Leafs changing jersey; naming Phaneuf captain

[MacK_Attack 108]

I too like the 1960's retro 3rd jersey the best, but I gotta admit I like the Harold Ballard era jerseys as well

With all the jersey changes we've seen since the early 1990's - ya gotta believe the MLSE are reaping huge profits.

Jersey sales bottomed out the last couple years because everybody thought the "practice jersey" they've been using was ugly and there's been a lack of secure names to put on a jersey.

Phaneuf jerseys started flying off the shelves as soon as they got him, though.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

They also announced a new design fourth uniform as well.

Could have more than likely been the picture that spurred this on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD4ReELmq_s

[titanium2 867]

Jersey sales bottomed out the last couple years because everybody thought the "practice jersey" they've been using was ugly and there's been a lack of secure names to put on a jersey.

Phaneuf jerseys started flying off the shelves as soon as they got him, though.

Is Phaneuf a locker room cancer? That's the hearsay but is it any true?

[MacK_Attack 108]

Is Phaneuf a locker room cancer? That's the hearsay but is it any true?

No, never been any indication of that in Toronto. The impression seems to be that his intensity, work ethic and expectations have brought about a level of accountability.

[Puckpossession 3]

I heard somehow Parise might got to toronto, but dont see how it wud happen

[Barrie 900]

I heard somehow Parise might got to toronto, but dont see how it wud happen

lol, sounds like something Burke would say.

[hgimn 1]

Agreed...Add the blue version for home games, and they're set.

Me thinks MLSE does alot of this knowing Maple Leaf fans will spend alot of $$$ every 3 to 5 years on a new set of jerseys.

I've read that the alternate will be replaced after this current season from a jersey from a different era in their past.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I've read that the alternate will be replaced after this current season from a jersey from a different era in their past.

I haven't heard that. Everything I have heard suggests they are keeping the 60s retro jersey.

[kook_10 1,705]

from a couple months ago:

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/postedsports/archive/2010/03/30/leafs-considering-another-uniform-change.aspx

Tom Anselmi, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment's COO, said the organization is redesigning its third jersey, which currently is a throwback to the early 1960s. While he would not get into specifics, he said the team is looking at its rich history for ideas. Any change would not take effect until the 2011-12 season.

"It's premature to get into a lot of specifics," said Anselmi. "But we're going to change the third jersey. When you get into the Leafs history, it gets real fascinating. When you go back, there's all kinds of intricate changes."

[hgimn 1]

from a couple months ago:

http://network.nationalpost.com/NP/blogs/postedsports/archive/2010/03/30/leafs-considering-another-uniform-change.aspx

There it is.I couldn't find the article.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

No, never been any indication of that in Toronto. The impression seems to be that his intensity, work ethic and expectations have brought about a level of accountability.

That's a nice change of pace in TO.

[Paul MacLean's Mustache 44]

Think about this logically....

Mats Sundin will be succeeded by Dion Phaneuf.

Let that sink in now....

[mjlegend 155]

I doubt they ever will, since it represents the darkest era in franchise era.

I thought that was 2006-10?

At least some of those mid-80s Leaf teams made the playoffs.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

those 80s leaf jerseys are ugly

[13dangledangle 968]

Komisarek & Beauchemin

Over Phaneuf? Dion is certainly deserving of this, or at very least will show he is. He fits in perfect with what Toronto loves, smaller tuff as nails kind of guy. The Marketing boys will love this>Dion will have a key to the city in no time.

Edited June 12, 2010 by 13dangledangle

[Xitium 272]

[Hockey13Playa 240]

Winner!

[MacK_Attack 108]

I thought that was 2006-10?

At least some of those mid-80s Leaf teams made the playoffs.

Only because 16 of 20 teams made the playoffs.

[SweWings 45]

Think about this logically....

Mats Sundin will be succeeded by Dion Phaneuf.

Let that sink in now....

Clark then Gilmour then Sundin... then Phaneuf... Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Only because 16 of 20 teams made the playoffs.

Exactly. It's the same reason Detroit made the playoffs most of the 80s.

As for Phaneuf wearing the C? It seems like a bad move to me, but honestly I don't have a lot of solid info to back it up. Just seems like not the best choice, but I know they're trying to get a fresh start there.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I always thought my boy Aki Berg was being groomed for Leaf captaincy, but sadly, they released him several years ago amidst rumors of subpar play.

[McAwesome 754]

I may be in the minority here, but I think this is a good move by the Leafs. Kaberle would have been the first option, but his contract is up next year and even if he doesn't get traded this off-season, he likely will not re-sign in Toronto, and aside from Kessel, there are not really any players who have name recognition on the Leafs, and Phaneuf is young and under contract for 4 more years, that makes him as good a candidate for captain as they have. I don't know about the whole locker room cancer label he has gotten, unless people are referring to the pics of him chain-smoking in the Calgary locker room

He may not be as good a player as his hype suggests, but I think this is a good move for the Leafs from a marketing and financial standpoint, the hockey aspect remains to be seen.

[Finnish Wing 110]

I always thought my boy Aki Berg was being groomed for Leaf captaincy, but sadly, they released him several years ago amidst rumors of subpar play.

Seriously

You have obviously studied Finnish hockey or something like that. How else you'd know legendary players like Aki Berg and Lasse Kukkonen.

[Barrie 900]

Nice job Clears

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Seriously

You have obviously studied Finnish hockey or something like that. How else you'd know legendary players like Aki Berg and Lasse Kukkonen.

Well, I know Aki Berg has been the butt end of Leafs fans jokes for years. That guy was a wonder to watch, especially when he fought. I know Kukkonen because I like the way his name sounds.

I'm actually becoming quite an expert on Finnish culture ever since I started watching Kaurismaki's movies. I may come visit you sometime. You and Mindfly on my Scandinavian voyage.