It's a Canadian Game

Yea to me I think two years roughly 3-3.5 per is a good number, doesn't over pay him doesn't under pay him and the term gives the flexibility of both Jared and the Senators to see what he can do and what kind of player and contract he can attract as he matures and gets better

I agree, but the deal hasn't been made yet.. thats just what the Sens have offered him nothing has been signed or confirmed yet.. So it will be interesting what happens

The Sens have offered restricted free agent Jared Cowen an 8 year $28 million dollar deal. Cowen is obviously a young talented defenseman that the Sens would like to keep around for the foreseeable future. Cowen has made it clear that the term is more important to him than the dollar amount per year is. However, I find this deal kind of odd for both sides. For the Sens they would be committing to Cowen who, despite his great potential and skill, has yet to play very much at the pro-level and fully matured. So, I find it interesting they would be willing to give him an 8 year deal. On the other hand the deal works out to pay Cowen an average of $3.5 million per year (I assume the deal structures it differently). For Cowen I find this interesting because I think if he can play very well the next couple seasons, he could probably mark up his value to something greater than $3.5 million. To me it seems like a shorter term would work best for both sides, though it seems it's what Cowen wants, what do others think?

I agree I think they could be dangerous looking at the top 6 of JVR-Bozak-Kessel and Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson, thats one of the most solid top 6s in the league. Leafs outplayed Boston most of the series except for game one and parts of games throughout the series (never an entire game). The Leafs had a better if not equal head to head record against every other top 8 in the East. People can say what they want about the Leafs now, but they are no longer a pushover and I think a lot more playoff hockey for the buds is coming.

I just think that Kadri needs to watch not having a Subban like contract dispute, where he asks for a ton of money when he has only played one decent season in the NHL. There is no doubt he will be and is incredibly talented, but he needs to prove that this season wasn't a fluke. He will make the big bucks in a few years but as a sophomore he isn't god yet.

Yea, that likely seems like the best option for them right now. What I am afraid of is Kadri being a little too greedy too soon. There is no question he is a very talented player and will only improve, but when he said in an interview on Sunday, "I can't control the cap I can only control how I play" that to me said that he thinks he is deserving of a lot more money than Nonis is willing to give him.

On Sunday August 11th Nazem Kadri hosted his first ever charity golf tournament just outside his hometown of London, ON. Of course with the media all over the event, questions about his current contract negotiations with Dave Nonis and company arose. With just weeks until training camp opens up and teams get ready for the 2013-14 season, Kadri remains a restricted free agent and it seems that the two sides may not be as close as he would like. Just weeks ago Kadri made it public that he was not worried about how the negotiations were going and seemed very confident that a deal would get done. However, it seems that these same calm feelings may be starting to fade. The Leafs have just over $4 million in cap space left to sign both Kadri and Cody Franson, two players that were very key to the Leafs improved season that saw them make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Kadri finished second in team scoring behind only Phil Kessel, while Franson lead all Maple Leaf blue-liners in points with 29. Franson's 29 points were one better than captain Dion Phaneuf's 28 points. During the 2013 season Kadri made $1.7 million while Franson brought in $1.2 million. It is clear that both players are due for a raise and unfortunately that is what is making negotiations so hard for both the players and the Maple Leafs' management. However, it is already believed that in the seasons following the 2013-14 season the cap will once again rise, which Kadri says he already understands. Now if both players are serious about staying put in Toronto and about receiving a raise then I believe there could be one way to make everyone happy. I believe that the Leafs could offer both players one year deals which include a slight raise from last year and then once the cap increases both players can look at receiving the pay increases they feel they deserve from the Leafs organization. This way the players would still get increases from last year, but would still be under the $4 million dollar mark. This is not a perfect way to solve the problem and it actually would have to have both players working together as well as with management to make it happen. If both players would not agree to this then the idea would crumble, but if they could agree it might be the best way to appease everyone for the time being. Kadri is coming off his first complete season (hard to say since it was a shortened season) and the same can be said about Franson as he played under a coach in Carlyle who kept him in the lineup. So does this mean that we should take this shortened season in a smaller light than a complete 82 game season? These are things likely all be talked about behind closed doors among the players and Nonis. This would also work out best for both sides as it would see both players play a full 82 game season and give management to see how the players can produce in a full season where they will also play against the entire league and not just their own conference. Kadri will also benefit this upcoming season as with the buyout this off-season of Mikhail Grabovski, Kadri will likely take over as the second line centreman, likely between Lupul and newly acquired Clarkson. This is a trio that could press for first line minutes and points, something that could drive up Kadri's price tag in the following years. Another key piece of the puzzle that will soon come into affect, if it hasn't already, is the contract of Phil Kessel. It has become quite clear that the Maple Leafs need to work on signing Kessel to a long-term contract extension and seeing as though Kessel has been one of the most productive goal scorers in the NHL in the past few years he will also be in demand for a pay increase. So, paying too much for Kadri and Franson is something management will not want to do if it puts Kessel's services in jeopardy. Kadri and Franson are both highly talented, important, and still young players that the Leafs would love to have back, but if they can't find a way to play within the money the Leafs have, either one or both players might lose their spot with the organization. So for now negotiations will continue, but if this summer has told us anything it might be that someone, whether it be management or the players, is going to have to give in, but with just $4 million in cap space there is only so much that management can do. Follow me on Twitter @Craig_Hagerman

yea, but I wouldnt say his skating is any worse than Dion.. I think getting rid of Dion could free up space and allow money for more assets. I also think given the chance Franson could step up.. he's still very young and has a bit of maturing to do, I think he could still grow into a more elite dman

He's stupid if he keeps Phaneuf and ships Franson. Franson is better and will save the team millions of dollars

The other thing that really sparked this question to me was the fact that rumours of trading Franson are coming up and a few on trading phaneuf. To me Phaneuf is way overpaid and although he does play against the big boys and what not he's too slow, doesn't shutdown players as well as he should, doesn't hit the scoreboard as much as he should. He is a great second line d-man or even first if he isn't given such a big role, but I feel for the money he is making and the role he is given he should contribute more. If you're going to make high end money you should be either an offensive or defensive machine and he isn't really either. As for Gardiner give him a couple more years and he will be dominant. He is great now but still more to learn and work on, but obviously will be a great defenseman.. arguably their most valuable asset.

yea it really sucks thats there will be no coverage I had my fingers crossed and being from Barrie I was really looking forward to seeing Ekblad in action! oh well giver boys!!

This is a very simple question that I am posting and I am curious to hear what other fans have to say. Who do you think is the Leafs best defenceman? For what it's worth I think it's easily Cody Franson.. but what do you think?

@flyercanuck that's what happens when you hire your friends

And also Slava Voynov and Bryan Bickell

Oops I had someone tell me he was a free agent, but yea def makes you wonder if a buyout is imminent, especially after his work with the TSN panel as of the last few weeks. It sees to me it's always a gig that players, coaches, and GMs look into to prove that they still know the game well and can be assets. On another note I saw a stat today that Patrick Kane has just 3 goals in 28 games since scoring that overtime cup winner against the Flyers in 2010.

I've been hearing Ruff's name around a lot of places such as New York, Vancouver, and Dallas but I oddly haven't heard much in terms of Ron Wilson, which I find odd. It seems Ruff and Vigneault have been names rumoured to be coming close to finding other work with other teams. It will be interesting to see if Wilson's starts getting more attention. I am a Leaf fan and though he never brought us to the post-season I was always a fan of Ron Wilson.