Reaction From Around The Community

When a trade of this magnitude comes out, all of our sites usually have to weigh in on the situation.  That being said, here are the reactions from our hockey sites:

Toronto (Pension Plan Puppets)

On the Phaneuf deal

This deal, like the Kessel deal, hinges on Brian Burke's ability to have properly assessed his team. He has decided that White and Stajan are no longer part of the future and brought in an asset that he thinks will improve this team both right now and in the future. All we can do is hope that Burke's evaluation over the past 55 games is better than his evaluation of this team over his first eight months.

On the Giguere deal

This takes away some cap flexibility next year as the Leafs will have almost $47M committed to just 14 players but not one of them is Jason Blake so that's reason enough to smile. Giguere is a massive upgrade on Vesa Toskala, has already spoken to Wilson about mentoring Jonas Gustavsson, and is seen by Burke as an incredible example for the young goaltender to folllow. This is partly about upgrading the goaltending but also about creating a perfect atmosphere for Gustavsson to reach his full potential.

Calgary (Matchsticks And Gasoline)

They have, of course, dealt a significant player - one who may prove to be the best in the deal. Should Dion Phaneuf become the defender many envisioned when he burst onto the scene as a rookie, the Maple Leafs have added a future cornerstone to their roster. The Flames, on the other hand, have Jay Bouwmeester singed long-term and a more proven hard minutes option besides. They also have a bunch of quality defensive prospects waiting in the wings, to say nothing of the emergent Mark Giordano and, now, Ian White. In short, this probably doesn't do the organization much damage, even if Phaneuf does fulfill his promise. On the other hand if he has truly plateaued and is more Jovo than Pronger, then the Flames have moved a millstone of a contract for a decent value return. The downside from Sutter's perspective is limited.

Anaheim (Anaheim Calling)

Toskala, who has underperformed in net since arriving in Toronto, is making 4M this year, but is an unrestricted free agent at season's end.  Blake has 10G and 16A, and is signed into the 2011-2012 season on a 4M cap hit though his salary drops from 4.5M this year to 3M for both next year and its final year.  If Anaheim lets Toskala go at the end of this season, the zero sum effect of the trade is to clear 4M from the Ducks' salary and 2M from their cap hit for next year.

Dallas (Defending Big D)

How does this affect the Dallas Stars? For one, it takes one more veteran goaltender off the market as the trade deadline looms; the same with a big defenseman. Giguere was going to have to be traded, or at the very least bought out, after the Ducks inked Jonas Hiller to a four-year extension yesterday. The Flames, meanwhile, were desperate to free up cap space. Now, Phaneuf certainly wasn't on my radar for players the Stars would target, but it does change the trade landscape a bit.