For the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that has not made the playoffs since the 2003-2004 season, and has been without a captain since Mats Sundin left in 2008. Why is Dion Phaneuf the right person to man the C? Phaneuf was a highly touted prospect going 9th overall to Calgary in the 2003 NHL Draft. He had two great seasons for the Red Deer Rebels, and when he got the call in 2005 to join the Flames he did not disappoint. Phaneuf put up twenty goals and forty-nine points in his rookie year, coming third in the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) race, behind winner Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. Phaneuf followed his outstanding rookie season with fifty points in 2006 and sixty points in 2007. He was being “groomed” to take over the Captains duty in Calgary after Jarome Iginla left. But things for Phaneuf quickly faltered. A man known for his big hits, and his shot from the point, was being accused for his work ethics both on and off the ice. After a breakout year in 2007 Phaneuf followed it with a sub-par 2008 campaign that saw him put up his lowest totals in his career. Phaneuf has been talked about as one of the worst NHL players to give interviews according to The Hockey News. As his one-liners, and lack of enthusiasm give little information on anything, which is not good entering a Toronto market that feasts on how the Leafs fair. General Manager Darryl Sutter always had a long-term plan with Phaneuf as he signed him to a six-year deal worth 6.5 million dollars a season after his breakout year in 2007. Since then he has come nowhere close to expectations. After the contract extension, Phaneuf told the media “I’m excited about the prospect of playing another six years in Calgary, In fact, I never thought I would be playing anywhere else. I am proud to be a member of this organization and will continue to concentrate on the job at hand - making and advancing in the playoffs this year and for years to come.” Fast-forward to January 1st 2010, Dion Phaneuf tells reporters he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 7-player deal with a black eye! Now, it was never released why Phanuef’s eye was black, but speculation has said that it was because he got in a fight with Iginla and Conroy. Since the trade Phaneuf has been looked as a Leafs saviour, but with his big hits and the shot from the point, he reminds Leaf fans and the media of a guy they ran out of town in Bryan McCabe.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had not made the playoffs in five years, and management felt it was time to change things up adding a Captain since Sundin left, but the question was “Who will it be?” Before the Phaneuf trade it seemed that the Leafs might go a few years without a Captain, to see who steps up, and is able to withstand the extensive media coverage on the Leafs. Tomas Kaberle, seemed like the most viable option, but he was supposed to be moved in this past year’s draft. He still remains with the team heading into this season. Phil Kessel already had the pressure of being traded for two 1st round picks to Boston. One of them being 2nd overall pick in this past years draft Tyler Seguin, that Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, and more importantly General Manager Brian Burke did not want to give it to him. So who was it going to be? The second longest Maple Leaf Luke Schnen who enters his third NHL season, and has not played a full season yet. It seems like although die-hard Leaf fans will tell you that Phaneuf is the right man for the job, that it was a last resort, for a team that is a) young and b) rebuilding.
But Phanuef’s stature and strength is what Brian Burke loves. Since joining the NHL Phaneuf has made 2 All-Star appearances. Was an early favourite to join Team Canada in 2010, he did not crack the lineup, or the taxi squad, and ever since his extension his point totals have dwindled and his plus minus has sky rocketed in the wrong way. He has not made it out of the first round of the playoffs. He still remains one of the top defenseman in goals since he entered the NHL in 2005 and he did however win a gold and silver medal with Team Canada at the World Juniors. He has also been nominated for the Calder Trophy in 2006 and the Norris Trophy in 2008. All of these awards happening after this extension. They say for some players a change of scenery is the best thing possible, the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping this is one of those times.
No comments:
Post a Comment