Leaf Army
Registered User
Im actually a Phaneuf supporter, for the most part.That said, I think it's tome for a new voice to emerge and change the energy and atmosphere around the team. It's probably best for both the player and team at this point if he is traded. The value is not only in the return, but in the change in culture which is probably necessary at this point.
This mindset is exactly how terrible trades get made. These are the types of trades that happen and then you look back and say what were they thinking.
I have no doubt that a trade would be best for Phaneuf. I'm not really concerned with that though. I'd take no pleasure in watching Phaneuf have success somewhere else. I only care about the Leafs.
A culture change might be needed but who exactly is going to provide that? Do we have some other great leader waiting in the wings that's being held down by Phaneuf? I don't think so. A culture change can still happen with Phaneuf on the team.
A new voice to go along with Phaneuf would go a lot further I think than just replacing Phaneuf's voice with a different one.