Phaneuf signs 7-year deal with Leafs

At the end of the day, Dion Phaneuf wanted to remain a Maple Leaf. While the  Maple Leafs wanted Dion Phaneuf.

The 28 year-old Phaneuf is a polarizing figure and his deal has been the talk of the Toronto sports radio for days now (many callers feel it is too much money and too long a term), it’s a deal the Leafs had to make.

Let’s look at Phaneuf’s numbers compared to other high-priced defencemen in the NHL. Nashville’s Shea Weber has a cap hit of $7.8M, Minnesota’s Ryan Suter $7.5M, Brian Campbell of Florida, $7.1M, and L.A.’s Drew Doughty $7M.

Weber is 28 years old, Suter is 28, Campbell is 34, and  Doughty is 23

Next season Kris Letang’s new deal kicks in and he will have a $7.25M cap hit as he turns 27 years of age.  

Phaneuf was 11^th in average ice-time last season at 25:10 a game.  His 28 points last year had him tied with Shea Weber for 4^th most among blueliners. Only Doughty and Alex Pietrangelo had more shifts per game than Phaneuf last year.

Phaneuf has the 8^th most goals among NHL defenceman since the start of the 2009-2010 season. He’s had six seasons of 9 or more goals and 30 or more points.

He turns 29 in April, and while the statistics may not show it he is currently having his best season in Toronto.

He has simplified his game, isn’t taking silly penalties, while cutting down on glaring mistakes.

“That’s something I have learned and something over the course of my career I have learned I will admit that,” Phaneuf told Sportsnet television after the news conference. “When you push for too much offence you try and do too much. I feel my game is at a level I’m very comfortable with and I feel I am playing my best hockey. I feel good about where my game is at and I definitely have learned a lot over the years.”

He is continuing to log big minutes (24:21 per game on average – 24^th in the NHL) and is always matched up against the opposition’s top forward line.

He has matured while in Toronto and has embraced the role of being a captain.  He likes his teammates and wants to help the Leafs win a Stanley Cup.

"I really believe that we’re building something special," said Phaneuf. "I think that we’ve grown. Since the time that I’ve been here to now is night and day. It’s a very big decision and one that I’m very happy with."

Phaneuf knows he is leaving money on the table as this isn’t a great free agent class for blueliners.

“I want to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs and that’s why it was an easy decision for me not to go to free agency,” Phaneuf told Sportsnet.

With the signing of the captain, the Maple Leafs have locked up six players to long-term deals: Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, David Clarkson, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. That’s about $34 M a year locked up in this group.

The Leafs core is now set.  None of these guys are signed beyond their 35^th birthday. All these players are signed through at least 2017-2018.
So, Dave Nonis, are these the guys who will lead the Leafs to that elusive Stanley Cup?

"The core is always going to be somewhat moveable," Nonis said on Tuesday to Sportsnet.ca. "It’s not locked in stone for eight years that these guys are all going to be here. We signed them because we believe that they’re part of a winning team, that they can be part of something.”

Dion Phaneuf certainly hopes so.

Tyler Bozak set to return Sunday against Carolina

Tyler Bozak has spent more time watching than playing lately.

Since signing a 5 year contract extension this off-season, the Toronto Maple Leafs centre has battled various ailments.

He hasn’t been alone as the Leafs have been bitten by the injury bug this season.  But Bozak is set to return back to the lineup, as the Leafs are getting healthier ahead of a busy January schedule.

“It sucks sitting out having to watch and not being able to play,” admitted Bozak following practise on Saturday.

It has been a frustrating 18 months for Bozak.  He missed the last 2 games of the playoff series with Boston because of a biceps injury.

Earlier this season he sat out 12 games with a pulled hamstring.  He’s returning Sunday against Carolina after missing 12 with an oblique injury.

“It’s new to me,” said the 27 year-old. “Other than a few injuries where I missed a few games in the past four years I haven’t had much. I worked hard while I was out and hopefully I can come back better.”

Bozak practised Saturday in his usual spot – on the top line with James Van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel.

But Bozak and the head coach are trying their best to lower expectations.

“My experiences have taught me the longer a player is out the more valuable he seems to be,” said Coach Randy Carlyle. “When he comes back into the lineup you are expecting more and that’s really unrealistic.”

“You want to contribute as much as you can, but you can’t expect to go out there and take over the game,” admitted Bozak.  “It will take a few games to get back into the swing of things.”

Bozak’s return means Nazem Kadri will centre the 2^nd line with Joffrey Lupul and Mayson Raymond. While Peter Holland was sporting the green jersey usually reserved for the 4^th line, although his role could change.

“We have talked about it and Peter Holland is an option to move up and down our lineup,” said Carlyle. “And we won't be afraid to do that if we aren't getting the performances we need from other people."

David Bolland is the only regular Leafs player from opening night out with an injury.

That’s encouraging news for a team that has been hard-hit by the injury bug and has just 1 win in regulation time over the last 18 games.

James Reimer leading on and off the ice.

Leadership can come in some unexpected places. Look no further than Toronto, where James Reimer called out his teammates following Tuesday’s loss.  

He – and his team – responded on Thursday beating Phoenix. In the midst of turmoil and crisis, Reimer’s solid play and strong words off the ice, helped ease the concern in Leaf nation – for the time being anyway.  

“Theres never an excuse,” said Reimer following an embarrassing 3-1 loss to Florida on Tuesday. “Injuries. Tired. I’ts all bs. Those are excuses and they are useless.”

The usually laid back James Reimer was anything but, following a poor effort by his teammates Tuesday. The Leafs netminder backed up those harsh words, taking charge himself, with a 34 save effort in a shootout win over Phoenix on Thursday. 
 
“You always want a chance to be a leader. I think everyone in here can be a leader,” said Reimer on Friday morning. “It doesn’t take much besides going out there and working your butt off really.”

In his 4^th NHL season, Reimer has had his share of hurdles to overcome.

He’s suffered various injuries.

While he has earned the trust of fans, he has never earned the trust of management. He’s constantly had to fight to keep his job.

He’s had to endure trade speculation. As a restricted free agent, his future in Toronto is uncertain.

Those distractions haven’t had an impact.  With a strong work ethic, and his dynamic play, Reimer has plenty of respect in the room.

“He lets his play do a lot of the talking for him,” said teammate Tyler Bozak. “If something needs to be said he will say it and you will listen. He doesn’t say much but when he does it’s always of importance and guys pay attention.”

“If you play the game with honesty and integrity and you don’t take shifts off or for a couple of minutes off, if you play true than you are a leader,” added Reimer.

Reimer hasn’t sulked this season, while splitting time with Jonathan Bernier. It isn’t a perfect scenario, but Reimer has used the competition to fuel him.

Both goalies are the biggest reasons why the Leafs are still clinging to a playoff spot. The two are in the NHL’s top 10 in save percentage.

“When there’s another world class goalie beside you it pushes you.  From day to day activities from practice to game skates to games you have to be at your best every day,” said Reimer.

 “They are having career years,” noted Coach Randy Carlyle. “That’s one heck of a statement for leadership.”

Leading be example suits Reimer just fine.

Jerry D'Amigo hoping to make an impression on the Leafs

It took a bit longer than he expected, but Jerry D’Amigo   will certainly take it.

D’Amigo – a 6^th round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009 – scored his first NHL goal on Saturday.

“You guys can’t see it but I’m just going crazy inside right now,” said D’Amigo, as the Leafs beat Chicago 7-3 on Saturday night.

It has been a long journey for D’Amigo who knows his time in the NHL could come to an end at any time.

Since helping the U.S. win gold at the 2010 World Junior hockey championship, D’Amigo hasn’t developed as quickly as the Leafs had hoped.

But with injuries to the likes of Tyler Bozak, David Bolland and Colton Orr, and with David Clarkson suspended, coach Randy Carlyle has turned to the 22 year-old D’Amigo who has an opportunity to make an impression on the Leafs management.

Playing on a line with Jay McClement and Nik Kulemin, the Binghamton, New York native found himself starting the game against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

His role : To help shutdown the Blackhawks top line of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa.

“I was kind of shocked,” said D’Amigo on Sunday afternoon. “I did a little ‘wow, are you sure about that.”’

Then when he lined up for the opening faceoff with Hossa the Leafs forward was awed by the entire scene.

“I was looking up at him and I wanted to say, ‘Hey, I watched you growing up.”’

“It was a little bit of a risk to put D’Amigo with McClement and Kulemin,” admitted Coach Randy Carlyle. “We tried to create a little bit more of a checking line. They did a heck of a job for us.”

At 5-foot-11, 203 pounds, D’Amigo knows in order to continue to have success in the NHL he needs to continue to impress in a shut-down role.

“You always watch when you are in the minors,” said D’Amigo, who has 5 goals and 8 assists in 13 games with the Marlies. “You definitely get a little mad because you want to help up there. But at the same time you have to wait.  I got my shot.”

And so far he is taking advantage of it.

When he arrived at the Air Canada Centre last Thursday for his first NHL game against Dallas, couldn’t get in to the Maple Leafs dressing room. That video of him waiting outside for someone to let him in, was shown all across Canada during the game broadcast.

He has an access card now.

“You guys can’t make fun of me anymore.”

D’Amigo hopes he will need that card the rest of the season.

Leafs season slipping away

Things are falling apart for the Toronto Maple Leafs and coach Randy Carlyle is beyond worried.  

"Our concern is very high," said the coach, after a 6-3 loss to St. Louis Wednesday night.  

That playoff position that looked to be so secure a month ago could be a thing of the past - soon. 

"For our hockey club tonight, it looked like we were totally brain dead in a lot of areas," said Carlyle. "I don't know any other way to describe it from a standpoint of where the goals are being scored from."

What a difference six weeks makes. After a great start to the season, the Leafs can’t find their way. They are constantly being outshot, have struggled to score goals at even strength and the once impenetrable penalty-kill is now leaking big-time.

The Leafs have lost 8 of 10 (of the two wins, one came in overtime, the other in a shootout).  And with a schedule that will see them host Chicago on Saturday, and visit Pittsburgh on Monday, little relief appears to be in sight.

They have allowed 14 power-play goals in the last 11 games, including a stretch in which they allowed power-play goals in 9 straight games.

James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier – so strong earlier this season – have looked like a shell of their earlier self. Reimer allowed 3 goals on 15 shots before he was pulled before the end of the opening period against St. Louis.

What also makes this loss to the Blues tough to take was that the night before, the Leafs may have played their best game (a 3-1 loss to LA).

"We were definitely flat on emotion and energy. We didn't have much of a defence for them," said a clearly frustrated Carlyle.

“(Following a win over LA) was some stuff to build on,” said defenceman Carl Gunnarsson. “And tonight, it was like it was all gone.”

Carlyle can’t be happy with his team’s defensive effort and zone coverage. In just four games this season have the Leafs outshot their opponents. And against the Blues they managed 36 shots on goal – too many of the easy variety.

“We have systems that our coverage has to be in place. If you vacate those critical areas you’re going to give up easy goals,” said Carlyle.  “We didn’t win enough of those down-low confrontations. Look where they scored the goals from.”

Carlyle made those comments following the loss to St. Louis. But it is something he could have said after countless losses this season.

It is mid-December and the team continues to make the same mistakes, time and time again.

After the collapse to the Bruins in the playoffs, the Leafs were determined to be a tougher team to play against this season.

When Leo Komorov decided to play back in Russia, the Leafs knew they would miss his grit and work ethic. But the Leafs miss Komorov more than anyone would have imagined.

Clarke MacArthur and Mikhail Grabovski were let go and replaced by David Bolland and David Clarkson.

The Leafs miss MacArthur’s and Gravovski’s offence and with Bolland out of the lineup with an ankle injury and Clarkson being unable to provide much in the way of goals, Toronto has become too easy a team to play against.

“There’s lots of time. Fifty games left. There’s no reason to panic,” said Nazem Kadri.

The signs suggest otherwise. Just ask Randy Carlyle.