Dion Phaneuf Red Carpet Night
So, unless you've been living under a rock or are just willfully ignorant of hockey news, you already know that Dion Phaneuf is now a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club. Yes, Dion came in with thunder and bellicosity, even getting the Air Canada Centre suits on their feet chanting his name within the first 10 minutes of his first game.
This was like Phil Kessel Night 2.0, like Opening Night 3.0. A whole new season, again. Of course, I know you were all thinking: "With all the buzz once again around the Leafs, I wonder what the boys wore to the game?"
Well, lady and/or gentleman, you know where to turn for answers to questions like that, don't you? Right here, right now.
Before we get to Phaneuf Night, I'd like to share a couple hold-over snaps from a game earlier this season. It was an otherwise forgettable 7-2 loss to the Bruins, but I have a couple things I'd like to point out.
First of all, this is just the coolest shot of the year. Nikolai Kulemin leading the charge of the entire team down the hallway in suits. If I could make a video montage as an intro for these posts, I would likely use this as my establishing shot. We continue to see the evolution and maturation of Kulemin as he's fitted, leading the charge with his head up and a smirk on his face. Development, development, development. By far the most improved Leaf of the season.
I needed to post this Poni shot because he's straight killing it and I didn't see him on Phaneuf night. Is there any wonder why several top teams have been rumoured to be attempting to trade for him at the deadline? Tell me he wouldn't fit in nicely in nearly every locker room in the league. That haircut is worth a 2nd round pick in and of itself. What are the odds you'll draft a player with hair that good in the 2nd round?
I also had to post this just to point out how much I miss Mickey Grabs. You truly don't know what you've got till it's gone and I miss Grabovski like the desert misses the rain. I need more of this in my day-to-day life. He was having such an impressive season and it appears that he REALLY likes his iPhone. Get well soon, Grabbo.
And the final installment in this set is Christian Hanson. I chose to include this because frankly he gets kinda stiffed in the pic from Phaneuf Night and I believe there really is some potential here. Might need a shave and a haircut, but he's a hockey player so I understand why he's got it the way he does.
Alright, alright, alright. We're moving on from that crushing loss to Boston and looking ahead to the bright and shiny future of the team. As people have smartly pointed out, the new average age of this team is 26.5 years old. It is to be assumed, then, that there will be SEVERAL young players making their first appearances here at 'The Guide'. Of course, with no further adieu...
I'm assuming this is
This is John Mitchell. He never really comes close to the camera and he stays pretty blurry. What's your deal, John Mitchell? Are you going to come into focus on this team now that Stajan and Hagman have moved out of town? Or are you going to stay in the background, blurry with your hands in your pockets? There's a grey suit in there, isn't there? And maybe a nice tie? What's your game like, John Mitchell? You're such an enigma. I have no idea what to expect from you. Ever.
LUKE SCHENN. Remember when I said Luke Schenn being benched and getting a new suit was likely the turning point of his season? Well, Luke has been just excellent since that faithful day and I put all the credit on the suit. You can't see it here, but Luke is carrying a box in this picture. WHAT'S IN THE BOX, LUKE?
And here's the Christian Hanson picture that I alluded to above. His hockey hair goes well with a toque and the beard is really getting thick. Dude has game, I have to admit. What KIND of game, however? That remains to be seen. In the meantime, this is a nice solid look that will likely not steer you wrong or cost you games.
That's Carl Gunnarson. It seems to be a common theme with the rookies that they struggle to find the good lighting and are very small to the camera in the majority of these shots. I blame this on a number of things, including how new they are and the fact that they're all just walking into a room without paying mind to the fact that there's a camera on them. Very Un-Komisarek.Alright, so the kids are alright. There are some misses, sure, but it's tough to jump right into an NHL lineup and blow people away night in and night out with your suit-wear. It takes a certain getting used to. As you'll see, there are veterans ready to lead the way...
My first thought when I saw this picture was: "Damn, Wayne Primeau is HAPPY." Your guess as to what he's so happy about is as good as mine, but perhaps it has something to do with knowing that a handful of guys he'd just gotten to know (Stajan, Hagman & White) all just got traded to his old team, in exchange for dudes he knows quite well. Or maybe he's just happy he doesn't have to play on a line with Jamal Mayers anymore. That would make me pretty happy too. Hell, I'm happy just thinking about it.
Because it took me like a week to write this post, I need to mention: Rickard Wallin scored on Friday night. AGAINST MARTIN BRODEUR. AND HE WAS AWAKE THE WHOLE TIME. That's pretty cool. My theory? Wallin's beard is finally in mid-season form. He's finally got it up to where he had it when he was winning the championship in the SEL. This is a positive, in my opinion. I'm still very, very far from naming him an NHL sniper, it does stand to reason that he looks much more comfortable in his surroundings and his role on the team. The role, of course, is to try to not suck. (He's doing so/so)
Lee Stempniak. Just another day at the office. He's built for this. I think it's the hair and the fact that he's probably the best jacket-buttoner on the team.
The best part of the Phaneuf/Giguere deals? That guy in the toque sneaking in behind someone else is Phil Kessel. Remember when Kessel was the only good player on the team and took all the attention and was the hugest? Well, now he's got someone else in town to take all the media's attention and he should have a little more room to operate and slide into the dressing room behind someone else without causing too much commotion. Feels like a good thing. He looks comfortable.
Holy shit, say something negative about Colton's tie. I'm begging you. PLEASE say something negative. I need you to. Colton needs you to. Also, for legal reasons Colton needs you to throw the first punch so your beat-down is considered self defence. Come on, say something about the tie. I dare you.Alright, alright, we've seen what the pre-existing core of the franchise brings to the table on Dion Phaneuf Night. The last two cars to arrive, naturally, are those of the newcomers.
First and foremost, here's JS Giguere. Apparently he got the memo about it also being trench-coat night, but he's a step above the rookies who had it either flying wide open or scrunched up with their hands in their pockets. Most importantly: HE FOUND THE LIGHT. The clarity, the vision, the ability to recognize that he's being filmed and judged on his clothing choices. Crucial. He knows where to look, what to do and how to utilize the equipment he's got on. Also, this is the first time I've seen a picture of a Leaf in a suit with a drink in their hand that wasn't coffee. That's gatorade, fools. Electrolytes. Body fuel. No caffeine needed. Naturally, Giguere got a shutout shortly after this picture was taken. And finally...
Dion Phaneuf is about 2 inches of hair away from being an All-Star again, in my opinion. Take away the gelled-up fauxhawk and this is absolutely money in the m'in f'in bank. Straight cash, homie. When people talk about Dion's potential as a top tier d-man in the 'L', this is what they're talking about. That is a serious man, ready to take care o' business. Now, I've had a discussion with a few people about this suit and Dion's overall development and here's my two cents:
Listen, we all love the Mike Komisarek's of the world. Dudes who just know how to put it together and get dressed for the cameras in a market like Toronto or Montreal. Honestly, some guys just have it in them. For most of these kids, however, getting dressed up to come to a hockey game is merely something they've had to do their whole lives because their coaches said so. Dion, I feel, has picked up this skill from all his time spent gallivanting in the sun with Elisha Cuthbert. It's one thing to get dressed for the club with your teammates and head to a place where you'll have V.I.P. Access and sneak in a back door without anyone knowing you're there. It's a whole other animal to be dating an actress, knowing full well that every time you go out in public there's a very good chance you'll be photographed together. It's pressure. Every day it's pressure. I think that daily pressure of having to hang in the same league as a Hollywood Starlet (one who dated a man as stylish as Sean Avery,no less) is very, very good training for the pressure he's going to face every day as a member of the Maple Leafs.
So, when it came to be Dion's turn to get his own red carpet, for Dion's turn to have his 'Premiere', he didn't skimp on the style. Don't let your eyes deceive you: That's the once Cro-Magnon compared Dion Phaneuf, absolutely acing his red carpet walk in a suit that was clearly tailored to the tee for him. This was Dion's premiere and opening night was a rousing success. (PS- The Devils/Leafs sequel sucked. I suggest you skip it if you were lucky enough to have not watched it live)
