Phaneuf signs 7 year $49 million extension

[flyercanuck]

In the worst kept secret of recent memory the Leafs signed happy-faced Dion Phaneuf to a longterm extension at $7 million per year. I don't think it's a bad signing...it's not like they were going to get anything better out there. He's likely not a top ten defenceman in the league even though he's being paid like one (heck he may not be a top ten CANADIAN defenceman). But with the cap going up it should work out ok, as long as he doesn't regress now that he's locked in til he's 35. 

 

 

[flyerrod]

here's a link for his thank you speech...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ0SRgh3X9Q

[yave1964]

  Not a bad signing, like you said there aren't really better options out there. Keeping Dion is better than getting another teams sloppy seconds.....

[Podein25]

Suck it Phaneuf

[flyercanuck]

@Podein25

 

Hartnells finest moment.

[Podein25]

Hartnells finest moment.

Agreed. It could only have been made better if he had tripped over the blueline....

[Commander Clueless]

Hefty price, but happy to see Phagoof locked up. A Leafs defense without him is just....pitiful at this point.

 

 

Him and Kessel got some pretty big bucks from Nonis I have to say. Still, that looks really good in comparison to the ghosts of contracts past (and probably present, if early indications on David "Wendal" Clarkson mean anything).

[flyercanuck]

@Commander Clueless

 

All teams have contracts they aren't too happy with. I'm a big Giroux fan but think his new contract is too much. But like Phaneuf, it's not like you can replace the guy with someone else, so i guess you pay it.