Question for Leafs fans (Phaneuf)

[jmatchett]

I meant to ask this several months ago, but now that we're a handful of games into the season, I'll ask and maybe get a better response.

So far this season, the Leafs have had high highs and low lows unlike most other teams to date. Plainly, what do you think of your captain? I honestly am absolutely astonished he was named captain. His work ethic/playing abilities aside, I have never, EVER seen a player seen so upset to be headed to a team. he could even SAY Toronto in his press conference when he was traded there. He was depressed, unmotivated...he looked dead. And this is the player they named captain? I know that if a player reacted that way after being traded to my team, I wouldn't want him to be captain. How do you guys feel?

 

[will-411]

Actually, I have no problem with the face of Dion Phaneuf as captain, and the energy he brings to the team. He has bought in lock, stock and barrell. Of course he was depressed when he was traded - you're talking a young man from Edmonton who had his only NHL experience in Calgary. As a Westerner, he was probably scared of what living in Toronto meant... all of those boogeyman stories about how Toronto is Canadas evil empire and so on...

The problem I have with Phaneuf as captain is his play. This guy is selfish - he pinches 50% of the time, has a hard time passing up a shot on the powerplay and is probably in the bottom 50% of the league in facing 1 on 1 situations. He does good things mind you, but his penchant for making mistakes is too high for a first line guy, because in todays NHL, it's mistakes that cause goals.

Cory

 

[DredJAw]

This is complete revisionist history and it bothers me to no end. You never saw a player so upset to be traded eh? Maybe you missed Ryan Smyth in tears after leaving Edmonton. Anyways....

Here's exactly what Phaneuf said at the time of the deal:

"It was definitely a shock, but I'm very excited about going to Toronto and being a Maple Leaf.

''The toughest part is saying goodbye to your buddies,'' he said. ''It was a great four-and-a-half years in Calgary. But it's part of the business.

''It's a cliche, if Wayne Gretzky can get traded anyone can get traded," he said. "I was very surprised, but on the other hand I'm very excited to be going to the biggest hockey market in the world.''

OH NOES!!!!! I see nothing there that is out of the norm. He's said, exactly, what thousands of others said before (and will say after him).

When the Leafs acquired Phaneuf they went 13-11-2 to end the season last year. A big part was Phaneufs 'gung-ho' attitude. He completed changed the locker room.

After he arrived:

He also gave the team a vocal presence on the ice and in the dressing room.

"Our practices -- it was like going to a church service before he got here," Burke said. "You'd go a whole practice and no one would yell at anyone, no one would yell for the puck."

"As soon as he came in he had a major impact on our room," Wilson said. "I think it was obvious to everybody."

We had such a quiet group and the first day Dion got here, there was a dramatic difference," Burke said. "Because once one guy starts talking, then other guys start talking. I think it made a huge difference in how we played and practised."

"He thought we got pushed around in a game and came right out of the dressing room and barked at me on the way to the weight room: 'We need some bigger forwards in here,' and kept walking," Burke said. "I haven't had too many guys bark at me like that. I didn't mind it and he's right. We do need some bigger forwards."


I could go on, and on, and on.

Forget about his play on the ice. We aren't talking about that. We're talking about his leadership. He COMPLETELY chanegd the culture of the team. He came in, and took over. He rode players. He' barked at Kadri and Schenn (in good ways). Schenn said he pushes him hard every day to get better. He's not afraid to speak up. He's not afraid to say whats on his mind. He's not afraid to take the bull by the horns, and pull.

 

[es_19]

no doubt about his leadership - there are things we don't see behind closed doors.

i was reading an article in the national post yesterday and they made a comment that toronto's powerplay YTD (12.5%) is actually WORSE than last year (14%).

a big part of that is because the primary shot option right now is phaneuf. he has 38 shots, 24 on net, and 0 goals. stralman had a cannon of a shot but we traded him so i would go with either beauchemin, kaberle or one of the forwards for the boom-boom on the powerplay.

 

[jmatchett]

This is complete revisionist history and it bothers me to no end. You never saw a player so upset to be traded eh? Maybe you missed Ryan Smyth in tears after leaving Edmonton. Anyways....

I had no problem at all with what he said. It was the way he said it, the fact that he couldn't even say the word "Toronto." The amount of breaks he took, it seemed like he was trying to put a nice spin on things, like he wanted to say he wasn't happy going to Toronto, but knew he couldn't say it. I'm sure part of it was leaving Western Canada, but I also think part of it was, "Wait; I'm going WHERE!?!?" I saw Wayne Gretzky upset to be traded. I saw Bernie parent upset to be traded. I saw Pat Burrell upset to be traded. It seemed that Dion was more upset with where he was going TO, not where he was going FROM. Just my perspective.

 

[will-411]

Forget about his play on the ice. We aren't talking about that. We're talking about his leadership. He COMPLETELY chanegd the culture of the team. He came in, and took over. He rode players. He' barked at Kadri and Schenn (in good ways). Schenn said he pushes him hard every day to get better. He's not afraid to speak up. He's not afraid to say whats on his mind. He's not afraid to take the bull by the horns, and pull.

Ernie, the concern I have about his play on the ice is directly related to him being the captain. His play needs to be at least solid and as mistake free as possible. The captain has to lead by example with his play on the ice as well.

If the coach is preaching no turnovers in the neutral zone, and the captain goes out and does 4 times in the game, it sends a mixed message. If the coach preaches defence first, pinch only when certain, then you get caught 5 times in a game, you're not being the leader you should be.

That said, I think Dion has the ability to do what he needs to do to make less mistakes - he is a great talent. But if he doesn't improve as time goes on, it definitely undermines his leadership. How can you ask of others what you won't do yourself?

Cory

 

[hadesvengeance]

As far as the "C" goes he's doing his job and the leafs start is a hell of alot better than last year lol.Are all the pieces put in place yet???!!No of course not lol,yet you get people judging every day.I could say alot about a lot of players not doing their part so far on all the teams...Heck I still think we need a tough defencemen, better goalie on the Caps.
When the season is all over then make a judgement and then we'll talk about all the teams as well
As for a players feelings...I don't care as long as he runs people through the boards,puts the puck in the net,stops the puck etc.On the ice is all that matters
mike