Which Dman would you add in a trade?

[Zee]

Had a long drawn out argument last night about this. If the Leafs do in fact make a trade for a top 6 forward that can make a difference and in the package the Leafs had to throw in 1 Dman (except for our Captain of course, or Komi 'cause of salary reasons) which guy would you most like to see go. I actually like this group and have no idea which guy I'd want to see leave. So who is and/or will be the least valuable to the Leafs?

If Dion and Komi can't be included like you said, then it would make some sense to trade either Franson or Schenn. That's simply because all 4 of those guys play the right side and we only have 3 spots for them.

I wouldn't be against trading Aulie either though, for the right package. Or Liles since he's an upcoming UFA.

I disagree that Komi is not moveable.  Burke has proven in the past that expensive contracts can be moved.  As well, Komi of late has been playing decently which would be attractive to another GM who needs some toughness on his team. 

Other than that, I would be hesitant to move any of the other 7 d-men.  They are young and if kept together can be molded into a very good unit.  As well, if Komi is moved after Liles returns, but a d-man gets injured, that leaves only 6 healthy d-men.  I would rather have that extra d-man in case of injuries or to rest one of the other d-men.

Yeah Komisarek is moveable, especially if Burke makes a move to bring on a high-salary big name forward.  If the Leafs have to take on a contract that is 6-7 million (based on some names thrown around in rumors), then we have to ship out salary like Komisarek in order to accommodate.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Had a long drawn out argument last night about this. If the Leafs do in fact make a trade for a top 6 forward that can make a difference and in the package the Leafs had to throw in 1 Dman (except for our Captain of course, or Komi 'cause of salary reasons) which guy would you most like to see go. I actually like this group and have no idea which guy I'd want to see leave. So who is and/or will be the least valuable to the Leafs?

If Dion and Komi can't be included like you said, then it would make some sense to trade either Franson or Schenn. That's simply because all 4 of those guys play the right side and we only have 3 spots for them.

I wouldn't be against trading Aulie either though, for the right package. Or Liles since he's an upcoming UFA.

I disagree that Komi is not moveable.  Burke has proven in the past that expensive contracts can be moved.  As well, Komi of late has been playing decently which would be attractive to another GM who needs some toughness on his team. 

Other than that, I would be hesitant to move any of the other 7 d-men.  They are young and if kept together can be molded into a very good unit.  As well, if Komi is moved after Liles returns, but a d-man gets injured, that leaves only 6 healthy d-men.  I would rather have that extra d-man in case of injuries or to rest one of the other d-men.

Yeah Komisarek is moveable, especially if Burke makes a move to bring on a high-salary big name forward.  If the Leafs have to take on a contract that is 6-7 million (based on some names thrown around in rumors), then we have to ship out salary like Komisarek in order to accommodate.

Yeah, plus remember that Komisarek has very manageable salary of 3.5 million per season starting next year even though he has a 4.5 million cap hit. That can be handy for a team trying to reach the floor.

 

[Kin]

I disagree that Komi is not moveable.  Burke has proven in the past that expensive contracts can be moved.

Burke's proven in the past that mediocre guys with big contracts can be traded but only if the team takes back a similar, if not worse, contract. I don't think that's ever been doubted though.

 

[gunnar36]

Not true.  Jeff Finger wasn't flashy and that didn't stop a GM from overpaying for him. I think your blueline has to be physical, else it will be manhandled in the playoffs.  Gunnarson should go because he isn't physical and he doesn't have an offensive game like Gardner or Liles has.

and we all know that Fletcher screwed up big time on that one... contract offer was supposed to be 3.5 M spread over 4 years

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Not true.  Jeff Finger wasn't flashy and that didn't stop a GM from overpaying for him. I think your blueline has to be physical, else it will be manhandled in the playoffs.  Gunnarson should go because he isn't physical and he doesn't have an offensive game like Gardner or Liles has.

and we all know that Fletcher screwed up big time on that one... contract offer was supposed to be 3.5 M spread over 4 years

I heard the rumor that old man Fletcher actually thought he was signing a totally different player. That is what happens when you have a 800 year old GM.

 

[Jalili]

Gunnarson

I think you gotta keep Gunnarson simply because he is a solid player who can eat a lot of minutes but isn't going to command a high salary simply because he isn't flashy in any particular area.  On a team where they have a huge payroll tied up on their D, having Gunnarson helps keep that somewhat in check.

Not true.  Jeff Finger wasn't flashy and that didn't stop a GM from overpaying for him. I think your blueline has to be physical, else it will be manhandled in the playoffs.  Gunnarson should go because he isn't physical and he doesn't have an offensive game like Gardner or Liles has.

Gunnarson is the most important d-man the Leafs have.  He makes any partner he plays with better, and he's cheap.  They can't afford to lose him.

I have no idea why Gunnarsson's name is being thrown around in the first place. Especially when we have guys like Schenn and Komisarek who are redundant and have limited skillsets in the first place.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I think one of either Schenn or Franson will be traded depending on the needs (offence/defence from the back end) of the acquiring team.  I think Aulie makes Schenn expendable and I think he has a fairly high ceiling in terms of physical, shut-down defencemen.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Schenn is young and I'd be reluctant to trade him, but he is painfully slow for a 22 year old, they really need to force him to attend an elite skating school and work on it.

 

[gunnar36]

Schenn is young and I'd be reluctant to trade him, but he is painfully slow for a 22 year old, they really need to force him to attend an elite skating school and work on it.

I agree with your assessment.... he needs to go on the same off season skating progam that John Tavares does.  Although Schenn seemed to have quicker feet in his rookie year.

I would also be reluctant to trade him because if they were to make the playoffs he is the type of player you want back there who can set the tone with a big hit and I could really see him elevating his play in the post season.

 

[jonlleafs]

To answer the thread question...

Liles?  *runs away*

 

[Kaberle15]

Gunnarson has been the best overall Leaf D so far, so he should stay

Liles filled the offensive role great before his injury and is signed to a 4 year extention as of today.

Komisarek Cap hit is 4.5Mi, while his salary is 3.5Mi for each of the next 2 seasons, so he is moveble.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

Gunnarson

I think you gotta keep Gunnarson simply because he is a solid player who can eat a lot of minutes but isn't going to command a high salary simply because he isn't flashy in any particular area.  On a team where they have a huge payroll tied up on their D, having Gunnarson helps keep that somewhat in check.

Not true.  Jeff Finger wasn't flashy and that didn't stop a GM from overpaying for him. I think your blueline has to be physical, else it will be manhandled in the playoffs.  Gunnarson should go because he isn't physical and he doesn't have an offensive game like Gardner or Liles has.

Gunnarson is the most important d-man the Leafs have.  He makes any partner he plays with better, and he's cheap.  They can't afford to lose him.

I have no idea why Gunnarsson's name is being thrown around in the first place. Especially when we have guys like Schenn and Komisarek who are redundant and have limited skillsets in the first place.

I agree that Schenn and Komisarek are similar players.  Their lack of mobility makes them liabilities when the Leafs play against a fast team.  It is tough for the coach to match lines when you have two slow-fitted defensemen on the  roster.  Both have high cap hits.  One of them is expendable and Schenn should have significantly more trade value because of his age.

 

[Kessel Run]

I think I would be a little disappointed if anyone other than Komisarek were traded.

 

[sampson]

Just like Burke did with Blake, Toskala, Beauch... he can do with Komi. I bet it happens.

 

[armche123]

Just like Burke did with Blake, Toskala, Beauch... he can do with Komi. I bet it happens.

im betting against you so its happy regardless

 

[Tigger]

Just like Burke did with Blake, Toskala, Beauch... he can do with Komi. I bet it happens.

Beauchemin seems like a candidate for 'one of these things is not like the others'...

 

[x.jr.benchwarmer]

Well, I reject the idea that Phaneuf is untouchable.  He's the one I think would be the best to move to get a high-end forward.

I certainly agree with your opinion concerning Phaneuf. 

Right now, his plus/minus is at -1, which is 374th in the NHL.  (It might show just how premature Wilson's comment was when he said that Dion was the best defenceman in the NHL).  But even if the Leafs could get a bona fide top line forward for Phaneuf (like a Perry or Getzlaf, which in itself would be doubtful), Phaneuf will not be traded in all probability because Burke wants him to be the leader of the team. 

I think that the loss of Liles has really hurt the Leafs power  play, which a couple of other posters have noted.  I just don't see where their power play is enhanced with Phaneuf out there a lot.  He often just buries his head and shoots, and misses the net, or the shot is blocked.  In fact, it seems that most times after  he has the puck on the blue line on the PP, especially over the past 3 weeks or so, the puck ends up in the corner or the other team has possession.  And as noted in the last game against the Islanders, he stayed out way too long in the last couple of minutes and was so slow getting over to cover the slot after that unlucky bounce that led to the 3rd goal with about 15 seconds left.  There have been some shifts this year by him when he is barely skating because he is so tired, and it often results in a goal or quality scoring chance by the other team.

I think that the best defenceman who could be traded to get something slightly better in return would be Schenn.  And to think that about 2 years ago or so, he himself was deemed an untouchable.

And, as other posters have noted, I think that Gunnar is quite underestimated, and the Leafs should keep him because of his defensive awareness, and the fact that he can play quite a few minutes, and doesn't cost all that much, IMHO.

 

[Zee]

There is absolutely no way they trade Phaneuf (not this season anyway).  After all the attention Burke has put onto his shoulders, continually citing how much better the team is with Phaneuf in the lineup, how can he possibly then turn around and trade his captain?  This is as close to a ridiculous suggestion as I have heard.  It seems likely that Burke isn't even looking to trade away major pieces just yet.  Based on all the rumors floating around, Burke seems hesitant to split up the core of this team because the Leafs are happy with now they're playing together, and how the young guys are all developing together.  Even with a guy like Grabovski, the reporters have all said the Leafs are "listening, but not shopping" him.

 

[the dingo ate my baby]

I think Gunnar is the one that get' move.  Who I'd move obviously depends on the deal.
None are untouchable to me including Phaneuf.

 

[Strangelove]

I think if Schenn nets you a nice player you trade him.  With his hands and mobility I can't see him ever being much better than an average to slightly above average defensive defenseman, but I think at this point there may be GMs out there who still believe he's a future bonafide first pairing D.  I don't think that'll be true in a few years.