Abel to Yzerman

Abel to Yzerman

Do You Want Phaneuf?

05/12/2014 at 10:01am EDT

As George Malik pointed out this morning, the names of Jason Spezza and Dion Phaneuf have popped up in the trade rumor talk.

Let's forget about Spezza and concentrate on Phaneuf.

Even though the reports state the Leafs would like to move him out of conference, would you have an interest in Phaneuf wearing the winged-wheel?

If so, what do you give up?

from Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun,

Both Phaneuf and Spezza are on deals worth $49 million US over seven years. The difference: While 2014-15 is the final season of Spezza’s contract, it is the first year for Phaneuf, whose extension was announced while the Leafs were in Michigan prepping for the Jan. 1 Winter Classic at the Big House against the Red Wings....

In terms of Phaneuf, any intrigued teams would be saddled with a long-term contract that runs into the next decade.

Having said that, it should not come as a surprise that the Leafs would be kicking tires around the league to gauge potential interest in the veteran defenceman. Indeed, MLSE president Tim Leiweke, who last month brought in Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan to serve as team president, is not a patient man.

“No one is untradeable,” Leiweke said during a recent radio interview, adding that Shanahan and GM Dave Nonis have the final say on roster decisions.

Having fielded calls on Phaneuf during the season, the Leafs feel there is a market for the captain, making the possibiliy of a deal far moe realistic.

more

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that.

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments