Similar to the hole in the middle of the first line, the absence of legitimate number one goalie and the instability of the team’s defence corps, leadership is an issue that has haunted the Toronto Maple Leafs for years.
Here’s some good news and some bad news for Leaf fans. Good: the Leafs’ leadership situation has improved over last season. Bad: it’s still not good enough to succeed in the post-season.
When Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Maple Leafs by the Calgary Flames back in January of 2010, no one expected him to become the Leafs’ next captain. In fact, it was still strongly believed at the time that Luke Schenn was on his way to acquiring that role, something that ultimately never came to fruition.
Phaneuf was eventually named captain, which was just one step he took on his way to becoming the league’s best defenceman “by a country mile.”
This according to then-Leafs head coach Ron Wilson:
“Personally I think by a country mile he’s the best defenseman in the league. It’s not even close right now. I think he’s comfortable in his own skin. He’s comfortable being the captain, he’s healthy and I think without taking away from his play, the way Carl Gunnarsson’s played has made Dion’s job a lot easier. It’s just freed up Dion to play as best as I’ve ever seen him.” – Ron Wilson, October 29, 2012
But does Phaneuf’s on-ice talent and the fact that he dons a ‘C’ on the front of his uniform make him a great leader? Not necessarily.
While this column is being written with little knowledge of what actually goes on inside the Maple Leafs’ dressing room, we can speculate who the team’s best leaders are simply by their actions through the media, community involvement, and their willingness to stick up for one another.
Keep in mind that we’re not just talking one or two of those qualities, but all three and perhaps more that are unmentioned. They all set a good example for their teammates, fans and even league and team executives.
First we’ll start with the media, where Dion really seems to struggle.
In no way is this column meant to call out or criticize any team or person, but it’s clear that Phaneuf lacks the ability to effectively communicate through and with the media. His interviews are dull at best and don’t give off any sort of leadership vibe.
It’s not just him, though. Guys like Phil Kessel, Clarke MacArthur and Joffrey Lupul also come off as quite guys for the most part. Aside from the media, you could make the argument that they shouldn’t have to stick up for their teammates because they need to be focused on producing offensively, but success on the score sheet isn’t the only important aspect to playing hockey.
Sure Phaneuf, Kessel, MacArthur and Lupul all put time into their own community; if you want to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially under Brian Burke, community involvement is a must. But do they contribute to the extent that teammate John-Michael Liles does?
For those of you who don’t know, Liles started the Liles’ Buds program, which, in short, recognizes kids who stand up against bullying. That’s a great cause and it’s certainly something to support, but Liles doesn’t posses many other leadership traits.
He doesn’t seem very vocal, isn’t the most energetic guy─at least not when speaking to the media─and doesn’t appear to be the “don’t mess with my teammates or you’ll have me to deal with me” type. Not that he should drop the gloves more often, but every player on the ice should be willing to take a stance against the opposition.
So where does this leave us? Well there are still those who bring a veteran presence to the locker room, but don’t seem to make an overly large impact. We’re talking about the Tim Connollys, the Matthew Lombardis, the David Steckels and the Mike Komisareks. There is also newly signed Jay McClement, but given that he is new to the team it’s still too early to judge.
After a year─two years in Komisarek’s case─of watching the above four (McClement excluded), it has quickly become clear to the average Joe that none of them are the type of player you would deem a standout leader in the room.
That’s enough of the bad, though. All of this down-talk is enough to make you think the Leafs don’t have the proper guidance to make it to the playoffs. The reality is that while the Maple Leafs might not have the leadership to help them succeed in the post-season, they do have enough to get them there.
The struggles of last season have undoubtedly brought the team closer. There’s no possible way a group of people can go through a collapse like the one the Leafs experienced during the latter half of he 2011-12 campaign and not become more tightly knit. They are now aware of how to avoid a slump of that magnitude, what to do when they begin to struggle and how to work their way out of it.
This simply shows that they all have enough leadership in each and everyone one of them to feed off each other. But the issue remains the same; the Maple Leafs still don’t have a player on their roster who will step up and take control in an appropriate manner.
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no love for grabos on ice leadership?
He can’t even speak english lol
hence “on ice”
I’m trying to look beyond on ice leadership here. Anyone who produces points can be considered a leader on the ice.
A good article Lukas. Thank you.
However I do think Lupul – although the comical side does show itself , tends to come over with some considered intelligent answers and is not intimidated by the media. He leads by example on the ice and as you point out, what happens in the dressing room is pure speculation.
I’ve always thought he was good captaincy material. Considering all the other potential candidates there should be four team members chosen for each quarter of the season. Democratic? A Mad idea or just Nonsense.
I don’t think you can base their leadership skills off of their media communication and presentation skills. Also, some take time to grow accustomed to their role as leaders, and eventually become molded/mold themselves into great ones. Datsyuk, Modano, Yzerman, etc. did not become great Captains (and players, mind you) overnight, and I think we should at least hold off on evaluating and criticizing the “leadership”, especially when you think of the amount of turnover that the Leafs have had over the past few seasons.
What goes on in the dressing room is as much for you to guess as for us, as none of us are players in the Leafs organization. I’ll reserve my own judgement about Dion’s leadership capabilities for now and will employ the wait-and-see tactic. Also, have you seen Liles, Lupul, etc. giving good interviews, because if not, I do implore that you attempt to look for them before criticizing them beforehand. Regardless, a good article that calls into question a possible problem that many others seem to have been wondering about as well.
Just one last point: not that I’m criticizing Wilson, but he may have had an effect as well on the players and the team as a whole in terms of leadership and direction.
Certainly can’t base it only off media and presentation, but only the players and coaches know what actually goes on inside the room, so we can’t really look at anything else. Just getting a vague idea.
You’re correct in saying that they need time to mold into great leaders and there is certainly time for that. I’m simply saying they aren’t great leaders yet and a great leader is something the Leafs don’t have at the time.
Glad you enjoyed it, Len.
! YOU NAILED IT! ABSOLUTELY GREAT ARTICLE, VERY ASTUTE!
Thanks, Scott. Glad you enjoyed.
What are your leadership credentials Lukas? I mean when I look at car reviews I like them to come from mechanics and food reviews from persons with culinary backgrounds. so please enlighten us. where does your leadership expertise come from?
I lead Maple Leafs Central, as a Contributing Editor I’m one of the leaders at The Hockey Writers, I’ve held management positions at various other jobs, I’m continuously chosen to lead various projects, etc.
Your point being?
I think a more valid point (that the OP should have made) is that we would be basing our conclusions on leadership mostly on speculation and media scrums, when we shouldn’t as they aren’t a good tell of someone`s leadership abilities. Also, different people become different leaders who lead through different means – vocally, by example, encouragement, hard work, etc.
Although Komisarek hasn’t demonstrated leadership through stellar on-ice play, at the same time he has tried to stick up for his teammates through thick and thin (Lucic fight after the Boston drubbing); he also wasn’t the alternate captain for the Canadiens without good reason, unless both clubs made a poor judgement of character. Lupul seems to be quite the vocal and comical guy, and has played through adversity to put up a spectacular, career year. Liles, IMO can be similar to Lupul, and before the concussion was putting up great numbers, and participates passionately (as noted by you) through charity. Arguably, Phaneuf was the best defenceman for the Leafs, as some advanced numbers would point out, as well as the minutes logged per night. The fact he didn’t seem to play that “well”, looked sluggish, etc. might have been because of him playing too many minutes a game when ice time could’ve/should’ve been delegated more efficiently. He comes across as cardboard in interviews, but everyone’s said that in the dressing room, he’s a completely different person (the same thing also said about Kessel). MacArthur has done an admirable job of being a stopgap, and has some grit in him (watch his fights). Kessel has been the lone offensive catalyst for the Leafs, and I agree that he shouldn’t be wearing the A anytime soon – although that doesn’t mean he can’t or shouldn’t in the future should he choose to act as a leader.
Although I think it’s too early to judge Connolly and Lombardi on a complete basis, I’d agree that they really haven’t contributed much. Steckel on the other hand, I wouldn’t say so confidently – he does his expected role, and does it well – he also doesn’t provide cookie-cutter answers to the media, and most likely gets to the point/root of the issue as well with teammates alike. McClement can’t even be judged seeing as how he hasn’t played a game for the Leafs, so I wouldn’t really know why he’s in the article TBH – in fact, he was wearing the A with Colorado, so how bad could he really be?
That’s all for my long-winded rants for now, and hopefully you don’t take offense to what I had to say. I enjoyed reading the article + comments though. :)
The Leafs certainly have strong offensive leaders; Lupul and Kessel of note. But what they don’t have is a variety of leaders. There is some good guidance on the ice, but what about off it? Of course we don’t know everything, but it appears that way.
gilmore should be the coach he has the ability to take the team through and lift that lord stanley over their heads.
But where’s the proof of that? Gilmour has never coached an NHL game; Carlyle has won the Stanley Cup as a head coach.
Great read and I totally agree. Best post yet, Lukas!
Great to hear, Harlan. Thanks a bunch.