As a goaltender who has played his entire NHL career in the west, Jean-Sebastien Giguere qualifies as an expert witness on the qualities of defenceman in that conference.
And after playing against Dion Phaneuf and for several years alongside Chris Pronger, the new No. 1 goaltender with the Maple Leafs sees some similarities in the two physical blueliners.
"I see a lot -- shot-wise, size-wise," Giguere said Monday after his first Leafs practice at the MasterCard Centre. "They're both pretty outspoken, too.
"Dion has a lot of potential he hasn't tapped into yet. I think he can achieve the kind of career (Pronger has.)"
Giguere knows another thing about his new teammate: Opponents best be aware when Phaneuf is on the ice.
"He's a guy you don't like to play against," the goaltender said. "Every time we play against him, we mention: 'Keep your head up in the neutral zone.' "
