Let's Go Blues

Burke's been busy:

1st Trade

Maple Leafs Get:
Dion Phaneuf
Fredrik Sjostrom
Keith Aulie

Flames Get:
Matt Stajan
Niklas Hagman
Jamal Mayers
Ian White

2nd Trade

Maple Leafs Get:
Jean-Sebastien Giguere

Ducks Get:
Vesa Toskala
Jason Blake

... and as a result the Ducks signed Jonas Hiller to a 4-year extension.

Crazy huh.

Not really sure what to think. Why is Toronto (last in the East) trading for some of the biggest veteran names?

Phaneuf is only 24, not sure what you mean by Veteran. Toskala was run out of town, and unloading Blakes contract at the same time was a pretty shrewd move. Cant believe Calgary traded Phaneuf, although they are deep on the blue line and need scoring.

I would have loved to see Phaneuf donning the Note. Also would have loved to see Jason Blake playing for the Blues as well. Huge gets for Toronto. Calgary looks like they're panicking a little bit. Anaheim was just unloading a little bit.

I mean the only thing I can think of is Burke rolling with the "defense wins championships" mantra. He's got a very, very good defensive corps now, with the goaltending to back it up.

All things considered in the modern NHL, that's the hard part.

fargoblues wrote:I would have loved to see Phaneuf donning the Note. Also would have loved to see Jason Blake playing for the Blues as well. Huge gets for Toronto. Calgary looks like they're panicking a little bit. Anaheim was just unloading a little bit.

I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

Although he would probably be a good fit for the do-nothing Blues.

ohio BLUES wrote:

fargoblues wrote:I would have loved to see Phaneuf donning the Note. Also would have loved to see Jason Blake playing for the Blues as well. Huge gets for Toronto. Calgary looks like they're panicking a little bit. Anaheim was just unloading a little bit.

I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

Although he would probably be a good fit for the do-nothing Blues.

Would have gladly parted with Kariya + Jackman/Brewer + 2nd rounder for him.

Maybe the Flames hadn't been watching any Blues games the last 2 seasons

Rumors of Calgary shipping off Jokinen and Prust for Higgins and Kotalik have been going about... but I guess the counter-rumor is Kotalik doesnt want to wave his no trade clause.

Calgary is stirring the pot.

WaukeeBlues wrote:
Maybe the Flames hadn't been watching any Blues games the last 2 seasons

Hopefully they have dish.

ohio BLUES wrote: I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

I heard he's a cancer in the locker room.

That's all it took for Phaneuf?

I guess Stajan's the centerpiece, but is he really much better than a guy like Steen or McClement? He's a solid 2nd center on his best day. Hagman's past his prime and is little more than a supplemental scorer. Jamal is Jamal. Ian White's a solid player, but by no means a difference maker. He's a solid 2nd team PP quarterback and that's about it.

That's a poopoo platter of 2nd and 3rd liners for arguably the most talented young D-man in the league? Hell, the Flames even gave up a solid prospect in Aulie.

I hate to do it, but "where you you Leeeeeeeeery?!?!"

That's a package we easily could have, and should have, trumped.

Prngr44 wrote:

ohio BLUES wrote: I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

I heard he's a cancer in the locker room.

I'm in a keeper league with some die-hard Leaf's fans and they think hes one of the most selfish players they've ever seen. None of them were sad to see him go.

Oz-iz-God wrote:That's all it took for Phaneuf?

I guess Stajan's the centerpiece, but is he really much better than a guy like Steen or McClement? He's a solid 2nd center on his best day. Hagman's past his prime and is little more than a supplemental scorer. Jamal is Jamal. Ian White's a solid player, but by no means a difference maker. He's a solid 2nd team PP quarterback and that's about it.

That's a poopoo platter of 2nd and 3rd liners for arguably the most talented young D-man in the league? Hell, the Flames even gave up a solid prospect in Aulie.

I hate to do it, but "where you you Leeeeeeeeery?!?!"

That's a package we easily could have, and should have, trumped.

When I was reading a report on TSN they made a lot out of the fact that Phaneuf wasn't really getting any better in Calgary- almost like he was playing 70-80% of his potential and was fine with it. This trade was justified as him needing to get a change and hopefully actually, really, improve.

And yea we could've beat that deal but it's not like the Calgary GM emailed the 28 others going "anyone wanna top this?" And Stajan could be a big player moving forward

That's what I don't get. Is moving to a bad team going to really motivate Phaneuf? Some players are special because they have a hunger that drives them. Oshie without the hustle and drive is nothing. Ovetchkin without the passion is a 30 goal guy. Some players have raw talent and some need that internal fire to succeed. When the fire goes, they lose their specialness.

I'm guessing he didn't get along with people who were bigger then he was. (cough cough Iginla)

It seems like a small price to get him, but from what I understand, the real gem of the bunch is Ian White.

I honestly have no idea about the quality of any of the Leafs players, since I really don't pay attention to other teams like I used too.

Prngr44 wrote:

ohio BLUES wrote: I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

I heard he's a cancer in the locker room.

I see what you did there.

the knob wrote:

Prngr44 wrote:

ohio BLUES wrote: I dunno, Jason Blake seems like the epitome of a do-nothing NHLer.

I heard he's a cancer in the locker room.

I see what you did there.

At least SOMEBODY did.