Jersey Poll - All Time #3

[FanIn80]

I voted for Konroyd because we traded him for Tonelli.

[Greybeard]

He was certainly the best player but it would be interesting to know what went on in that locker room when he was here!!

[Mike F]

IMO, Dion became so criticized and remains such a lightning rod not because he ended up being a poor player, but because the decent player he was in the end was such a let down from the perennial Norris trophy candidate we all hoped/expected he would be when he broke in.

Dion's average end to his tenure with Calgary was on par with the other players listed, and his best years were head and shoulders better.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I went Musil ... solid top four on a great Flames team, and a super partner for Al MacInnis at the time.

Is Phaneuf more skilled? Clearly ... but then not in all areas, certainly not between the ears, and undoubtebly not under the chest plate.

Its like Fleury and retiring jerseys for me ... character comes into to it too

Character comes into it with Fleury? You realize where that character came from hey?

[Vulcan]

Dion never was and probably never will be a top pairing defenceman. He just wasn't willing to learn the craft of defending. Brent forcing him on the top pairing didn't help his rep either. Yeah he has talent but so have plenty other defencemen who can't play defence.

I chose Patrick. I think he got a bad rap while playing here.

[Monahan23]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Dion never was and probably never will be a top pairing defenceman. He just wasn't willing to learn the craft of defending. Brent forcing him on the top pairing didn't help his rep either. Yeah he has talent but so have plenty other defencemen who can't play defence.

I chose Patrick. I think he got a bad rap while playing here.

top pairing is top 60 Dmen in the league.I think Phaneuf is top 60

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Character comes into it with Fleury? You realize where that character came from hey?

Get off your soap box ...

the guy was hard on his teammates, numerous stories on that topic, ... he slagged the organization when he left ... let down the Rangers and Blackhawks completely later in his career.

His life was awful, I'll be the first to admit it, he gets a pass for even becoming a hockey player. But the finished result is what you compare and he wasn't the best person, teammate or role model.

So yeah ... character was an issue.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Get off your soap box ...

the guy was hard on his teammates, numerous stories on that topic, ... he slagged the organization when he left ... let down the Rangers and Blackhawks completely later in his career.

His life was awful, I'll be the first to admit it, he gets a pass for even becoming a hockey player. But the finished result is what you compare and he wasn't the best person, teammate or role model.

So yeah ... character was an issue.

Fair enough, but since getting clean his post hockey life has been full of making amends, being a positive role model across Canada, that should be taken in account.

Literally sexually molested at a time and place he couldn't escape it. The fact he played at all in the NHL, let alone starred and isn't dead is an absolute mircale and his atttude and inability to act like a normal, rational person to teammates, coaches and fans is completely forgivable, imo.

A true survivor of a personal hell that would have killed most people. Definitly should be in the Hall.

Sorry for the tone in my first post, btw. Didn't mean for it sound so abrasive, it's just always a tough one for me.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Dion was the more skilled player, but had to go with the sentimental choice in Musil.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

top pairing is top 60 Dmen in the league.I think Phaneuf is top 60

To me a top pairing defenceman is one who can play against the other team's best players. Phaneuf can't effectively do this. Properly used he should be on the second or third pairing with PP time.