> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Phil Kessel has something to say about the media's treatment of Dion Phaneuf - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/phil-kessel-has-something-to-say-maple-leafs-leadership/ - Published: 2015-03-03T18:05:45.000Z - Updated: 2015-03-03T18:05:45.000Z - Description: After the Leafs morning skate today, Phil had some words - Author: Adam Selvig - Tags: #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15 > Phil! > > — Phil Kessel (@PKessel81) [July 21, 2013](https://twitter.com/PKessel81/status/358989555384336386?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Phil Kessel had some words to the Media today after the morning skate in Florida, and he came out voluntarily to share them, which says something about his mood. > "Had a Bad Day" by Daniel Powter is playing in the [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) locker room after today's morning skate > > — Jameson C. Olive (@JamesonCoop) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/JamesonCoop/status/572803144666632192?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Dion Phaneuf is typically loud, vocal and energetic at Leaf skates. Pretty quiet, almost withdrawn a bit this morning. > > — Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/jonasTSN1050/status/572801569629970432?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > [Phil Kessel](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54905/phil-kessel?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com): "I think the way the media treats [Dion Phaneuf](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54651/dion-phaneuf?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) in this city is embarrassing." [#TMLtalk](https://twitter.com/hashtag/TMLtalk?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > > — Jameson C. Olive (@JamesonCoop) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/JamesonCoop/status/572804074933915650?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Kessel on Dion: "He's our best D and you guys act like he doesn't try out there. It's embarrassing. Is it our fault he's losing? No" > > — Michael Traikos (@Michael\_Traikos) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/Michael%5FTraikos/status/572805758095503361?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > More Kessel on [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Phaneuf: "I'm just tired of it. He's owed some apologies by some people. It's disgusting." > > — Michael Traikos (@Michael\_Traikos) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/Michael%5FTraikos/status/572806473694121985?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > Jake Gardiner said he was surprised by Kessel's comments re: Phaneuf, but that his views were shared by rest of [#Leafs](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Leafs?src=hash&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com). > > — Michael Traikos (@Michael\_Traikos) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/Michael%5FTraikos/status/572806476089065472?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) > More Kessel on Phaneuf: "Is it his fault we're losing? No. Did he build this team? No. > > — Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) [March 3, 2015](https://twitter.com/jonasTSN1050/status/572806318056054785?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Steve Simmons recently[ ](http://www.torontosun.com/2015/02/28/leafs-believe-babcock-will-be-their-man?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)[](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/steve-simmons-has-kessel-derangement-disorder/)[said that Phil Kessel is dragging down other players with his laziness](http://www.torontosun.com/2015/02/28/leafs-believe-babcock-will-be-their-man?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), and Toronto Media has a habit of [attacking star players over bullshit.](http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2014/01/17/maple%5Fleafs%5Fdion%5Fphaneufs%5Foffice%5Fheadwear%5Fraises%5Fcap%5Fissues.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Searching Phaeuf and Leadership you get articles [going back years](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/shoalts-lack-of-leadership-and-hockey-smarts-signal-need-for-new-leaf-captain/article17751260/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [questioning if there's enough](http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/01/22/toronto-maple-leafs-captain-dion-phaneuf-fights-in-back-to-back-games-as-questions-arise-about-his-leadership/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) of it in him and the room. [Phil also had a run in earlier this season with Dave Feschuk](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/why-phil-kessel-called-dave-feschuk-an-idiot/), which could have been an indicator something bigger was coming. One playoff appearance in his tenure as a Leaf is probably bugging him, but being the focus along with Phanuef, of the media on a failing team instead of the ones in charge taking a bigger chunk of the heat (Dave Nonis especially) is probably wearing him down faster. ##### UPDATED: CBS SPORTS HAS SHARED VIDEO OF THE EXCHANGE