Phaneuf deal promises more patchwork, not prosperity for Leafs

Pain, prolonged.

The Toronto Maple Leafs slipped out from under another long-term contract commitment Monday, shipping Dion Phaneuf to the provincial rival Ottawa Senators in a truly stunning, and potentially symbiotic nine-player deal.

And also one that proves that this regime won't cut a corner in its attempt to resuscitate the franchise.

Phaneuf has been a consummate professional since Mike Babcock's arrival, acting, as a captain should, as an extension of his coach. He appeared to truly embrace and be successful in this disciple role, eager to shelter and shepherd the young players on the roster in this transitory phase in Leafs history.

But a good soldier isn't enough in the NHL - not at $7 million per. Because while it may have appeared as though Phaneuf's insulating role was important for the growth and development of Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and the future for the Maple Leafs, his head was to be chopped at first chance to shed the $35 million left on his contract.

For Maple Leafs fans and the like, his departure is viewed as a coup - some comparing it to the David Clarkson Houdini act last season. And to some extent it is. Phaneuf, 30, will always perform below the standard his contract has set, is certainly on the downturn of his career, and won't cost another penny to the Leafs. But for fans who've grown tired of an inferior product, his exit, and the pieces acquired in return, doesn't offer nourishment.

Not now, and not for next season.

Toronto's lineup for the Calgary Flames is only the start of what Maple Leafs fans must endure for the final 10 weeks of the season. But with Jared Cowen, Colin Greening, and Milan Michalek taken back in the Phaneuf deal, there's no promise it won't be more patchwork.

The three are, at best, talk-up, build-up assets - much in the same of the glut of middle-six and bottom-pairing defensemen currently making up the Leafs' roster - and were problems that will actually combine to earn $4 million more than Phaneuf next season.

The dollars don't mean much to the Leafs, but employing these three does mean the misfits won't move out until the summer of 2017, when these deals synchronously expire. Until this turnover completes, and even with an Auston Matthews potentially joining a William Nylander, this team simply will not have enough talent to turn the corner.

Patience, though, should pay off. With Phaneuf's freight off the books (making $19 million annually between him, Clarkson, and Kessel), and Gardiner now holding down the longest single-player commitment on the Leafs' payroll, the team is going to have millions upon millions to spend in free agency and in the trade market over the next five seasons.

And of course, the wherewithal to throw max dollars at Steven Stamkos.

It's easy to circle back to the Tampa Bay Lightning star, who, still without an extension, is inching closer and closer to unrestricted free agency. But other than being able to keep a "C" on his sweater, what would entice him to leave a Stanley Cup contender to join a team chalk full of fringe NHL players?

Trading Phaneuf isn't the first move, but one of the final strokes for the Maple Leafs in pressing reset. And while they won't have trouble finding players to pay millions to wear their uniform, a bare cupboard, and a promise of things to come, might not be the most attractive destination for the utmost of elite.