The reaction to the Dion Phaneuf trade from two years ago came in reactionary waves.
The first was because, and I’m sorry for being blunt here, who the hell saw that coming? With the Trade Deadline 20 days away, many assumed that the Leafs would be one of the more active teams. Continuing the tear down included getting rid of Phaneuf, but the spontaneous nature of it took social media by storm.
Wave number two was characterized by praising words and metaphorical ‘bow-downs’ to then general manager Lou Lamoriello. The Leafs sent Matt Frattin (kind of, he was still able to stick with the Marlies for the rest of the season), Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert, and Cody Donaghey to join Phaneuf in Ottawa.