I agree here.
I really think Shanahan is just being cautious and slow with the deal for Phaneuf...and Anaheim is a great fit, sure. But I think quite a few teams could use him, and it's only smart business for us to be patient and get full value. At any rate, Phaneuf, if he starts the season with the Leafs, won't hurt us terribly in terms of Babcock's required level of effort and defensive acumen. And he'd be a stabiliser, at least until the deadline.
For me trying to read Babcock and the management team's minds however, Bozak and Lupul must be gone before camp (same as Kessel). That's my prediction...and if no one wants Lupul, he could be a buyout even.
I agree with this. I think that given the weak sellers market this off-season and a lack of buyers at this time there isn't a rush to trade Phaneuf. Additionally I wonder if management thinks they can bolster Phaneuf's value by showing the league that in a good team structured system that Babcock employs, that Phaneuf can be very effective and a good player. Finally I doubt they'll want to retain any salary at this rate given the Kessel trade which does make it harder to move (they'll need to find a suitor with a contract going the other way).
All in all it may be another year before we see Phaneuf traded but I think he'll be openly available throughout next season and dealt if the right trade comes along.
I'd be interested to see what the market for Lupul is right now but I doubt it's barely alive. Seems like scoring wingers are cheaper to find in UFA this year and Lupus's contract does make it more difficult. Personally I think he's the last core piece to be moved to the extent where it may not be until the last year of his contract.
Bozak I am hoping will be dealt soon .. He'd have the most value right now for teams looking for a centre on a fair contract. Free agency as set the benchmark for a top 9 centre right in Bozak's contract's range so there will be good value in a trade to be had.
I think it ranks Bozak, Phaneuf, Lupul in who we'll see moved eventually.
Wonder also what management is thinking about Gardiner too