The Star: Toronto Maple Leafs looking for a new face of the franchise

[KuleminFan41]

Burke did what most people wont. He put the attention and pressure on himself and away from the players. Thats actually a good quality in any management whether its a coach ,GM,President whatever. People say Burke is a loud mouth , caused problems etc but he took heat. This whole"face of the franchise" is a very overrated thing that people put too much stock into.

 

[Leafs For Life*]

Vinny earned it though. They gave it to him, realized it was a big of a mistake to give him that responsibility out of hype, and let him re-earn it.

While Stamkos is best player, he's not necessarily the face. Vinny won them a cup, a Rocket (like Stamkos), and has been there for 14 years. I'm sure Tampa fans see him just as we saw Mats. (and Stamkos as the heir to the throne)

Yes, Vinny is a fully deserving Captain of the Lightning. But, Stamkos is the face of the franchise. He is the 1st person that (most) people think of when they think of Tampa. Vinny is not going to be the Face of the Franchise still, when he is playing on the 2nd line.

 

[HellasLEAF]

I think when Dion is playing well he is definitely Captain material. Was downright excellent at both ends for long stretches. Toronto media and critics way too hard on him for the odd mistake.

 

[Newfie John]

Who's "the face" of the LA Kings franchise?

This is the sort of sport vernacular that obfuscates the only thing that matters: winning games. Phaneuf is a top 10 defencemen in this league when on his game and plays all three zones well with great physicality. Given how young this team is, he's an ideal captain.

Just about every player in the league is a boring interview. The ones who aren't, typically, aren't very good hockey players.

 

[Sokil]

Yes, Vinny is a fully deserving Captain of the Lightning. But, Stamkos is the face of the franchise. He is the 1st person that (most) people think of when they think of Tampa. Vinny is not going to be the Face of the Franchise still, when he is playing on the 2nd line.

For outsiders like us. I'd like to know how Tampa fans feel about this. I figure he'd be their Joe Carter or something.

 

[Morbo]

I feel bad for Phaneuf.

Me too. It's not his fault he was traded into a total trainwreck, made captain, or called the best defenceman in the league(thanks again Ron).

 

[Sokil]

Phaneuf is a top 10 defencemen in this league when on his game and plays all three zones well with great physicality.

This simply isn't true, not to mention, he's horrible in his own end. He's in that 'middle of the pack' group of D that are slightly above average.

Do you really think he occupies that 4-10 space after Chara/Karlsson/Weber? There are a lot better D in the NHL.

 

[LeeIs]

What a crappy article. Reaching. Trying to start some sorta controversy.

 

[JAMmer124]

Who's "the face" of the LA Kings franchise?

This is the sort of sport vernacular that obfuscates the only thing that matters: winning games. Phaneuf is a top 10 defencemen in this league when on his game and plays all three zones well with great physicality. Given how young this team is, he's an ideal captain.

Just about every player in the league is a boring interview. The ones who aren't, typically, aren't very good hockey players.

Doughty is the face of LA. He's the marquee name that everyone knows, even though he's not the teams best player (Kopitar, Quick are a level above).

 

[Newfie John]

This simply isn't true, not to mention, he's horrible in his own end. He's in that 'middle of the pack' group of D that are slightly above average.

Do you really think he occupies that 4-10 space after Chara/Karlsson/Weber? There are a lot better D in the NHL.

Slightly above average?

There are about 210 defencemen in the NHL. "Slightly above average" puts him barely in the top 100, I'd guess.

So, go ahead and name 80 better defencemen for me. 70, even. 30, even.

 

[ConnorTO]

Seth Jones sure is!

"We're obviously the best"...

(Uproar in Canada)

...

...

Team USA wins...

(All quiet in Canada)

Canada is the best hockey nation in this world.

 

[Bomber0104]

Canada is the best hockey nation in this world.

Not for junior hockey apparently.

Seth Jones was right.

His team was the best.

 

[onebighockeyfan]

Toronto Maple Leafs looking for a new face of the franchise: Feschuk



I don't think most of what Feschuk had to say is incorrect. Burke commandeered the media spotlight and without him the players are going to be held accountable in the media spotlight. Feschuk doesn't believe Phaneuf has the ability to be that face of the franchise, or Captain for that matter.

I don't necessarily disagree with him.

Gomez is available. The #1C that's missing.

 

[achtungbaby]

Poor Phaneuf, a million dollar body and a 10 cent head is what used to be said about him when he was on the west coast. It's not his fault he's not that bright. Hopefully some of the vets can step up and take some of the pressure off of him.

 

[JAMmer124]

Not for junior hockey apparently.

Seth Jones was right.

His team was the best.

Canada turns out more NHL hockey players than the rest of the world combined. 10 years from now, I guarantee there will be more NHLers from Team Canada in this years tournament than any other country.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Poor Phaneuf, a million dollar body and a 10 cent head is what used to be said about him when he was on the west coast. It's not his fault he's not that bright. Hopefully some of the vets can step up and take some of the pressure off of him.

Amen

 

[4evaBlue]

This "face of the franchise" is just a bunch of media crap. A poster boy to sensationalize.

Burke did a great job drawing the media attention to himself, and let his players worry about playing the game.

 

[FelixPotvin29]

Well since Nonis was instrumental in trading for Phaneuf...

 

[Christ]

This "face of the franchise" is just a bunch of media crap. A poster boy to sensationalize.

Burke did a great job drawing the media attention to himself, and let his players worry about playing the game.

Lol, this article is not about "the face of the franchise", it is about another crappy Toronto sportswriter trying to one up his peers so that he can claim the crown of "face of the dungheap that is the Toronto Media". Just keep kicking them when they are down and in this case in a state of absolute shock...that's the ticket!

 

[thom]

How is it possible Toronto has not being in the finals since 1967?VCR's were not even in stores Black and white tv's were the norm.No one new that internet would be the norm 5 dacades later and people would have a cell phone to do their business.It's mind numbing to think that that Montreal would get another 9 stanley cups to Toronto's 0

 

[Jerkini]

Dion Phaneuf was the best thing Burke did for this team. I don't know how anyone can be unhappy with his performance.

 

[Confucius]

Dion Phaneuf was the best thing Burke did for this team. I don't know how anyone can be unhappy with his performance.

Considering what he gaveup for him, I agree. The C was another matter but really who else was there?

 

[DeathToAllButMetal]

Dion Phaneuf was the best thing Burke did for this team. I don't know how anyone can be unhappy with his performance.

Perhaps because Phaneuf is:

1. Dumb. I can't get over the number of stupid decisions he makes, game in and game out, in all areas.

2. A Terrible Skater. Is there another d-man in the entire league who looks so awkward on his skates. Strange stride and he goes off balance on a regular basis.

3. A Terrible Shot. Just horrific accuracy with his shot. How many times does he ring clear point shots off the glass?

4. An Ice Hog. I'm hoping this changes under Carlyle, but Phaneuf just never wanted to come off the ice under Wilson. He was playing far, far too much, especially in key situations and on the PP. He'd just stay out forever. Assume Wilson gave him the leeway to do this, but it sure didn't help either Dion or the team.

5. Spectacularly Overpaid. Enough said. For what Phaneuf brings to the table, he's wildly over-compensated.

6. A Head-Hunter. Going back to Calgary, you could always count on Phaneuf to take his big runs at little guys or softer players who wouldn't get up and beat the crap out of him. He really picks his spots, only lowering the boom on safe players. I've never respected this.

Anyhow, I know I won't convince the fanboys here, but I wasn't a fan of Neon in Calgary and nothing he's done in Toronto has changed my mind.

 

[DeathToAllButMetal]

This "face of the franchise" is just a bunch of media crap. A poster boy to sensationalize.

Burke did a great job drawing the media attention to himself, and let his players worry about playing the game.

Man, did that ever work out great! Imagine how badly the Leafs would have finished the past few years if they'd had to deal with that media attention!

 

[DeathToAllButMetal]

Poor Phaneuf, a million dollar body and a 10 cent head is what used to be said about him when he was on the west coast. It's not his fault he's not that bright. Hopefully some of the vets can step up and take some of the pressure off of him.

With his horrible, off-balance skating, I don't even agree with the million-dollar body comment. And ten cents seems a bit high.