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Leafs’ Phaneuf struggling to provide offensive punch

Washington Capitals v Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 31: of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in a game against the Washington Capitals on January 31, 2013 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Claus Andersen

When it comes to putting up points, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf has performed reasonably well throughout his now eight-year National Hockey League career.

Except for this, the 2013 lockout shortened season.

Once a 60-point producer with the Calgary Flames, the team that originally drafted him, Phaneuf has one assist through the first 11 games of this season with Toronto.

“I know I’m expected to put up numbers. It’s part of the style that I play,” Phaneuf told the Toronto Star Friday.

“(The points will) come. I’ve gone through stretches before. And I feel good personally the way that I’m playing. I definitely would like to produce. That’s part of my job. But it will come.”

The Leafs will take on the Montreal Canadiens on the road at the Bell Centre Saturday. It was there, back on Jan. 19, that the 27-year-old blue liner recorded that only assist.

His struggles to contribute on the score sheet seem to have people questioning Phaneuf’s captaincy. The Leafs, under the guidance of former general manager Brian Burke at that time, appointed Phaneuf to the position back in June of 2010.

On Thursday, Rob MacNeil, a blogger for Fan Fuel, which appears on Sportsnet.ca, posted a poll question asking: “Who should be the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs?”