Daisy may I suggest you remove emotion from your opinion? Tell you why because if you did you would realize there's not a single player in this organization including the love affair for Reilly, Nylander that aren't available for a trade.
Wait?
what?
I know everyone is available for a trade
At the state in which this team left off last season there's no untouchables but your also not going to just give people away like the way the popular opinion is that Phanuef, Kessel are out the door guaranteed.
I never said I would give them away. (I might have said it during a game day or something when i was really mad, or something, I'll grant you that), but even a few posts up what I said in regards to moving Dion, if it were me, I'd be contacting the teams that showed interest (DET/ANA/LA) and ask for Larkin or Mantha, Shea Theodore, Toffoli or Pearson. And start from there.
Both of these guys aren't freaking Tyler Bozak. They're good players. Good players of any age is important during a rebuild rather people care to understand this or not it's a fact. You don't want your talented kids on Islands on there own like we've done to Kadri these past few years and expected progression and improvement.
I know that. and I've said that. constantly. This is why when people were all like "oh my god I can't believe we signed Robidas for that much money." I had said (and have said all year) every time Rielly, Gardiner, or any young defenseman opens their mouth and says "Robidas is teaching me XYZ, and I'm learning so much from then." that is worth the 3 million for 3 years. (it sucks that he didn't play well either, and I think with an actual chance to train and to have camp he should be better).
I have always stated we needed better support for the players that are coming up.
Kessel and Phanuef hold value and are signed to long term deals as much as people let themselves get emotional and don't allow themselves to think rationally the LEAFS DON'T HAVE TO TRADE EITHER GUY, you can fish them around that still doesn't mean they'll get traded and to tell you the truth I wouldn't even put the bait out I'd let teams call me instead.
That is fair. i wouldn't. i'd be pro-active. but that's me. i'm also not a GM so maybe I'm wrong.
I personally - emotion-less free as you asked - think you need to move on from them as soon as we are able when there is a good deal available. I never once wavered from this stance. That is my opinion. that's what I would do. I have also said, It would not surprise me one iota if they came back, and if they came back the year after that. It took Buffalo 4 years to get rid of some of their most highest paid contracts, I said that from the get-go.
These aren't get the best you can get variety of players, Kessel isn't Semin & Phanuef isn't Franson. Both will only be moved for the same reason why a Reilly would get moved that the trade offer makes sense.
I know that..never insinuated that they were.
Now that we're on this talk about fishing the guy to fish hard in the trade market is JVR. This guy IMO is worth more in a trade now then he's worth to the organization. Selling high is a tactic that should be something explored rather than selling just to get rid of players.
I've been saying that since November that we should be trading JVR.
but once again. I never said I would just get "rid" of anyone.
the question was asked, now that people apparently want to be here now that Babcock is here, does that change your mind. My answer is no. If the players wanted out - (for whatever reason i'm not going to go into the whole ins and outs of why that's their decision), then I - as a fan, don't want them here. I want people who want to play for my team, regardless if Babcock, or Santa Claus was the head coach. that might sound silly or childish, or not logical, but it's how I feel. It's the same way when people "request" a trade. they could be requesting a trade to better their career - which is fine, I get that - but at the same time it means you don't want to play for my team. so why would i want you here if you don't want to play for my team?
that might sound emotional or doesn't make sense, and that's fine - i don't think I'm articulating it right or properly.
If management decides that keeping Dion Phaneuf for the entire length of his contract is the best course of action. I will trust management. If Phaneuf comes out during fan fest or day one of camp or game 55 and goes, I am 100 percent committed to this process then fine. then I will back him up on that.
I don't know - however, if the Leafs were trying to get Dion traded at deadline (and it 'could have been done') that all of a sudden the management team aren't going to
consider moving him out if the deal is a good one. if the Leafs feel it is fair - then it is fair. Hunter etc aren't just going to take back crap. I get that, and I trust that. I am also prepared for the fact that the return could be a "Dubinsky" like return that doesn't look sexy at the forefront but it pays off dividends in the long run. a lot of people don't like that idea/concept and that's where millage varies.
My personal belief is - Dion is not a player that will be "better with age" so capitalize now. if Management doesn't think so or feels they can wait - then i trust that.
i love analogies 
