Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf was one of the names who was discussed in several rumors but, ultimately, didn’t get moved before yesterday’s NHL trade deadline.

Like many other Leafs players, the 29-year old defenseman has received quite a fair share of criticism from the media for the team’s struggles this season, as well as in year’s past. It appears that one of his teammates, Phil Kessel – often made out to be a scapegoat himself – has had enough of it.

Kessel sounded off on the media on Tuesday afternoon, calling their treatment of Phaneuf “disgusting” and “embarrassing.” It was a fiery rant from the Leafs’ winger, who is no stranger to controversial standoffs with the media north of the border.