The Flyers of five years ago would have done that, but not anymore.
Advertisement
The Leafs were without the services of captain and former Flames’ defenseman Dion Phaneuf along with forward Matt Frattin, who were part of a massive nine player trade earlier in the day between Toronto and Ottawa.
“Hey, Toronto just ditched a huge salary”. It was under Phaneuf’s leadership that the team ingloriously refused to “salute” fans after a game they had won. We can see exactly what the Leafs are doing here. “I mean I think we’ll be okay, but it always hurts when you lose a guy like Dion”.
A massive trade between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators has just been reported. The Senators sit dead last in the National Hockey League with 170 goals conceded, and while some of that falls on the shoulders of Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond, the majority falls on a weak defensive corps beyond Karlsson. Sending him packing now, is building from the dollar signs out, opening roster spots and making salary manoeuvrings possible. With Phaneuf locked in the team will have stability as well which will help the development of home town boy Cody Ceci.
Of course, there’s a real question mark about Ottawa’s defence now. Are they overvaluing their current team?
That momentum helped make the trade happen.
The Sens and Flyers are pretty similar teams right now.
On Tuesday, good luck arrived, and the Leafs are now free of the only truly bad contract they had left on their books.
Ahead 2-1 after the opening 20 minutes, Calgary surged in front by three on goals by Ferland and Hamilton. Let us know in the comments. It’d be lucky. A Cinderella story.
“It’s a fresh start for me”, Phaneuf said as teammates grouped around excitedly to watch their newest defenceman speak.
Leivo got one back late in the second and Gardiner’s goal at 8:37 of the third set up a furious finish. With the Jets slipping out of playoff contention, there was speculation that they would look to trade the big blueliner. I was kind of in and out a little bit after that hit, just furious.
Sure, maybe their core is further along than that of the Flyers. Lindberg is still on a three year entry-level contract.
And they’re not a team like Anaheim that’s better than their season-long numbers indicate.
The Maple Leafs responded 44 seconds later on the same power play, when Holland tipped a point shot from Frank Corrado past Hiller.
Then there’s the issue of Phaneuf himself. Did you get all that? “It’s nice having him here and I expect him to get more comfortable playing on this team”.
Today, that strategy paid off for the Leafs. Ottawa receives a 30 year old Dion Phaneuf who has been a captain since 2010, along with some good young prospects.
Also with this deal, no salary will be retained by either team. Everyone, to a man, has something to prove what they’re worth and what they can bring.
Under Hextall, the Flyers have focus. They have only seven picks for 2017 and that includes the choice from Ottawa.
Advertisement
Tobias Lindberg is the final player of this deal going to Toronto. It’s refreshing, and worth the reminder.
