Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: dion+phaneuf
Phaneuf Needs To Stay On The Ice
by Paul on 09/21/09 at 06:38 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun,
The last thing Dion Phaneuf has to prove to anybody is that he’s tough.
And the last place the Flames need him is in the penalty box or on the surgeon’s table.
So it’s laughable to hear that after establishing himself as the NHL’s hardest hitter the last four years, Phaneuf is being criticized for refusing to fight a no-name knucklehead in a meaningless exhibition game.
Phaneuf is maturing to the point he knows every team in the league would rather have him off the ice and is justified in being selective in terms of when to punctuate his hits with fights.
While this space has long embraced fighting in the game, it’s embarrassing for critics who flooded sports talk radio phone lines to be so lacking in hockey knowledge to suggest every time he lays a forward out cleanly, he needs to follow it up with his fists.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Needs To Fight His Own Battles
by Paul on 09/19/09 at 08:58 AM ET
Comments (2)
from George Johnson of the Calgary Herald,
He’s a hitter. He’s a hunter. And physical presence remains an integral part of the game.
What is troublesome, though, and what has become a disturbing trend, is the big No. 3 stepping back, surveying the carnage he has wrought and letting someone else--the willing, but unfortunate Mark Giordano in this case--wade in to clean up the mess. To often unpleasant results.
As if he’s somehow above it all.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf With His Side Of The Story
by Paul on 09/18/09 at 08:58 PM ET
Comments (18)
from Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald via the National Post,
Go ahead. Call Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf a coward for refusing to drop the gloves in the aftermath of his vicious open-ice hit that sent New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo to hospital.
Tell Phaneuf he violated the unwritten NHL code by declining the many challenges to fight from Okposo’s teammates.
People have the right to their own opinions, Phaneuf said. But so does he.
“I felt it was a clean hit,” Phaneuf said Friday, a day after he laid out Okposo during the Flames’ 5-4 pre-season win over the Islanders. “That’s part of my game. I have to play that way.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Kyle+Okposo,
No Suspension For Phaneuf
by Paul on 09/18/09 at 03:17 PM ET
Comments (14)
Hit was reviewed...no suspension will be given. Reasons: wasn’t late, was not targeting head, did not launch or leave feet before collision
-Elliotte Friedman via his Twitter.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Okposo Was Defenseless On Phaneuf Hit
by Paul on 09/18/09 at 07:41 AM ET
Comments (24)
from Katie Strang of Isles Files at Newsday,
Thankfully Kyle Okposo is OK. He has a mild concussion and was cleared by doctors to fly back with the team on the charter to Saskatoon.
Okposo was the victim of a vicious open-ice hit from Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf. I’ve watched the replay several times, and if I were Okposo or his teammate I would not be happy. Phaneuf left his feet on impact, catching Okposo with a shoulder to the head as Okposo was looking down, rendering him completely defenseless.
note: Video was changed at 8:02am since it was better quality than the one that was posted.
added 8:10am, from Scott Cruickshank of Flames Insider at the Calgary Herald,
If you crumple a player with a clean check, are you on the hook to accept the first challenge that comes your way?
Is that part of the code? Hit big, then get ready to scrap all comers?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Kyle+Okposo,
Will Sutter Help Phaneuf Find His Game?
by Paul on 06/24/09 at 09:09 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun,
Wanting to see what new head coach Brent Sutter can do for the Calgary Flames, excited fans can’t wait for the fall.
One Flame in particular will be an interesting study.
Being reunited with his Red Deer Rebels coach from his stellar days in the WHL, Sutter’s hiring might be the best thing to happen to Dion Phaneuf.
Preaching a ‘wolfpack’ mentality for his teams, Sutter hopes to instil a new level of leadership and accountability in the Flames locker-room.
Since exploding onto the NHL scene as a rookie under the guidance of Brent’s brother Darryl in his last year as both head coach and GM of the Flames, Dion has increasingly looked a little more like a lone wolf.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Out
by Paul on 04/27/09 at 01:46 PM ET
Comments (4)
from CalgaryFlames.com,
Dion Phaneuf did not take part in the morning skate and head coach Mike Keenan erased all questions about the status of the blueliner for tonight’s contest.
“No, he will not,” was Keenan’s response when asked if Phaneuf would play. “He’s not available. And his status is day-to-day.”
Phaneuf’s teammates expressed their concern about his possible absence but remained positive that they could handle the 24-year-old’s workload.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Keenan Defends Phaneuf
by Paul on 03/31/09 at 08:01 PM ET
Comments (2)
via Vicki Hall of Flames Insider,
“I think he’s had a year of growth,” Keenan said. “Again, he’s 23 years old. People forget that. He’s learning. He’s learning more about his game. He’s learning more about the defensive aspect of his game. He’s learning more about the offensive aspect of his game.”
In 76 games, Phaneuf has 11 goals and 45 points with a plus-minus rating of minus-13.
“He will have fluctuations for a while yet, because of his age and his inexperience,” Keenan said, of the former Norris Trophy nominee. “He’s had some very strong games. For example, I told him he was a force in the Pittsburgh game. He was probably the best player on the ice. Because (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin were non-decript. They didn’t want anything to do with them. They certainly knew he was on the ice. They were looking for him. And he was a force in our game against Minnesota, and he was very much a part of the game last night.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Mike+Keenan,
Ebbett Talks About The Phaneuf Hit
by Paul on 02/12/09 at 07:39 PM ET
Comments (4)
from Dan Wood of Ducks Blog at the OC Register,
After taking part in a loose practice session during the club’s annual “First Flight” field trip for elementary-school students Thursday at Honda Center, Ducks rookie center Andrew Ebbett talked about the hit to the head he took from Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf the night before.
Sporting a broken nose, courtesy of the shot delivered by Phaneuf late in the second period of the Ducks’ 3-2, overtime victory, Ebbett considered himself fortunate he didn’t incur further damage.
“It doesn’t feel that good this morning,” Ebbett said. “Luckily, it didn’t give me a concussion or anything — I hope. The nose is just kind of throbbing.”
Ebbett related his recollection of the play near the Calgary blue line.
“I saw him coming, dumped it (the puck) by him,” Ebbett said. “I thought I had the inside track on him, to get on the inside. The last thing I saw was his arm kind of coming up. Watching the replay, it looks more like an elbow than a shoulder to me.”
continued and the only video of the hit I could find can be seen below…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Andrew+Ebbett, Dion+Phaneuf,
While On Break, Phaneuf Relaxes At A Lakers Game
by Paul on 01/24/09 at 04:51 PM ET
Comments (0)

Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Elisha+Cuthbert,
Phaneuf Hit On Umberger
by Paul on 01/22/09 at 08:39 AM ET
Comments (6)
via Tom Reed of Puck-rakers,
R.J. Umberger had a strong game with two goals and nearly a third midway through the third period. And if that wasn’t enough he was hammered from behind by Dion Phaneuf in the first period, drawing a game misconduct for boarding. Umberger smacked his cheek hard against the glass, but said he was mostly just dazed.
“I’m lucky I was so close to the boards,” he said. “If I were a little further out, I could have been in trouble.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, R.J.+Umberger,
Sutter Talks Phaneuf
by Paul on 01/17/09 at 10:08 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald,
From complaints about his goal output (four in 43 games) to concerns about his defensive play (minus-eight), Phaneuf no longer enjoys untouchable status when it comes to criticism from fans and media types. The all-star snub undoubtedly came as a shock to the Edmonton native. After all, Phaneuf already has two trips to the winter extravaganza on his resume.
He leads the league in ice time with an average of 27:41. He has 24 assists to bring his point total to 28.
“I think on the positive side-- minutes played, points and penalty killing--those are all things he’s right at the top of the league at or at least close in, “ Sutter said. “I think most of the talk from people is very selective. Meaning, they only look at goals.
“I didn’t know that’s how you evaluate defenceman--by goals. But apparently some people do.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
What’s Wrong, Dion?
by Alanah McGinley on 01/13/09 at 02:31 PM ET
Comments (6)
From George Johnson of the Calgary Herald (via the Vancouver Sun):
For the first time in a meteoric rise to the front lines of NHL defenceman, though, Dion Phaneuf’s timing has betrayed him.
His minutes may be up. But his plus-minus is lagging, badly, and his goal and hits total are way down. After being feted a Norris Trophy finalist nod and first all-star team selection last year, he wasn’t even an addition for the Jan. 25th All-Star Game at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
That couldn’t help but sting. During a half-season of astounding maturation for the Calgary Flames as a group, Phaneuf’s individual struggles have become a staple of Calgary Flames’ chat rooms. He’s on pace for six goals this season. He notched 20 a year ago. A minus-8 is second-worst on the team.
Inquiring minds want to know why.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: dion+phaneuf,
Phaneuf Hasn’t Reached The Next Level
by Paul on 01/10/09 at 08:51 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun,
From Norris Trophy finalist to all-star game absentee.
That’s not exactly the career path envisioned for Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
People think he’s taken a step back this season.
Really, he just hasn’t taken a step forward....
His minus-8 rating is a bigger concern than the paltry goal total. The only other active Flames defenceman who has a negative plus-minus is Adrian Aucoin at negative one. Some are calling Phaneuf the Tony Romo of the NHL.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
So-So Season For Phaneuf
by Paul on 12/27/08 at 08:01 AM ET
Comments (4)
from Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun,
As his team readies to face the slumping Senators, Phaneuf is a study of the glass being both half-full and half-empty.
On one hand, he has just three tallies—not exactly on pace with previous seasons. He scored 20 goals in his rookie year and 17 in the last two campaigns.
On the other hand, the blueliner has 23 points, which is close to being on target for his career-high.
On one hand, he’s a minus-11, which puts him near the bottom of the league.
On the other hand, he’s tops in the NHL with an average of nearly 28 minutes of ice-time per game.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Lucky With Eye Injury
by Paul on 11/11/08 at 07:36 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun,
His left eye swollen nearly shut and sporting stitches above and below, Dion Phaneuf was counting his blessings yesterday.
“It puts in perspective how important your eyes are,” he said.
“It’s not a lot of fun walking around with one eye, that’s for sure.”
Phaneuf looked worse for wear after Martin Havlat’s high stick came dangerously close to doing irreparable damage in Sunday’s clash between the Flames and Chicago Blackhawks in the Windy City.
As Phaneuf closed ground to make a body check in the opening minutes, Havlat brought his stick up and hit the Flames defenceman in the face, cutting him on the cheek and eyebrow.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Martin+Havlat,
Heavy Work-Load For Phaneuf
by Paul on 11/04/08 at 07:09 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald,
Not exactly known for his tittering engagements with the press, Phaneuf is coming off a weekend during which he shouldered an hour’s worth of ice time—64:32, to be exact—in back-to-back matches in Los Angeles (29:55) and Anaheim (34:37).
After offering a few pat answers—“when you’re asked to do a little bit more, you have to be ready for that”—Phaneuf is again encouraged to let the world know how he handled that tremendous workload.
Finally, a chuckle—or, at least, a smirk—from the 23-year-old.
“I feel great,” says Phaneuf, walking out of the dressing room.
“I feel great. Thanks for asking.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Move Over, Phaneuf
by Alanah McGinley on 06/10/08 at 08:47 AM ET
Comments (0)
From the Ottawa Sun,
As was first reported in the Sun on the weekend, Calgary Flames D Dion Phaneuf will be the main cover boy for Electronic Arts’ NHL 09 video game.
But the two-time all-star and 2007-08 Norris Trophy finalist won’t be getting the video game limelight all to himself.
Two countries will sell games with a player other than Phaneuf on the cover—one of them Sweden, where Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson draws the coveted cover spot. Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin will be on boxes in Russia.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alex+ovechkin, daniel+alfredsson, dion+phaneuf,
Phaneuf Makes the Cover
by Alanah McGinley on 06/08/08 at 06:42 PM ET
Comments (2)
From Steve Tilley via the Ottawa Sun,
Sun Media can exclusively reveal that the high-scoring, hard-hitting Calgary Flames defenceman will be the cover athlete for NHL 09, slated for release in September for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 game consoles.
“There are always a lot of options for who we want on our cover, and Phaneuf was a perfect choice for us this year,” said David Littman, lead producer of NHL 09. As with recent years, the game is being developed at EA Canada’s sprawling studio near Vancouver.
“He was very positive, and he was pretty pumped about being able to be on the cover,” Littman said of the Edmonton-born Phaneuf, 23, who has played three standout NHL seasons so far with the Flames.
Note: If you’re the superstitious-type, here’s a recap on the “EA Sports NHL Curse” from Sports Illustrated. Perhaps Phaneuf will be one of the lucky ones.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: dion+phaneuf, ea+sports,
Phaneuf….
by Paul on 05/07/08 at 08:41 AM ET
Comments (3)
Update11:42am ET: (by alanah) From Alexandra Burroughs at the Calgary Herald,
Alberta native and Calgary Flames star defenceman Dion Phaneuf became the latest hockey player to grace the pages of tabloids around the world. He and his fresh-from-the-playoffs abs were photographed with bikini-clad Calgary-born actress Elisha Cuthbert, star of TV thriller 24 and such Hollywood comedies as Old School. The duo was captured by paparazzi frolicking in the Hawaii surf, canoodling in the waves and generally enjoying (at least for Phaneuf) some well deserved time off. A video of the pair captured by celeb news agency Pacific Coast News was hot enough news that it was picked up and posted on YouTube.
more... of a fairly good article glancing over the ‘culture of celebrity’ in the hockey world.
The YouTube video referenced in the Herald article is below.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Is Relaxing
by Paul on 05/06/08 at 09:10 AM ET
Comments (7)
Remember Dion Phaneuf turning down Team Canada because he needed to rest and heal from a tough playoff series?
Well, he sure is resting (with video)!

Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf The Most Complete Defenseman
by Paul on 04/22/08 at 07:07 PM ET
Comments (3)
from Eric Francis at Best of Seven,
Given the number of points Lidstrom puts up and the great team he plays on, he’ll continue to dominate the Norris for years.
However, no blueliner is as complete as Phaneuf.
No one hits harder, no one shoots harder and few in the game are as competitive as the ever-evolving Edmonton native.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Road Show Not A Hit
by Paul on 04/11/08 at 10:08 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun,
There was no chance of the Shark Tank faithful serenading Phaneuf with a song for his special day, not while they were busy firing the boos that were raining down on him in both games so far in this series. Every time Phaneuf touched the puck, the boobirds came out.
“They obviously don’t like the way I play or they’re just trying to do their part to help contribute,” Phaneuf said with a shrug.
“It’s part of the game. It’s a fun building to play in—there’s a lot of energy and a lot of emotion.
“They’re a loud group of fans, so it’s an exciting building to play in.”
Phaneuf may be a fan favourite in the Stampede City, but it’s not a show that goes on the road.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Evening Line
by Paul on 04/07/08 at 08:10 PM ET
Comments (1)
from the Globe and Mail,
“They’ve got size and skill up front and a really strong back end,” Phaneuf said. “It’ll be a battle. You have to be aware when [San Jose centre Joe Thornton] is on the ice. We’ll have to do a job on him.”
more on the Flames and Phaneuf…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Is Phaneuf Norris Worthy
by Paul on 03/27/08 at 09:05 AM ET
Comments (5)
from Bruce Dowbiggin of the Calgary Herald,
And it begs the question whether the precocious 22-year-old should now be mentioned along with the Nick Lidstroms and Chris Prongers as a candidate for the Norris. As a human highlight reel leading Calgary to first place during the past two weeks, it’s getting harder to argue that Phaneuf’s time isn’t now. He eats up ice time and has the knack of being his most competitive in the big games. He has won the enmity of opposing players for his nasty side.
It comes down to your idea of how complete a defenceman needs to be to qualify.
added 10:49am, more on the Norris race at the Calgary Herald…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf The Humanitarian
by Paul on 03/26/08 at 07:28 AM ET
Comments (3)
from the Calgary Flames,
The Calgary Flames Hockey Club announced Tuesday Dion Phaneuf has been named the recipient of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award. The Scurfield Award is presented each year to the Flames player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, determination and leadership on the ice, combined with dedication to community service.
In his third professional season, defenceman Dion Phaneuf has not only established himself as an elite player but has also proven he is a proud Albertan who truly understands how important it is to use his profile to enhance the work of local charities and make a positive impact on his community.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Is A Punk
by Paul on 03/25/08 at 07:26 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,
Phaneuf’s Shorty
by Paul on 03/23/08 at 09:08 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Flames Insider at the Calgary Herald,
Hard to think of a better goal at the Saddledome this season than Dion Phaneuf’s coast-to-coast job against the Wild on Saturday night.
continued with youtube video…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Was The Extra Hit Needed
by Paul on 02/23/08 at 08:49 AM ET
Comments (22)
Red Wings play-by-play man Ken Daniels felt Dion Phaneuf could have let-up on a hit on the Wings Tomas Kopecky last night. Your thoughts?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf, Tomas+Kopecky,
Phaneuf Signed
by Paul on 02/06/08 at 02:35 PM ET
Comments (1)
via the Calgary Flames,
Calgary Flames General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the signing of Dion Phaneuf to a six-year contract extension. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“It remains very important for us to lock up our key young players,” said Sutter. “Our goal with Dion was to provide an arrangement that will allow him to take his game to the next level.”
“I’m excited about the prospect of playing another six years in Calgary,” said Phaneuf. “In fact, I never thought I would be playing anywhere else. I am proud to be a member of this organization and will continue to concentrate on the job at hand - making and advancing in the playoffs this year and for years to come.”
added 2:44pm, Sources tell TSN that the deal is worth $6.5 million a season.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Report: Phaneuf on Verge of New Flames Deal
by Alanah McGinley on 01/31/08 at 12:31 AM ET
Comments (1)
From TSN,
It looks like the Calgary Flames are close to locking up one of their cornerstone players.
Sources tell TSN that Dion Phaneuf is on the verge of signing a contract extension with the club, with only a few minor details to be worked out.
added 8:27am, from Tom Gulitti of Fire & Ice,
For those of you obsessed with those silly Dion Phaneuf rumors being spread by the uninformed, TSN is reporting tonight that he’s on the verge of signing an extension with the Calgary Flames. That should put an end of all of the speculation.
By the way, I’ve been told that a certain blogger has been taking Devils’ info off of this site and posting it on his site without attribution. I hope it isn’t true because that would be unethical.
Well stated Tom!
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, contract, Dion+Phaneuf,
All Phaneuf
by Paul on 01/28/08 at 06:42 PM ET
Comments (0)
from David Amber at ESPN,
Keep your head up, or you might meet Dion Phaneuf the hard way.
The 22-year old All-Star is geared up for a big game in Atlanta, where his bullet-like shot was on display. In this week’s Facing Off, the league’s hardest hitter tells us what it’s like playing for his hometown’s archrival, why he may be the most feared player in the game and who he thinks is the team to beat this season in the NHL....
Q: Mike Richards just signed a 12-year $69-million deal with Philadelphia. You will become a restricted free agent on July 1. What dialogue have you had with the Flames about signing a contract extension?
A: Can’t comment on that. We’ve haven’t been talking yet. As far as the deal Mike signed, I think it’s a great deal. Some guys are going to the longer-term deal, some guys prefer a shorter deal. It’s really up to the player and the team to work it out, and hopefully both sides can be happy.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Home Team Discount
by Paul on 01/28/08 at 09:23 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun,
On the heels of the Dion Phaneuf All-Star Love-in, let’s get one thing straight about the contract the Calgary Flames defenceman will eventually sign for employment next year.
If indeed he is going to remain in Calgary, he will have to leave money on the table. A ton of it.
Thanks to Kevin Lowe’s desperate attempts to throw money away by way of offer sheets to restricted free agents, today’s NHL is such Phaneuf would certainly attract open market offers this summer well over the $7 million a year captain Jarome Iginla makes.
continued and more NHL talk…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Near Norris-Like Status
by Paul on 01/24/08 at 10:18 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun,
Even before Dion Phaneuf slipped on a Calgary Flames sweater, the predictions were made.
Without even skating in an NHL game, belief was the talented defenceman had a future that included one or more Norris Trophy accolades.
Now, in the midst of his third season, is that a fair belief? Does Phaneuf’s destiny include being the NHL’s best defenceman?
“Oh yeah,” said Flames centre Craig Conroy without flinching. “You look at the guys who are the top defencemen in the league—(Nicklas) Lidstrom, (Chris) Pronger, (Scott) Niedermayer, (Brian) Rafalski, even, is up there. How many are young guys? How many young, young guys can you say that about?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Always Thinking Hockey
by Paul on 01/14/08 at 06:45 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,
Phaneuf also plays the point on the power play, where he has more shots (139) than any other NHL defencemen. He plays on the penalty kill, and, of course, five-on-five. He’s only 22 and Sunday’s game was only his 207th career outing, but you’d never know it....
He’s good; maybe even Norris-trophy good some day, whenever Lidstrom retires.
“He’s pretty much wired for sound every day,” says Keenan of his young blue-liner. “You never worry about Dion liking hockey or living life. It’s his personality ... he’s a treat to be around,” adds Keenan, who’s coached some big-minute, high-end D-men—Chris Pronger in St. Louis, Mark Howe in Philadelphia and Brian Leetch in New York. Guys who want to be out on the ice all the time and don’t run out of gas.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Only At General Discussion Stage With Flames
by Paul on 01/09/08 at 08:12 AM ET
Comments (0)
from the National Post,
Standing near the Calgary Flames dressing room yesterday morning, Don Meehan scoffed.
The agent confirmed that those numbers blowing out of the east all winter—a five-year extension at US$30-million for Dion Phaneuf, a 10-year extension worth $60-million—are, in fact, fabrications.
“You know, I think it’s people making guesses, really,” said Meehan, who, of course, would know—he is the representative of Phaneuf, who is facing restricted free agency this summer. Calgary’s young defenceman yesterday was elected as a starter for the first time for National Hockey League All-Star Game later this month.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
The Big Hitter
by Paul on 01/03/08 at 02:17 PM ET
Comments (0)
from George Johnson at ESPN,
Phaneuf’s renown, however, rides on his ability to sap people of their senses. He currently sits a comfortable second in Western Conference All-Star voting among defenseman, trailing only the inevitable and unavoidable Lidstrom. And Phaneuf isn’t getting that kind of broad-based love at the ballot box for nimble poke-checks, stylish tie-ups or witty repartee.
He will develop over time and become a more well-rounded defenseman. He may even add some curly-cues to his repertoire. But what fans relish, and opposing forwards dread, is Dion Phaneuf, the Terminator.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf’s Value
by Paul on 12/14/07 at 05:17 PM ET
Comments (3)
from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,
In the aftermath of that mammoth 12-year, $69 million contract signed by Mike Richards with the Philadelphia Flyers the other day, the question now muddling the NHL salary waters is: How high will the Calgary Flames go in getting defenceman Dion Phaneuf signed to a contract extension? For all the fuss over Richards and Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Brown and all the young players coming to the ends of their first entry-level contracts, what might someone pay to get a physical force such as Phaneuf in the line-up?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Dion+Phaneuf,
Keep Your Head Up Hudler
by Paul on 11/28/07 at 07:50 AM ET
Comments (15)
Phaneuf put a big hit on Hudler last night in the 3rd period. Hudler had been agitating Dion most of the night and you just had a feeling Phaneuf was looking for the right opportunity to pay him back.
Watch the video of the hit…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, detroit+red+wings, Dion+Phaneuf, Jiri+Hudler,
Columnist Was Wrong
by Paul on 11/16/07 at 07:13 AM ET
Comments (0)
from the Calgary Sun,
According to an eastern-based columnist, rising star defenceman Dion Phaneuf and his agent had rejected a contract proposal from the Flames.
Only one problem, said Phaneuf’s agent Don Meehan.
“We have never discussed a number,” he said yesterday.
more and that eastern-based columnist was pointed to a few days ago…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, Dion+Phaneuf, don+meehan, media,
I’ll Go With The Insider On This One
by Paul on 11/14/07 at 02:55 PM ET
Comments (4)
from Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider on AO contract talks…
Nothing has changed, he said, since the last time I asked him about this on Oct. 29 in Toronto, adding that serious talks still have not started and that he’s not sure when they might.
I asked him if that lack of an offer is bothering him. At first he said, “No.” Then he paused for a moment before saying, “Of course I think about my contract. It would be stupid to answer that I don’t think about my contract. Of course I think about it. But we don’t start talking. We just wait. We still have time.”
This earlier today from Marty York at Metro News,
Two young NHL stars, defenceman Dion Phaneuf and forward Alexander Ovechkin, have rejected contract-extension proposals from the Calgary Flames and Washington Capitals, respectively.
The Caps offered Ovechkin a five-year pact similar to the deal the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Sidney Crosby ($8.7 million a season), but the sniper is demanding more — between $9- and $10-million a year.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Alexander+Ovechkin, calgary+flames, contract, Dion+Phaneuf, washington+capitals,
Flames Hope To Avoid Offer Sheet For Phaneuf
by Paul on 11/11/07 at 08:28 AM ET
Comments (0)
from the Calgary Sun,
Hot on the heels of a six-year extension for goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, there’s talk in Calgary the Flames might be a small step closer to signing Dion Phaneuf to a long-term contract.
The 22-year-old defenceman’s agent, Don Meehan, was in town last week, and it’s believed he spent time meeting with Flames general manager Darryl Sutter about a possible extension.
Sources say talks were informal and could help lead to a deal but no dollars were discussed.
Phaneuf’s entry-level contract expires at the end of this season, and as a restricted free agent, he’d be a prime candidate for an offer sheet from another team.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, Dion+Phaneuf, don+meehan,
Phaneuf Bothered By Sore Leg
by Paul on 11/07/07 at 10:43 AM ET
Comments (0)
from the Calgary Sun,
Only two Flames players were exempt from the exhausting conditioning skate that came at the end of yesterday’s practice.
One of the absences could spell trouble for the club. Defenceman Dion Phaneuf is out indefinitely with a leg injury.
“Dion went for an x-ray,” said coach Mike Keenan after the hour-long session wrapped up at the Saddledome.
“He re-aggravated an (old) injury, and then he bumped it again (Monday) night. It’s a recurrence and he needs some time to heal.”
update 3:06pm, via TSN,
The 22-year-old Edmonton native had the leg x-rayed on Tuesday and the results were negative. He plans to skate tomorrow and is probable to play against Vancouver Thursday evening.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, Dion+Phaneuf,
Phaneuf Doing His Job
by Paul on 10/06/07 at 06:36 AM ET
Comments (0)
from the Calgary Sun,
The numbers along Dion Phaneuf’s name on the stats sheet nearly light up.
In the season opener, the Calgary Flames defenceman fired three shots on goal, recorded five hits and collected a pair of assists—including one when Daymond Langkow deflected his powerplay point shot.
But the eye-popping digits from the 3-2 loss to Philadelphia Thursday night fall under the category of minutes played: 31:20.
“Yeah, we see the sheets,” Phaneuf said. “You play when you’re asked to play. When you get tapped to go, it’s your job to go out and do your job.
“Some nights it may be more and some nights it may be less, but when you’re asked to go, you go out and do your job.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, Dion+Phaneuf,
Sun Media can exclusively reveal that the high-scoring, hard-hitting Calgary Flames defenceman will be the cover athlete for NHL 09, slated for release in September for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 game consoles.