A popular t-shirt this summer depicts a pirate skull-and-crossbones, emblazoned with 'The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves'.

Dion Phaneuf must have been wearing one under his Maple Leafs sweater Monday morning as the new captain joined summer workouts for the first time and sent an early wake-up call that this 29th-place crew better be in ship shape long before training camp.

Just ask Nazem Kadri, who was caught with his head down coming across the blue line and had Phaneuf about to clobber him with a stiff shoulder until pulling back at the very last second. Or a couple of Marlie AHLers whom Phaneuf bowled over in the corners. Or the minor league goalies Phaneuf hacked hard at when they didn't completely cover a rebound.