Exactly what was said when the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled the trigger on their biggest trade of the year? We take you behind the scenes to show you what went down on February 9th, 2016.

In all seriousness, as the season winds down sputters to a close and we look to the future, it’s not hard to imagine the trade of Dion Phaneuf reaping some extra benefit down the road.

It’s been repeated over and over again that the Leafs management is rebuilding using skill and speed. While Phaneuf is showcasing more offensive skill this season compared to recent years, he has never been a fleet footed defenseman.

If a 33 year old Dion Phaneuf lines up against a corps of speedy young Leafs in the 2018 playoffs, you have to wonder if we as Leafs fans might find ourselves on the winning side of a missed pinch by our former Captain.

Now, I’m not saying all this to take shots at Phaneuf – I think think he’s a good defenseman. But there’s some extra satisfaction in knowing that a division rival will be icing an older Dion Phaneuf when Toronto is enlisting the speed of players like Nikita Soshnikov, Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylander, and the like.

Was this all part of plan when the trade was executed?

It’s hard to say, but I would never underestimate the Loufather.

Special thanks to frenemy of TheLeafsNation, @JSBMjeanshorts, for collaborating with me to procure this footage.





