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Phaneuf Is A Punk
by Paul on 03/25/08 at 06:26 AM ET
Comments (32)
from Adrian Dater of All Things Avs,
Phaneuf is a punk, by the way. And some day he’s going to get his, and it’s not going to be pretty for him. He’s going to hit one backside of a player too many, and somebody is going to rip that shield off his face and hand him his teeth….
This is a 22-year-old guy, at the top of his physical powers and who really has a lot of talent. But he doesn’t play an honorable game.
He hits you when your back is turned. Then, when you get mad about it and try to hit him back, he backs away and hides behind his shield, mouthing off. He’s got a lot of Bill Laimbeer in him.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Comments
Didn’t Claude Lemieux play for the Avs?
I’d take Dion on my team anyday of the week.
Posted by Jim_Korn on 03/25/08 at 07:30 AM ET
He sure is. But you’d by lying if you said you wouldn’t take him on your team.
Posted by Sig from Washington DC on 03/25/08 at 07:30 AM ET
A few things.
He’s a good player. He’s also a punk. Not to take the blame off of him, but the NHL is set up in such a way that players that act like Phaneuf are a dime a dozen, and are protected by the instigator rule. The point is that he won’t change his game unless the rules force him to (and frankly, why would he change his game, it works). There are a lot of rats in this league because the league allows it.
I’ve never seen Phaneuf fight with his visor on. I don’t have a huge problem with him backing away from a fight… but if he fights with that shield on, God smite him.
Does Adrienne not see it? Does he not see that he’s supported one of the dirtiest plays and players in history, and how thinks he can turn around and condemn a player, that while a punk, isn’t really that dirty of a player? Come on, Adrienne, you’re (not) better than that.
Lastly, I love his obligitory jab at something related to Detroit, as if an old Piston has anything to do with Dion Phaneuf.
Oh, and if I played against Phaneuf, while I’m sure he’d kill me, I would not be able to stop laughing about the fact that his name is Dion. What horrible parents he must have.
Posted by Nathan on 03/25/08 at 08:13 AM ET
...you’d by lying if you said you wouldn’t take him on your team.
I would not take him (or Pinhead or Jack-ass-man) on my team. No lie!
And I agree with Nathan. As long as the League allows these punks to get away with their cheapshot, check-to-the-back-of-the-head-after-the-whistle crap, they’ll certainly keep doing it…as anyone with a six-year-old’s mentality would.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/25/08 at 08:40 AM ET
Nathan—
After seeing Phaneuf ram Kopecky’s helmetless head into the end boards earlier this season, I would have to say he is dirty as well as a punk (and yes, it was obvious he could have held up and chose not to, so please don’t go there).
I also have to respectfully disagree with your comment RE: Dion’s parents. In fact, I am not aware of any stronger role models than Mr. Susan Phaneuf and his wife, Frederick.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 03/25/08 at 08:44 AM ET
Datar was the kid who always ran the A/V equipment in high school and belonged to the chess club, right?
What a putz.
Posted by dash_pinched on 03/25/08 at 08:49 AM ET
YZ,
Your tone is noted, and greatly appreciated. I’m sure Baby Dion’s mother, Frederick, has a very elegant and attractive Adam’s apple.
Yes, that was a dirty play, my point is that he still has a long way to go before he’s in the Claude Lemieux stratosphere, so it’s stupid for Dater to criticize him on one hand while he defends Claude on the other.
And honestly, in any other context, if we were talking about two people named “Dion” and “Claude”, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be a discussion about men.
Posted by Nathan on 03/25/08 at 09:07 AM ET
I don’t know about the ‘hiding behind his shield’ comment.
I don’t begrudge any player for wearing a visor even if he’s considered a tough guy. I think Phaneuf would fight if the situation presented itself and he’d probably toss his helmet off in respect for the tough guy code.
He’s also probably on orders from his coach not to fight. Obviously he’s more valuable to his team than some 4th liner 4min/game punk. From a coaching perspective losing him to 5min fighting major isn’t worth it. Not sure how he’s any worse than Pronger as far as being dirty is concerned, pretty sure he’s never even been suspended.
Posted by Scramer from Ottawa on 03/25/08 at 09:52 AM ET
Not sure how he’s any worse than Pronger as far as being dirty is concerned, pretty sure he’s never even been suspended.
He’s young yet. Give him time. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/25/08 at 10:17 AM ET
...he’d probably toss his helmet off in respect for the tough guy code.
Why would he honor that unwritten code when he can’t even honor the written codes? I don’t think the word “respect” is even in this guy’s vocabulary.
Not sure how he’s any worse than Pronger as far as being dirty is concerned…
Well, that’s a sterling endorsement, isn’t it? Let me add to that. He’s not any worse than Jack-ass-man either. In fact, all three of them are virtually clones of one another. They’re punks who think they’re not bound by the same rules and codes that everyone else is…written or unwritten.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/25/08 at 11:04 AM ET
On Shields: Please drop this shameful argument that players with visors are soft. If you’ve ever taken a puck/stick in or around your bloody eyes, you’ll know how scary and painful it is. For a professional athlete to protect their eyes is not cowardly, its smart.
On Phanuef: OlderthanChelios, you would be the worst GM in the league if you passed on Phaneuf. He is by FAR the best young D in the league and when Pronger/Lidstrom retire he will be the perennial favorite for the Norris.
On the Author of the original piece: My does he have a soft spot for his boys in Colorado, eh? Phaneuf is pisses people off because he does everything right, including the dirty work, and backs it up.
What the hell is he talking about he doesn’t fight? He has far more fights than any skill player in the league (9 this season: http://www.hockeyfights.com/leaders/players/1/reg2008/2/t)
Posted by Cloud9 Sports from Ontario on 03/25/08 at 11:34 AM ET
You know. Every time I hear or see Phaneuf I have to go and youtube him vs. Jarko Ruutu when he trips over himself and lands on his butt.
Then I just can’t take him seriously. Well that and the fact that he is a Flamer.
Posted by Laker from dapuddle on 03/25/08 at 11:45 AM ET
Cloud9,
I’m not saying visors/shields are a bad thing. I totally understand why players wear them. I would certainly wear one. My point was simply that, like another poster mentioned, there’s not much value to his team for him getting in a fight, so I don’t mind, as Grapes would say, him wiggling a way from a fight “hiding behind his visor”. I don’t see it that way. My point was just that when he does fight, he’d better take the helmet off if he’s gonna keep the shield on, that’s all. To me, fighting with a shield on is the most cowardly thing you can do.
Posted by Nathan on 03/25/08 at 12:17 PM ET
This BLOG is a joke. Phaneuf a coward? Hides behind his shield? The guy has 9 fights this year (that is more than any AVS player with the exception of lappy and McLeod) and still averages over 26 minutes of ice time a game (2nd in the league!). The guy is an all-star talent, plain and simple. Name me one team in the NHL that would not kill to have a player that plays with the intensity and consistency and big time minutes that he does.
For all you Phaneuf haters that think he is a coward – find me another defenseman in the league that plays similar minutes and has more fighting majors. As for his hitting – go watch some highlights…he is a through back player that hits hard, often and clean (most of the time) and is exactly what the league needs.
And as for the shield, go to hockeygfights.com and watch some scraps – if he has time to square off then he always takes the helmet is off.
Seriously, this column reeks of a jealous fan that is mad that his star players are getting pushed around by fellow all-star and they can’t push back.
Posted by robbieo on 03/25/08 at 12:32 PM ET
@ robbieo:
If you are going to rip anyone who thinks Phaneuf is a punk, then instead of talking here (where you will find many people who agree with you) then why not go to Adrian Dater’s Avalanche blog and comment directly? I’m sure most of the commenters there will be opposed to your position and you can discuss their wrongheadedness in that forum.
But this blog which you are currently commenting on is about as far from a joke as you can get and be written in the English language.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 03/25/08 at 12:41 PM ET
Baroque,
Sorry for the confusion - my Joke comment was directed at the source BLOG no KK - I love this site and find the quality of the contributions to be generally excellent
I have posted my comments on the source BLOG in hopes of finding a conversation…but no takers so far.
Posted by robbieo on 03/25/08 at 12:47 PM ET
Come now. There’s not even anybody here who wouldn’t take Pronger. Don’t give me that jealous crap about hating a player cause he’s dirty when he’s a number one option at forward or D. I know he’s reckless, but that’s part of what makes him great. He’s not afraid to mess up. Does he? Yeah, but he more than makes up for it by rubbing whoever he’s going for out of the play and usually gets back in position to make the defensive play anyways. I’m from Pittsburgh, so I’m no homer. I just play defense primarily and would LOVE to have Phaneuf/Pronger/Campbell, any scoring, big hitting defenseman as my partner. They make everyone’s job easier.
Posted by Phil M on 03/25/08 at 02:02 PM ET
Everything after the Pronger question was about Dion. Sorry I didn’t make that clear. The Pronger question was just that, not the topic of conversation.
Posted by Phil M on 03/25/08 at 02:03 PM ET
OlderthanChelios, you would be the worst GM in the league if you passed on Phaneuf.
Dang. So that’s why I haven’t been offered a GM’s job. I knew there had to some explanation for it. Now I know why. 
But I also think there are any number of GMs and owners (Ken Holland and Mr. I included) who would pass on bringing in a player who has no respect for other players. Yes, I know they got Bertuzzi last year, but Big Bert’s crime was one of passion, not general attitude…as it seems to be with Scary Face, Pinhead and Jack-ass-man.
In large part, the quality of an organization is measured by the quality of its players (and I’m not talking just about their physical qualities). The Wings seem to take great pride in building their team around quality individuals who also are quality players. IMHO, Scary Face would not fit the Wings idea of a quality individual.
As for his hitting – go watch some highlights…he is a through back player that hits hard…
That’s more correct than you intended it to be, robbieo. Scary Face is indeed a “through back” player…as in he tries to drive his stick through the back of any player he can. It’s called cross-checking or roughing…and it’s illegal.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/25/08 at 02:08 PM ET
I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m just bothered that Dater wrote something that I actually got a kick out of.
Geezus, if I continue to feel compelled to give props to Adrian Dater, the world might quit making sense entirely…
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/25/08 at 02:28 PM ET
Defencmen in the NHL don’t hit their prime until 25 usually.
Phaneuf is already at or near the top of the list of D-men any team would want. Period.
Those that hate him probably do so I would guess because of his effectiveness.
Posted by Laker from dapuddle on 03/25/08 at 02:32 PM ET
OTC, just curious, is one of those quality players that the Wings seem to cultivate and build around one Chris Chelios, who allegedly busted up a dressing room along with some teammates back in Nagano at the Olympics in ‘98?
The same Chris Chelios who nailed Brian Propp with a “Phaneuf like” hit that caused Hextall to go totally nuts back in the late 80’s.
I realize this is a Wings-centric site, and everyone’s entitled to their opinions, but don’t be surprised to receive some backlash when you start questioning the character of players who don’t wear the Winged Wheel.
Oh, and in six years, if Phaneuf is a UFA and Holland is still GM of the Wings, if Holland isn’t activitely inquiring about the availability of Dion Phaneuf, then he’s not doing a very good job, IMHO.
Posted by dash_pinched on 03/25/08 at 02:34 PM ET
robbieo,
I know you’re probably directing your comments at Dater, but just to defend myself, I’m not saying that Phaneuf leaves his shield on when he fights. Honestly, I don’t know, I’ve only seen maybe six Flames games this season. I believe you when you say he doesn’t leave it on. And that’s good. My point was simply that I have no problem with a star player backing away from a fight because he’s more useful on the ice than in the box, even if he’s, according to Dater or Don Cherry, “hiding behind his visor”. Just don’t leave the visor on during a fight. To me, that’s what I call “hiding behind a visor”.
Posted by Nathan on 03/25/08 at 04:05 PM ET
Iginla is an example of a star player who plays with an edge and backs it up when necessary. Phaneuf is an example of a star player with an attitude of “I’m a star player and can do what I want” and should never be punished.
That’s the main reason people get so riled up with Phaneuf. It’s not just his play but the attitude with which he brings it.
Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 03/25/08 at 04:15 PM ET
To be fair to Dion, he is not near the coward that Malty is and always has been.
Posted by Bob from Boulder on 03/25/08 at 04:46 PM ET
You know. I think the argument that goes something like ‘tough guys don’t wear shields’ has long since passed.
I have played high level hockey both with and without shields. One thing I learned is that the more players who wore shields the more likely you were to get cut but someone being careless with a stick etc.
You stand in front of the net when Sami Salo launches a 100 mph bomb from the point that gets tipped up into your face tough guy…. or does that just make you not that intelligent?
I love to hate Phaneauf but only because he plays for a team I don’t call my own.
Posted by Laker from dapuddle on 03/25/08 at 05:46 PM ET
OTC, just curious, is one of those quality players that the Wings seem to cultivate and build around one Chris Chelios…
Yah, I knew someone would bring up Cheli. As for your comments about his actions in the past, you may be correct. But what I’m talking about is the NHL of today and the Wings organization of today. Not what either of those were ten years ago.
And to that point, let me point you to Aaron Downey. After last season, the Wings knew they needed an “enforcer” and they could have gone out and gotten just about any “goon” on the market. Instead, they chose someone who’s, perhaps, the most “honorable” fighter out there. Do you think that was a fluke decision on their part? I don’t.
I think the Wings chose Downey because he does the job that needs to be done and, most importantly, does it in an honorable way. I think the same applies to their decision to trade for Stuart. He hits guys all the time, but I’ve yet to see him take anything even remotely resembling a cheap shot. Again, do you think that’s a fluke? I don’t!
Unitil Kenny proves me wrong, I just can’t see the Wings bringing in a punk like Pinhead, Jack-ass-man or Scary Face. And the reason is simple. The organ-I-zation seems to believe that you can win without icing a goon team. So far, I’d say they’re far closer to understanding how to build a winner than the Flames, the Blues or the Ducks.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/25/08 at 05:47 PM ET
Phaneuf is an example of a star player with an attitude of “I’m a star player and can do what I want” and should never be punished.
That’s the main reason people get so riled up with Phaneuf. It’s not just his play but the attitude with which he brings it.
Bingo, Shane! And the same goes for Pinhead and Jack-ass-man. All three seem to feel that their “talent” comes with some sort of entitlement that allows them to ignore both the written and the unwritten rules of the game.
These punks are not role models for this sport. And the sooner the League recognizes that and moves to stop their on-ice antics, the better off both the players and the fans will be.
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 03/25/08 at 05:57 PM ET
Hold on OTC. A Wings fan and Avs fan just agreed on something. Shouldn’t something have blown up or frozen over?
God bless Dion Phaneuf for bringing people together
Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 03/25/08 at 06:15 PM ET
There is no “honor code” for a team that still employs Maltby, imho. And Chelios. And I have also read wingnuts complaining about “the Dives.” Who is your goalie again? The Divinator? Pot, kettle, winged wheel ....
I will say that I grew a tremendous amount of respect for Babcock when he called out Hasek for diving.
Posted by Bob from Boulder on 03/25/08 at 06:27 PM ET
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Posted by ColdWar on 03/25/08 at 07:22 AM ET