The first few seasons of Dion Phaneuf made it look like the Defenseman would be a future Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. It likely won’t happen, but Phaneuf’s career is worth a solid look.
Phaneuf debuted in the NHL with Calgary in 2005, where he was an All-Rookie, was third in Calder voting and eighth in Norris balloting. The Canadian had his first 50-Point year as a sophomore, and in his third year, Phaneuf was a top Norris Trophy contender, finishing second for the award, and posting a career-high 60 Points. Phaneuf, who was an All-Star in 2007, was so again in 2008, but this time he was a First Team All-Star. After another good year with the Flames, Phaneuf was traded to Toronto, but he never captured the magic he did in Calgary.
Pheneuf began to suffer from injury after injury, but he was considered to be a locker room leader, and morphed into a character player, rather than superstar. He went to his third All-Star Game in 2012, and he continued his career with stints in Ottawa and Los Angeles before retiring with 494 Points in 1,048 Games.
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