Here's a question: Pronger is signed to a 35+ contract, which means if he retires his contract still counts against the cap. But if he's on LTIR, it doesn't count against the cap. If Pronger decided he couldn't play any more because of his concussions, couldn't he just not retire and they could leave him on LTIR for the next five years? Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here.

yep, mike rathje did the same thing a few years ago. he'll stay on LTIR for the rest of his career w/ the flyers and collect his pay that doesnt count against the cap. its awesome for everyone involved.

I thought they didn't have the 35+ rule until the last year or so?

Either way, the league should probably do something about that since it completely negates the rule, but it would be smart for any team to do it as long as they have the option.

i'm not even 100% sure what the rule is. pronger was 34 when he signed the deal, but i dont think it went into effect until he was 35.

its hard for the league to do something about it. every summer pronger will work out w/ the flyers in an attempt to come back, but then ultimately fail and be put on LTIR. they cant tell the guy to give up.

"Leafs coach Randy Carlyle has players do push-ups if they miss the net during drill in the morning skate" from some tsn twitter. That's what I like to see. Phaneuf is going to lose 40 pounds.

I'm legitimately excited by the prospect that one-third or more of this team will be gone next year.

Lines vs. BUF: Frattin-Bozak-Kessel. MacArthur-Grabovski-Crabb. Ashton-Connolly-Brown. Rosehill-Lombardi-Armstrong.

Man, looking at this lineup makes me sad. Brutal.

I'd be inclined to trade Phaneuf (with the emergence of Gardiner and possibility of Blacker). They got him for nothing basically. When Phaneuf isn't chipping in offensively he's basically Komisarik. Dumping it off the board, bad passes and big hits. Bring in a veteran, solid D to put with Gardiner.

I see no reason to think he can't still improve. His play can certainly be frustrating, but he's still a long way ahead of where he was his last year in Calgary. He isn't earning his whole paycheque right now, but I think he's a valuable asset, and his cap hit will probably diminish his value in a trade. I think right now the best thing to do is stick with him. Maybe once Carlyle's system has more than a few weeks to settle in he'll play a more consistent defensive game... who knows? I think it's too early to put the weight of replacing Phaneuf on Gardiner's shoulders.

U mad?

Man, they are giving it to the leafs kids lol. Does this happen for Edmonton, Columbus, etc? Seems like the leafs raped the dudes wife or something. The media in Toronto must kill a few peoples self esteem every year. Very awkward interviews and questions that were posed mostly as accusations. You wonder why the team spirals downwards when shit hits the fan. The piling on is unbelievable from the media.

I have no problem with reporters asking hard questions, but that guy comes off as nothing more than an angry fan demanding answers. The problem is he's asking questions that really can't be answered. What the hell is Carlyle supposed to say to "Did you know it would be this bad?" I actually really like how Carlyle answered it. "Five wins in 24 games? I've only been here 20 days..." The reporter came prepared with a few talking points and didn't care whether they made sense.

Pretty good last 24 hours, bros.

Schenn for Van Reimsdyk has me torn up inside. It makes so much sense, but I really like Luke Schenn and hate to see him on the Flyers.

Had to be done now, after the drafting D strategy. No point in having that many D. A guy like Schenn can be replaced (hits/blocks). His skating wasn't getting much better and he still was awful at getting the puck out of the zone. He wasn't growing at all as a Leaf so it was time to cut ties.

Now, he will likely play well for the flyers I imagine. Pairing him with a decent vet like timo perhaps would settle him down. JVR is a rare player with tons of potential. I loved the move. They still need a big C but that will take time. Saw an article saying it was clearing out one of Kulemin/McArthur to Vancouver in a Luongo deal (if Canucks ever man up and do something).

I hope they don't man up and do something that stupid

I would be very disappointed if Kulemin went the other way in a Luongo deal.

MUSTACHE MEN. RAPE.

he is your current leader in games played as a leaf