This is a great pick up for the senators on the blue line…
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The blockbuster, nine-player deal between Toronto and Ottawa on Tuesday could have far-reaching effects beyond the two teams involved. Cowen, 25, is a former first-round draft pick (ninth over all in 2009) who has steadily worsened since his rookie season; this year he’s been a healthy scratch for long stretches. “It’s a new chapter of my career and my life”. Phaneuf has had a solid season for the Leafs, a team quite obviously playing for a draft pick.
The main benefits from this trade are that Ottawa get to improve their defensive situation, whilst Toronto get to continue to revamp their team. Bozak, the team’s second-leading scorer with 31 points, took an elbow to the head from Ottawa’s Mika Zibanejad in the first period Saturday as the Maple Leafs began their trek with a 6-1 loss and exited the contest. “We expect him to be the player he is”.
It’s one thing for the Maple Leafs to have an interest in Stamkos and to put themselves in a position to go after him in the event he is available.
“That’s part of pro sport, you play against guys, you battle against them, you respect them and a few days later you’re in the same room”, Phaneuf said. Senators forward MacArthur said he had been asked about Phaneuf’s character in the past, but never imagined anything like this would happen. Karlson stays as the number one defensemen for the Senators, and they get, in my opinion, one of the top number two or three defenders in the league. “(Phaneuf is) a real good person. The deals of Greening, Cowen and Michalek were a problem in Ottawa, but they don’t especially matter for Toronto – all three contracts expire next year, well before the Leafs will be ready to contend again, and Cowen’s even carries a rare cap credit if the Leafs buy him out.
The future: Senators GM Bryan Murray said Tuesday that he thinks Lindberg will play with the Leafs next season and there’s quite a bit of buzz to back that up. From the day he signed that deal, after Phaneuf was prematurely and improperly made captain, he was judged more on salary than performance and neither seemed right. Phaneuf had the respect of his goalie and with that deserves a break from the fans who lived to bash him.
Phaneuf has another five years left on his contract, averaging $7 million per season. Hardly memorable or fashionable, which is not unlike Dion Phaneuf’s time in Toronto. He chatted with new teammates during the skate, including some apparent strategy with Ceci, and wondered aloud to Senators personnel about the departure time of the team bus. The trade is highly interesting in the cap age in that it’s pretty much a wash with Milan Michalek who has been injured or disappointing since being resigned and the much maligned Jared Cowan for Phaneuf.
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Interesting, Phaneuf was in the midst of cobbling together quite a good season under Mike Babcock. “I can’t thank the organization there enough for everything that they did for me over my time there”, Phaneuf said. “I know what I have to do”.
