Well, put that trade proposal in your head on hold.
Horachek: Dion Phaneuf is week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained prior to the all-star break.
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) January 26, 2015
The team reported that the injury occurred before the break.
Already firing former head coach Randy Carlyle, the Leafs are in an absolute tailspin. Having lost six in a row before the break, the team has yet another blow to their roller coaster season. Captain Dion Phaneuf has been criticized for his lack of leadership and untimely penalties, leading the team in that category at 85.
He is second to Cody Franson among Maple Leaf defensemen in points at 22, but his defensive play has taken some heat. Collectively, the leafs give up an average of 3.10 goals (25th) per game. Per every 60 minutes Dion Phaneuf plays, he is on the ice for an average of 2.81 goals, 4th out of the defensive core. His presence, however, will be a decent loss for blueline mixed with veterans and young defensemen such as Jake Gardiner and Stephane Robidas.
Interim Coach Peter Horachek in the midst of swirling rumors, just hopes he’ll be back sooner rather than later.
“We’re hoping to get (Phaneuf) back as soon as possible. he’s a tough guy. He’s going to play through those things as best he can. He did whatever he had to do to stay in the game. Being as tough as he is, he finished the game[Wednesday]. Everyone has to pull up the slack.”
-Leafs Interim Head Coach Peter Horachek, Toronto Star
The Leafs made some counteractive moves after the announcement.
.@SportChek Player Alert: The #Leafs have recalled Petter Granberg & Josh Leivo from the Marlies. #TMLtalk DETAILS: http://t.co/EVcMkTtUrv
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 26, 2015
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Quote courtesy of Toronto Star
Stats courtesy of Hockey.Stats Analysis and Leafs.NHL.com
