Maple Leafs’ Forgotten Ones: Dion Phaneuf

Dion Phaneuf is now a 38-year-old former NHL defenseman who, in complete, performed 14 seasons. He was a big defenseman at 6-foot-4 and 222 kilos. He was chosen by Calgary Flames within the first spherical (ninth general) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Phaneuf performed components of seven NHL seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, coming to Toronto in a commerce from the Flames through the 2009-10 season. He grew to become a workforce captain younger in his profession. He was ultimately traded from the Maple Leafs to the Ottawa Senators through the 2015-16 season. 

Phaneuf was not the primary of the Maple Leafs’ polarizing defensemen, and he’ll most likely not be the final. Many followers appreciated his hard-hitting, bodily type of play mixed along with his offensive skills, his management, and his work ethic. However, others have been crucial of his efficiency, notably through the workforce’s regular-season struggles to even put collectively a successful season.

Related: Revisiting the Dion Phaneuf Trade to Ottawa

As effectively, when the Maple Leafs inked a seven-year, $49 million contract with Phaneuf on Dec. 31, 2013, that added gas to the followers’ ire. 

Phaneuf’s Time with the Maple Leafs

Looking at a summary of the Maple Leafs’ regular-season records from the 2009-10 season to the 2015-16 season exhibits simply how poorly the workforce performed throughout his time with them. Forget the playoffs, even successful through the common season was tough. 

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In reality, throughout Phaneuf’s time with the workforce, the Maple Leafs by no means made the postseason. Overall, the workforce struggled to play constantly good hockey. Its finest season was throughout 2012-13, however that season was strike-shortened. 

During Phaneuf’s time with the Maple Leafs, a few of his teammates on the workforce included Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak, Jake Gardiner, and James Reimer. Even Morgan Rielly was a younger defenseman with the workforce when Phaneuf performed.

Phaneuf Was Named Maple Leafs’ Youngest Captain in History

Phaneuf was a workforce chief, who was thought-about probably the greatest defensemen within the NHL. In reality, when he was elected as a starter for the 2011-12 NHL All-Star Game, he was the primary Toronto All-Star starter since Mats Sundin and Curtis Joseph have been each named starters for Team World and Team North America in 2000. 

Related: Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Dion Phaneuf?

Phaneuf was named the 18th captain and the youngest captain in franchise historical past. At that point, he had been a Maple Leafs’ participant for lower than 5 months and joined such greats as Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, Darryl Sittler, Dave Keon, and George Armstrong to put on the “C.” 

Phaneuf, a local of Edmonton, captained the workforce from June 2010 till he was traded to the Senators in Feb. 2016. After he was traded, the Maple Leafs went three seasons with no captain. That modified when John Tavares was chosen to fill the function in 2019.

Phaneuf Was a Leader on a Team That Didn’t Win

Although his time with the workforce began on a excessive observe, it didn’t final. The workforce’s document throughout his tenure was not robust and his contract was one of many highest on the workforce. Those two issues led to criticism from followers. Overall, Phaneuf’s fame amongst Toronto followers was combined throughout his tenure with the workforce.

Phaneuf’s contract was a seven-year deal value $49 million, which he signed on Dec. 31, 2013. The contract had a median annual worth (AAV) of $7 million. At the time, it was one of many largest contracts within the league for any defenseman and one of many highest on the Maple Leafs’ roster. The contract represented a big dedication from the group to Phaneuf as its franchise participant and chief.

Related: Dion Phaneuf Trade End of a (Disappointing) Era

During his time with the workforce, Phaneuf was thought-about a strong defenseman, identified for his offensive and defensive skills. He was a heavy hitter and shot blocker. He led the Maple Leafs in ice time, and he was identified for his exhausting shot and skill to attain on the facility play. 

However, critics argued that Phaneuf’s play was inconsistent. Some believed he didn’t stay as much as expectations, particularly given the scale of his contract. In addition, he was a pacesetter of a workforce that skilled little success. As losses mounted and successful seasons eluded the workforce, his recognition diminished. 

Phaneuf’s tenure was not a profitable seven years for the Maple Leafs, and the workforce skilled extra downs than ups. The long-term success followers needed simply wasn’t to be discovered throughout his time with the workforce.

Final Analysis: Phaneuf Created Many Positive Memories

In the ultimate evaluation, though Phaneuf’s time with the Maple Leafs was not a time of regular-season success, he was a key participant and chief. He was bodily, with some offensive potential, and was a pacesetter each on and off the ice. Phaneuf was the workforce’s captain in 2010 till he was traded in 2016. 

Related: Dion Phaneuf Finally Appears Settled In Toronto

Additionally, Phaneuf was a preferred determine with the group, who recurrently participated in charitable causes. Specifically, when he got here to the workforce in 2010, he rented a luxurious suite within the northwest nook of the Air Canada Centre. Decorated in blue and white, this personal field hosted numerous sufferers and their households from The Hospital for Sick Children. (from “Toronto Maple Leafs: The sensitive side of Dion Phaneuf,” Paul Hunter, Toronto Star, 15/02/2013)

During each Maple Leafs’ residence sport, kids and their households have been invited as visitors of Phaneuf. He paid for his or her tickets, meals, Leafs T-shirts, flags, and hats. Over the course of his time with the Maple Leafs, the value tag topped $250,000. He typically additionally visited with households after video games.