In today's Toronto Star, Feschuk reports that the fight between Phaneuf and Brayden Schenn a few nights ago "fuelled long-held speculation that the tension that exists between Phaneuf and Toronto’s Schenn is a cancerous dressing-room presence."
If this is really long-held speculation, why did we not hear about it at the trade deadline? That would have explained why so many were willing to trade Luke Schenn, a leading hitter, and why the disaster got deeper when the Buds were neither buyers nor sellers... indicating a time when they were lacking confidence in the present, but not giving up on the future.
A proven goalie is #1 objective
If Phaneuf is to retain the captaincy of the Maple Leafs, it would likely be wise to try and get a goalie or a centre/left winger for Schenn. If Dion is to be relieved of the captaincy (think about it though, who else is ready for it? Grabovski? Gardiner?), then he should be the one to be traded. If word gets around that both are on the block pending acceptance of best offer, and great offers come in for both, it could fully clear the dressing room of any lingering effects from the 2011-2012 collapse.
If both Dion and Luke are moved in the offseason, the D before further acquisitions would be:
Gardiner
Gunnarsson
Liles
Franson
Komisarek
Holzer
Blacker
A D coming back via trade and/or a free agent signing would be required if they both go, however if only one of them goes, the team may still want to add another mobile defender, in case Blacker or Holzer isn't ready, and as injury insurance.
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