Captain in Waiting?

By the end of this season, barring injury, Dion Phaneuf will have 26 games as a Maple Leaf under his belt.

Whether that's a sufficient auction for Phaneuf to establish himself enough to become the club's next captain is up to Ron Wilson and Brian Burke.

It seems clear, however, that's what the Leaf braintrust are hoping for, that the 24-year-old Phaneuf is seizing the opportunity to quickly grab a leadership position within the dressing room to such an extent that Wilson and Burke would feel comfortable naming his as the club's first captain since Mats Sundin left at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season.

Wilson and Burke have repeatedly said there's no reason to name a new captain until there's a player worthy of the honor. Implicit in those comments was the suggestion that the players inherited by the two men when they arrived in Toronto six months apart were not worthy.

Well, most of those players are gone. In fact, only defenceman Tomas Kaberle remains from the pre-Wilson/Burke era — at least Kaberle's the only current member of the squad who had played NHL games for the Leafs before Wilson was hired in June, 2008.

The house-cleaning is essentially complete, although the futures of Kaberle (one year left on his contract), Nikolai Kulemin (a restricted free agent) and Mikhail Grabovski are uncertain, at best. Ditto for wildly overpaid rearguard Jeff Finger.

Clearly, the Leafs see Phaneuf as the logical candidate to give the team an official leader for the first time since Sundin left. He's been very solid since arriving nine games ago, and while the big blueliner is still looking for his first goal as a Leaf, he's made some big hits, been reliable defensively and shown an increasing willingness to jump into the rush.

How his personality will play out in the dressing room remains to be seen. Most describe him as gruff and blunt, and certainly vocal. After Nazem Kadri played a game recently for the Leafs as an emergency callup, the youngster was chatting with Wilson after the game when Phaneuf walked past, stopped, said something along the lines of "if you're going to be in camp next fall, you better show up in better shape" and marched on.

Talking that kind of talk could be a good thing for the Leafs and their captain-in-waiting as long as he can walk the walk on the ice and play the kind of hockey that allows others to follow.

If Phaneuf is introduced as the next captain of the team next fall — Sundin was 26 when he took the "C" for the 1997-98 season — he'll likely do so at the same time the club introduces a new set of uniforms.

The scuttlebutt in the industry is that the Leafs are seeking to alter their current home and away jerseys, adding a few more details, some piping and new personality to the uniforms that are among the dullest in the the league at the moment. The current uniforms were introduced after the lockout, while the club's best look remains it's third jersey, the predominantly white sweater with the vintage Leaf logo on the chest and blue shoulders.

Comments

[mc]

Dont forget to add John Mitchel and Rickard Wallin to the house cleaning list for this spring

[Andrew McStevens]

So the second the leafs have a "not awful" player you want to name him captain? Get real. Phaneuf is a disaster in the dressing room and needs serious work in his own zone. You don't just throw around the "C" like that. If they haven't been, what makes you think they will now? Why do you think Calgary traded Phaneuf for a bag of pucks? If Kaberle isn't good enough to be captain, Phaneuf surely is NOT, because Phaneuf is no Kaberle. There is also certainly more important things to talk about than the NEW LOOK JERSEYS!

[bobbyshow]

One look in Dion Phaneuf's eyes when he's playing the game tells you he's captain material. It's not the points you put on the board it's the heart you put in the game.
I love how Phaneuf's detractors always say that he's a "disaster in the dressing room," as if they have ever seen the inside of an NHL dressing room.

[Mark Valiquette]

It's been noted before that Kaberle is not a leadership-type. If Phaneuf is making call-outs like that, he better make sure he is the player that he tells others they should be, he needs to be effective and respected or else he'll be resented for it. I'd want to really gauge how the rest of the players on the team respond to his personality before naming him pack leader.
Jerseys are important enough to write a paragraph about, they're pretty relevant to fans.

[MP]

Finally, finally, finally it looks like the Leafs are moving on from their "storied history" and into the 21st century. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

A new look, a new captain, and a new team. If we agree that our team has mercifully hit rock bottom, then maybe we can take these developments as a sign that the Leafs are serious about competing again.

Memo to MLSE: Now mothball those throwbacks and can the endless tributes to past heros and decades. The Leafs need to quit flogging their heritage value and start seriously focusing on being relevant to the here and now. At 24 years old, Dion Phaneuf would be a good start.

[nr]

The most interesting part of this post was the fact that the Leafs may actually fix their awful home and away sweaters.

With regards to Phaneuf being captain, I am sure he'd love it and thinks he deserves it but I don't think 26 games is enough service. He surely doesn't fit the mold of captains past, but maybe that's a good thing. I don't see the harm in waiting one more season until naming the captain. Let Burke solidify the roster a bit and see what happens next year.

[other mark]

I think this whole debate as to who should be captain (or not)is ridiculous. The reality is that if a player needs to be 'called out' then they likely don't belong in the NHL in the first place. These guys aren't stupid; they know if they are not measuring up to expectations. That being said, there are quite a few players on the current Leafs roster who likely should not be in the NHL now. If they need some "encouragement", it should come from the coaching staff, not the 'C'.

[Dave]

Based on that comment to an 18 year old rookie I would say Dion may not have learned his lesson in Calgary...not sure calling out a kid in front of coach something that will garner respect of team-mates.
I wonder if Reghyr misses his buddy Dion???

[Steve C.]

Dullest jersey's in the league? Please. Would you say the same about the other two coloured team - the Red Wings? No. The ACC and the Leafs are too corporate as it is, let's keep the simple and real jersey... simple and real. If you want a change in atmosphere how about taking Greg Millen off the Leaf broadcasts. (!???) Just a thought, he drives me crazy.

[westcoast]

Greg Millen, totally agree that he is the most annoying face and voice in hockey. Dion for next captain. 10 bucks he fights Chara tonight to prove that he can't be pushed around at home, like in Boston. New jerseys, please no more. Just another marketing gimmick to pad the fat cat wallets. What about a novel idea of white jersey for home games and dark jersey for away games...sound familiar? Leafs have a long way to go but love watching them at least try hard every game!

[David Filsinger]

More than enough of the Leaf's problems are a result of the fact that they have no clear leader on or off the ice. Any hope of moving foward must include naming a Captain. Dion has my vote!

[Mike Booth]

I think the likes of Sidney Crosby,and a few other young stars that are stepping up to the leadership role is a sign that age in this new era of hockey is not an issue when it comes to Captaincya position that surely needs a lot of traits such as maturity,loyalty respect etc....etc...,like a young Jerome Igilnia,although I like Dion being on the Leafs I don't know if you can say that's long enough to prove die-hard loyalty to a club with such an extensive history,I think of past captains like Goerge Armstrong,Dave Keon,Darryl Sittler,Doug Gilmour,all worthy to don the big "C" does Dion fit this type of mould?I think he could and I'd love to see him bring Lord Stanley home for supper,I've been waiting 43 years for his honour to dine with the leafs,I personally think Dion's to new to the club,like any man's army,you have to earn your stripes,and I'm sure he will.Good Luck Dion,Boothie

[Guss Badalley]

Points to ponder:
Rob Ramage was named Leaf captain upon arriving at training camp in '89, without having played a minute for the team previously. He admitted he didn't even know three-quarters of the players in the room.
Also, perhaps what Phaneuf allegedly said to Kadri was similar to something a Flames' vet said to a young Dion several years ago when he showed up for camp all cocky and thinking he was gonna be "the man" before his time. Maybe that lesson stuck with him and he was trying to do the young kid a favour and teach him a quick lesson ahead of time by taking him down a peg.
As for the jersey switch: could the league PLEASE go back to the home team wearing white, the road team wearing their dark sweaters??!!

[sean]

you said there is going to be piping on the new jerseys? like nashville/florida jerseys? i admit the jerseys are boring but i hope they dont clutter it up!

[Bobby C]

The Maple Leafs are not a two colour team...official team colours on their home and away jerseys are blue, white and silver (Detroit is the only two colour team).

Phaneuf for captain, its just what they need!!!

[Howedy]

You Leaf fans are ridiculous... turning the corner? LOOK AT YOUR ROSTER! TERRIBLE! I am a flames fan, thank you for curing our cancer and giving 4 contributors in return! B Burke is so overated, perfect fit in Toronto... grab a clue you are just as terrible as ever, and about to give away your next 2 lottery picks! Put a positive spin on that LEAf Day dreamers hahaha!