuf" was one of my favourite moments involving him, though he was fearsome in the WJHCs against the mighty Ovechkin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 As goofy and awkward as Phagoof can be he is easily the Leafs best overall defenseman. No contest.Think of it this way: A Leaf defense without Franson is manageable (although I'd miss him). A Leaf defense without Phaneuf is putrid. If he is traded we better have some defense coming back (or really be hoping a prospect or two steps up in a big way).Guys like Gardiner, Rielly and maybe even Franson still have the potential to surpass Dion, but that's by no means a sure thing. He gets paid a lot and gets a lot of hate (unjustified) and ridicule (more justified), but there's no doubt the Leafs need him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyercanuck Posted August 6, 2013 Share Posted August 6, 2013 @Commander Clueless I can't see any team trading for Phaneuf with that contract. I could see plenty of teams trading for him at the deadline, with that contract expiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Clueless Posted August 7, 2013 Share Posted August 7, 2013 @Commander CluelessI can't see any team trading for Phaneuf with that contract. I could see plenty of teams trading for him at the deadline, with that contract expiring.Maybe, and I agree Phaneuf would probably traded around the deadline were he to be traded at all. However, I honestly think you'd be hard pressed to get him to sign for much less than his current contract given today's market. But that is, of course, IMO.The scariest part is seeing the Leafs defense right now without Phaneuf. Horribad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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