Too many fans and media forget this....expectations on Rielly will be unrealistically high from day 1 in a Leafs jersey.
- magmoo

I always go back to Larry Murphy being booed out of town. Yeah great judge of character and skill us leafs fans are

Go back to bed
- Yeti1181

Sorry...I hate bashing my team, but he really is lost out there most nights.

When he does find himself, he's off balance and makes a stupid play or a soft clear.

Next year is going to be a tough year for Leaf and Hab fans, not going to be easy to make the post season again.

This year was a gift with some poor goaltending and teams not finding the chemistry in time to make a run at the playoffs.

God I hope I'm wrong!!!!

I think he played a big role in getting this team to the playoffs both on and off the ice. Everyone wants to jump on him saying he not captain material. He took a team that was supposed to bottom of the east and captained them into 5th in the east. He's doing a good job everyone needs to look at the positives he brings not always negatives.
- Yeti1181

I don't disagree with his role played this last year. I think he plays too many minutes to be effective for a whole game. I also don't think he is worth 6.5M on any future contract offer. Nonis has a tough decision to make.

I think he played a big role in getting this team to the playoffs both on and off the ice. Everyone wants to jump on him saying he not captain material. He took a team that was supposed to bottom of the east and captained them into 5th in the east. He's doing a good job everyone needs to look at the positives he brings not always negatives.
- Yeti1181

Yeah, the Leafs went from 26th overall to 9th and people want to ditch their number one dman. They just need further upgrades on D in addition to Phaneuf, not to get rid of him and start over. Part of that upgrade may come internally, simply as young inexperienced players develop. We saw that with Franson this year, and Gardiner after being in the AHL most of the year turned heads in the playoffs.

I always go back to Larry Murphy being booed out of town. Yeah great judge of character and skill us leafs fans are
- Yeti1181

I remember being in the Gardens listening to the boos for Murphy every time he touched the puck and thinking how demented it was for fans to be doing that to him. He was slow which limited his effectiveness as a Leaf, but Detroit seemed smart enough to compensate for that.

I don't disagree with his role played this last year. I think he plays too many minutes to be effective for a whole game. I also don't think he is worth 6.5M on any future contract offer. Nonis has a tough decision to make.
- nellie04

There's no tough decision to make...What the hell would this team look like without DionP?

I remember being in the Gardens listening to the boos for Murphy every time he touched the puck and thinking how demented it was for fans to be doing that to him. He was slow which limited his effectiveness as a Leaf, but Detroit seemed smart enough to compensate for that.
- magmoo

Then hall of fame

There's no tough decision to make...What the hell would this team look like without DionP?
- Flyfreaky

The flyers?

Sorry...I hate bashing my team, but he really is lost out there most nights.

When he does find himself, he's off balance and makes a stupid play or a soft clear.

Next year is going to be a tough year for Leaf and Hab fans, not going to be easy to make the post season again.

This year was a gift with some poor goaltending and teams not finding the chemistry in time to make a run at the playoffs.

God I hope I'm wrong!!!!
- Garnie

Are you watching the habs instead of te leafs again I know they look similar

There's no tough decision to make...What the hell would this team look like without DionP?
- Flyfreaky

(frank) it - trade him straight up for Methot and keep Gardiner up

The flyers?
- Yeti1181

Bastard...

(frank) it - trade him straight up for Methot and keep Gardiner up
- Garnie

Dude, you're trippin...

Bastard...
- Flyfreaky

I thought you would enjoy that one ff

Dude, you're trippin...
- Flyfreaky

Bath salts

The Leafs needed him to be a top of the line defenceman in the NHL in which he could be trusted to be out there in any situation.

Thus far he’s met those expectations.
- Adam Kirshenblatt

I think the problem many Leafs fans have with Dion is that they don't trust him in end game situations.

Game 7 against Boston didn't help his reputation.

Dude, you're trippin...
- Flyfreaky

You must be trippin....freaky nuck fan!!!!

I think the problem many Leafs fans have with Dion is that they don't trust him in end game situations.

Game 7 against Boston didn't help his reputation.
- Coburns_Nose

That's why we need another minute eating d so he's not mentally drained from being overworked

Bath salts
- Yeti1181

I'll eat your (frank)ing face right off!!!!

Good defenseman, just needs a bit of help. Carlyle believes that overplaying Phaneuf gives Toronto the best chance to win. A tired Phaneuf is still much better than a fresh Fraser, Liles, Kostka, or O'Byrne.

Ideally, you need a good #2 to help Phaneuf. Gardiner and Franson are good on the 2nd pairing and play Gunnar and Liles on the 3rd pairing, perhaps Scuderi could replace Liles through FA.

Toronto should of overpaid for Suter.

Great blog. I'm glad someone in the blogosphere stuck up for Phaneuf, I love the guy. Everyone wants him to score 20 goals a year and demolish people like he did in junior and his rookie season but he's learned to play a sound game in his own end while still contributing offensively. Dion was compared to Scott Stevens when he came out of junior but the NHL has since been weeding out that type of player and Dion has been forced to adapt his play to conform to the leagues ever changing stance on hitting.

I'll eat your (frank)ing face right off!!!!
- Garnie

Yeah talk dirty to me

That's why we need another minute eating d so he's not mentally drained from being overworked
- Yeti1181

Yeah, that seems pretty evident. Can't remember the stat exactly but basically I heard one broadcaster say that once Dion passes roughly the 24 minute mark he is a minus X and if he's kept under 24 minutes a game he is plus X and its quite a significant difference.

I think Scuderi is the ideal UFA candidate that can help stabilize and insulate a relatively inexperienced D-corps in Toronto. Getting on in years a bit but he brings a steady, no flash approach with tons of playoff experience and already 2 Cups and possibly a 3rd this year.

GO LEAFS GO

The Phaneuf crap is a media related thing that us Leaf fans can't get trapped into. He has zero time for them and it pisses them off so they play bullpoop. Value Phaneuf's contributions based on the success of the team not what you read.

I'll eat your (frank)ing face right off!!!!
- Garnie