- CapGeek: Dion Phaneuf has a no-movement clause (voided after trade to Toronto) for current 2013-14 contract. His new contract (seven years and $49 million) has a no-movement clause and a modified no-trade clause in which he submits a 12-team trade list.
- Mike Johnston of SportsNet: Johnston thinks the Maple Leafs would have to retain some salary if they were to trade Dion Phaneuf. Johnston lists some possible trade destinations for Phaneuf:1. Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers blueline is a mess. The Oilers have lots of young talent including Sam Gagner, who has long been rumored to interest the Leafs. Potential trade chips: Gagner, Nail Yakupov and David Perron.
2. Dallas Stars: The Stars would like to add a top one or two top defenseman according to GM Jim Nill. Potential trade chips: Alex Goligoski and Rich Peverley.
3. Winnipeg Jets: A change of scenery for Evander Kane may do him well. The Leafs may lose Nikolai Kulemin and Mason Raymond to free agency and may need to bring in a winger. The Jets power play was 25th last year. Potential trade chips: Kane, Dustin Byfuglien and Mark Stuart.
4. San Jose Sharks: Dan Boyle and Scott Hannan are pending UFAs. Marc-Edouard Vlasic could use some veteran help. With the way the Sharks season ended, they could look to move out one of their veterans. Potential trade chips: Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns.
5. Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche need to improve their blueline. If the Avalanche are able to re-sign Paul Stastny, they may need to trade one of their young stars so they don’t run into salary cap trouble. Potential trade chips: Ryan O’Reilly and P.A. Parenteau.
6. Calgary Flames: Brian Burke is a big fan of Phaneuf. Do the Flames have anyone the Leafs would be interested in? Potential trade chips: Jiri Hudler and Mikael Backlund.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Leafs GM Dave Nonis isn’t going to trade Dion Phaneuf unless he gets a significant return. Hormby notes some scenarios:1. If they are going to trade Phaneuf, and if possible, keep him away from the Eastern conference. It shrinks your options though. The Sharks and Oilers are teams looking for depth on the blueline.
2. The Leafs can let teams approach them, especially after free agency starts and some UFAs come off the market.
3. If they can’t make a deal, they could look to reduce Phaneuf’s profile in Toronto. They could look at bringing in another workhorse defenseman, possibly by trading Jake Gardiner or a forward. They could also change captains or go to a rotating captain.
- David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: If Dion Phaneuf’s contract was for two or three years and not seven, he’d be more attractive. The Oilers could use a defenseman that plays tough minutes, but Staples isn’t sure if Phaneuf could handle being the top defensive defensman in Edmonton. If he can, he may be a good partner for Justin Schultz. Staples doesn’t hate the idea of the Oilers looking at Phaneuf, as long as they don’t give up a major piece to get him. He doesn’t see how Phaneuf’s contract warrants a big return.
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “Based on teams wants and needs I’d think there will be more teams interested in Phaneuf than Spezza. D is at a premium”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “No doubt about that . There is always a team willing to make a bold move & that’s Florida”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “It really has been a tough fit for Dion here to the point where a lot of teams tell me they want to put him Dion in a position to succeed and not fail. Around the league ppl think Dion is asked to do too much in Toronto … playing the toughest competition, QB both the PP and PK.”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “Right now Dion will need to consent to a deal or else he isn’t going anywhere. On July 1st he has to submit a list of 10-12 teams” … “You would think that Dion’s list would only be contenders. Teams like SJ or Stl may be interested with $ coming back” … “For example, Blues would need to move out $ like Shattenkirk who just signed a new deal & Leafs need someone to replace the minutes”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “Everybody has warts but how long did it take TB to get rid of Lecavalier? Vinny was such a polarizing guy like Dion is” … “The moment Vinny was bought out the Lecavalier sweepstakes began and teams lined up to try and sign him”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “I think Shanahan may not be sold on Phaneuf going forward but there is a lot of value out there for Phaneuf” … “Dion’s just not the type of guy who should be a #1 or captain. There is a lot of value for teams that want to slot him properly” … “This is all post-Shanahan internal meetings.” … “Let’s face it, when you make your decision to keep your coach, then the changes come down to personnel.” … “Those weren’t Shanahan’s moves or signings. Shanahan has the approval to do what is necessary moving forward”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “The bottom line is, Leafs don’t see the true value of Phaneuf at that $ & they don’t see him bringing them to the promised land” … “It’s not easy to find D in this league and not many guys can play the mins Dion can. There is value there” … “This is basically Shanahan looking at the team and needing to make changes and they’ve established it won’t be the coach”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “What I know, is what has been reported about these Phaneuf rumours, could have been reported a month ago or 6 months ago” … “Nonis makes it abundantly clear that anyone is available at a price.” … “What we know in terms of Phaneuf is nothing has changed, nothing is new. He is not on the block or being shopped” … “Would the Leafs move Phaneuf? ABSOLUTELY. But it has to be for the right offer. I’ve been told no trade talks since the deadline” … “Anytime you tweet or report something that is borderline sensational and it’s got a Leaf logo wrapped around it … guess what? We have to talk about it for three or four days. That’s just the way it is in the NHL”