He’s one of the most debated names around Oil Country, some love him, some hate him. He is Dion Phaneuf, the much debated captain of the burning ship better known as the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dion is a good defender, and represents a real upgrade in Edmonton, but he’s caught in a bad spot after a tough season.
Dion started his career with a bang, becoming a superstar in Calgary before that fateful trade that sent him east. It hasn’t been kind to him, and as a result he finds himself at the center of rumors for the NHL’s latest team to embark on a scorched earth rebuild.
Why Is He Out There:
Do you remember how bad it was in Edmonton during the 2009-10 season? That was the start of Edmonton’s rebuild, when misery first entered our lives. The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in that position, and are admittedly in the opening stages of a lengthy rebuild.
They don’t have many useful veteran pieces to trade, but the biggest two are sniper Phil Kessel, and our man Dion. Phaneuf was nearly traded at the deadline, and many around the NHL feel that this marriage is over. The Leafs are going in a different direction, and it appears a trade is in the best interest for both sides.
What Does He Do Well:
For all the smack he gets, Dion Phaneuf is actually a good NHL defender, he’s a legit top-four option in this league. He has a massive shot from the point, one that has allowed him to accumulate some big point totals over his career. He can run a power-play, and he isn’t afraid to unleash that bomb.
On top of that, scouts says he has good offensive instincts, knowing when to join the rush, knowing when to put the puck on net, that kind of stuff. An added bonus is that Dion has some decent passing skills and can move the puck out of his zone. Problem is, in Toronto there wasn’t much skill to move the puck to.
Dion is a big boy, clocking in at 6’3” 214 pounds, and he loves to play physical. This is a guy that will lower the boom with a big hit, and who will drop the gloves when called on. This is an area which Edmonton lacks in, this guy is tough, he’s physical.
Phaneuf is capable of logging a fair amount of ice time, and in the past has been able to handle the top-pairing role for hockey clubs. He’s not elite, but he can log 20-23 minutes a night with ease and give you a solid performance, he’s done it throughout his entire career.
While he got exposed a bit carrying around some bad partners in Toronto, Dion is a solid player in his own zone. Obviously, he’s no Chris Pronger, but Phaneuf is a solid shut-down option who would easily be Edmonton’s best defender. There is a reason teams like Detroit, Boston and Dallas like this guy, he can play defense effectively.
The biggest problems with Dion? He can be inconsistent and his contract is absolutely massive. That said, I’d imagine the Leafs eat some of the money should a deal go down between the teams.
Where Will He Play / Where Should He Play:
Dion Phaneuf would be Edmonton’s number one defender if he came to town, no debating that point whatsoever. Where he should play is a little different however. Dion is not a number one defender in this league, and one could argue he is a low-level number two.
On a championship team, Phaneuf is likely the number three, but he can be a two on a playoff bound squad. He’s not perfect, but he closely fits what Edmonton is looking for. He’s certainly a top-four defender, and Edmonton badly needs at least one of those. He’d be a welcomed addition.
What Will He Cost:
This is a real tough read, because his contract is so bad and so long. Getting out from that deal will be a coup for the Leafs, but Toronto likely wants something of interest in return. I could see a pick, a young roster player and a prospect getting this done.
Could a project like Justin Schultz, coupled with one of Edmonton’s 2nd rounders this year and a prospect like Bogdan Yakimov get this deal done? It might, but who knows.
Closing Arguments:
This one is sure to create debate, but there are some facts that can’t be ignored. Dion Phaneuf is a top-four defender in the NHL, likely a number three, and he would be the best defender on the Oilers currently. Now, I know a lot of people don’t like him, but he’s an option we need to consider.
He’s big, he’s physical, he can log big minutes, he has good offensive instincts and can run a power-play while being effective in his own zone. Yes, he is inconsistent, but just about every player out there this summer has some warts to their game.
Peter Chiarelli liked him enough at the deadline to show some serious interest when he was with the Bruins, would he rekindle that now that he badly needs help and is in Edmonton? I’m not sure how likely it is, but it’s certainly possible.
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