Leafs @ Pens 7:30 PM EST, TSN

[Manson]

On second thought, would Seguin even be enough? You'd probably also need a good young D prospect like a Dougie Hamilton thrown in and maybe a 2nd rounder for good measure.

 

[Bonsixx]

On second thought, would Seguin even be enough? You'd probably also need a good young D prospect like a Dougie Hamilton thrown in and maybe a 2nd rounder for good measure.

Kessel is a 24-year-old in the midst of a career year, finding himself among the very elite among superstars in the NHL scoring race. His talent level is also miles ahead of anyone on the Canadiens roster not named Carey Price.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The main problem I have with Phaneuf is that I think it's a disgrace that he was named captain of the team. Not that the team has a storied history littered with championships...but still.

To go from Sundin to this guy is a slap in the face to the fans. It was pure arrogance by Burke, further trumpeting the trade. A trade that, in hindsight, involved nothing but garbage from both sides.

I don't believe the captain should be the team's best player, but it should be a smart player who isn't overpaid by 150%.

Who then, Grabovski?

 

[drummond]

The main problem I have with Phaneuf is that I think it's a disgrace that he was named captain of the team. Not that the team has a storied history littered with championships...but still.

To go from Sundin to this guy is a slap in the face to the fans. It was pure arrogance by Burke, further trumpeting the trade. A trade that, in hindsight, involved nothing but garbage from both sides.

I don't believe the captain should be the team's best player, but it should be a smart player who isn't overpaid by 150%.

Who then, Grabovski?

Grabbo is kind of captain material but I guess his somewhat limited English disqualifies him. Gunnar would be my preference.

 

[Bullfrog]

Isn't it so fun watching this team find new lows?  Congratulations we just lost to a team that disrespected us by putting in a goalie who split time last year with the AHL/ECHL.  This isn't even mediocrity any more, its a disgrace.  As far as I am concerned this hockey team's fans deserve a public apology, but I am sure next year ticket prices will go up and we will all be hyped because of some meaningless run we go on with 5-6 games remaining in the season that consolidates us a draft pick outside of the top 5.  This team is a mess.

While I don't disagree this team is a mess, the goalie was the top goalie in the AHL last year. You do him a disservice with your pejorative AHL/ECHL comment.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Weird they didn't mention Stamkos on for 59 ES GA, or St. Louis for 58 ES GA, or Tavares for 55 ES GA.

I'm sure it's a Kessel thing.

 

[Zee]

The main problem I have with Phaneuf is that I think it's a disgrace that he was named captain of the team. Not that the team has a storied history littered with championships...but still.

To go from Sundin to this guy is a slap in the face to the fans. It was pure arrogance by Burke, further trumpeting the trade. A trade that, in hindsight, involved nothing but garbage from both sides.

I don't believe the captain should be the team's best player, but it should be a smart player who isn't overpaid by 150%.

Who then, Grabovski?

Grabbo is kind of captain material but I guess his somewhat limited English disqualifies him. Gunnar would be my preference.

The best captains are those who play with a ton of heart and do something on the ice to lift the spirits of the team.  That's why Wendel Clark is one of my all time favorite Leafs.  He was never the most talented guy out there, but he played above himself on many nights, had huge hits, fights or timely goals that would lift the entire team.  Never backed down from anyone and played with intensity. 

The same would be said for Gilmour, although in his case he was the most talented guy on the team when he was captain.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

 

[Mack674]

Agree on all the Phaneuf bashing points so far and he should definitely not be Captain after this season is over.

I find it strange that no one has mentioned Lupul as a candidate. He's usually very well spoken during interviews and comes off to me at least as pretty intelligent. He works hard and he's a good player.
I would consider Grabovski as well.

Phaneuf should be way, way down on the list. If youre going to strip him of the C you had better be trading him too. I wouldn't want any of what I assume would be dramatic nonsense in the locker room or power struggles.

This years deadline was a crazy sellers market and we could have made out like bandits. Paul f-ing Guastad was had for a 1st rounder. Instead, Burke sat back and "admired the heart" of his team as they went a glorious 1-8-1 under pressure as someones awesome signature line says. I love that.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Sigh.  The AHL goaltender beats the Leafs.

Because we have some great goaltending stats.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

Because it seems some Leaf fans always have to have somebody to hate on. Wilson's not here anymore, you know? Kessel and Phaneuf are the new goats.

 

[Zee]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

Because it seems some Leaf fans always have to have somebody to hate on. Wilson's not here anymore, you know? Kessel and Phaneuf are the new goats.

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

Because it seems some Leaf fans always have to have somebody to hate on. Wilson's not here anymore, you know? Kessel and Phaneuf are the new goats.

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

I don't think it's Captain Peanuts' fault he gets 30 min of ice time. The coaching staff should not play a guy who can't play defense so much. He is a liability for half a game while contributing not much offensively. It's not like he is Mike Green in his prime scoring 27 goals.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

Because it seems some Leaf fans always have to have somebody to hate on. Wilson's not here anymore, you know? Kessel and Phaneuf are the new goats.

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

I don't think it's Captain Peanuts' fault he gets 30 min of ice time. The coaching staff should not play a guy who can't play defense so much. He is a liability for half a game while contributing not much offensively. It's not like he is Mike Green in his prime scoring 27 goals.

Contributing not much offensively?  He's tied for 5th in D points and tied for 10th in D goals.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I haven't read any of the thread other than the last 2 pages, but why the Phaneuf hate after last night?  +2 on the night while playing close to 30:00.  On pace for 50 points, and if he gets to 49-50, will be the only Leafs D other than Kaberle/McCabe since 1997 to reach that number.

Because it seems some Leaf fans always have to have somebody to hate on. Wilson's not here anymore, you know? Kessel and Phaneuf are the new goats.

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

I don't think it's Captain Peanuts' fault he gets 30 min of ice time. The coaching staff should not play a guy who can't play defense so much. He is a liability for half a game while contributing not much offensively. It's not like he is Mike Green in his prime scoring 27 goals.

Contributing not much offensively?  He's tied for 5th in D points and tied for 10th in D goals.

So you believe those stats justify his massive play time even though he is completely inept in his own zone? Especially since most of the goals Leafs let in is when they get hemmed in in their own zone and stand around like pylons.

 

[lc9]

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

Kessel is easy to understand.  He doesn't play any defense and teams score lots of goals when his line is on the ice.  40 goal scorers are great and all, but Kessel has to play some defense.  It is frustrating watching Kessel play zero defense and float on the blueline when the leafs are often hemmed into their own zone.

 

[Bullfrog]

I don't know what Potvin believes, but those stats disprove your opinion on not contributing to offense. But good attempt at deflecting his point.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So you believe those stats justify his massive play time even though he is completely inept in his own zone? Especially since most of the goals Leafs let in is when they get hemmed in in their own zone and stand around like pylons.

So he does provide more than 'not much' offensively then? 

I don't know, but that seems like an entirely difficult thing to prove.  Since ES GA were brought up for Kessel, Phaneuf's don't seem entirely out of whack with those of other teams who give up a lot of goals - he's surrounded by Keith, Fowler, Streit, Bouwmeester, Seabrook, Karlsson, Bieksa - to name a few.  Seems like guys who are offensively minded are also on the ice for a lot of goals against.  I don't think Phaneuf looks partcularly inept out there, but he's been latched onto and it's only going to become a 'he said-she said' sort of debate as you can't really point to anything to say he is or he isn't, it's too much of an overall thing.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Phaneuf I understand, how can anyone hate on Kessel?  He's the first Leafs player since Sundin to crack 70 points, is on pace for close to 40 goals and is top 10 in scoring.

Kessel is easy to understand.  He doesn't play any defense and teams score lots of goals when his line is on the ice.  40 goal scorers are great and all, but Kessel has to play some defense.  It is frustrating watching Kessel play zero defense and float on the blueline when the leafs are often hemmed into their own zone.

Kessel's line has been horrific defensively, but in terms of Corsi numbers, usually a decent or better indication of defensive acumen, he leads the team with Grabovski.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

I don't know what Potvin believes, but those stats disprove your opinion on not contributing to offense. But good attempt at deflecting his point.

I admit it those stats look better than I thought but I don't think they justify his 30 min out there especially since his D is so skittish. If he was putting up Karlssons' numbers I would let it slide.