Kukla's Korner Hockey

A solution found to the Carlyle-Phaneuf complex?
by George Malik on 03/30/14 at 06:00 AM ET
Comments (0)
George here on the late shift...
The Boston Globe's Fluto Shinzawa's notebook covers a myriad of topics, and its thrust involves the roles Rob DiMaio and Tim Taylor play in the St. Louis Blues' organization, but this quip about the Toronto Maple Leafs coach's relationship with his captain...Is probably a more astute analysis of the ways in which a coach can manage a team's most meaningful player's play than anything coming out of Toronto over the next six months:
Phaneuf isn’t a bad defenseman, but he’s not a smart one. As captain, Phaneuf recognizes he’s surrounded by deficiencies. So he tries to do too much — pinch low in the offensive zone, sprint into center ice to throw a big hit, pursue the puck carrier in the corners. None of that helps his team.
It is Carlyle’s mandate to keep Phaneuf collared to his position. If he played a simpler game, Phaneuf would be a much better defenseman. Phaneuf is strong, fit, and mobile. Those attributes benefit a stay-at-home defenseman.
Instead, Phaneuf chases the game. This isn’t lost on his teammates. The captain sets the example. His teammates fall in line and chase the puck instead of controlling it.
Carlyle could have stopped this a long time ago. A coach’s best tool is ice time. Carlyle could have stuck Phaneuf on the bench after each positional gaffe. Phaneuf would have shaped up quickly. He didn’t. Carlyle might have to pay the price for that.
Shinzawa continues at length, and frankly, that's some profound stuff up there.
Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: dion+phaneuf,
randy+carlyle,
toronto+maple+leafs
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.

Most Recent Blog Posts
Fast Guys, Offers Sheets And Summertime Offer Sheets
Congratulations, You’re In The Russian Army
A Three-Year Deal For Brock Boeser In Vancouver
Video- Robert Luongo On Entering The Hockey Hall Of Fame
Jim Montgomery Is The New Head Coach For The Boston Bruins
Cap Squeeze Hits The New York Rangers
Rick Bowness Headed To The Winnipeg Jets
A Seven-Year Deal For Nick Paul In Tampa
Happy Canada Day And Happy 4th Of July Long Weekend
The San Jose Sharks Now Need A Head Coach While The GM Search Continues
About Kukla's Korner Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at pk@kuklaskorner.com