Multiple Twitter reports indicate that the Ottawa Senators have agreed to trade defenceman Dion Phaneuf to the Los Angeles Kings. Phaneuf has been pulled from the Senators game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Kings are currently playing the Carolina Hurricanes.
It’s believed Dion Phaneuf has been pulled from OTT-PIT game to facilitate a trade to LAK.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/963598617532510208
Phaneuf and Thompson for Gaborik and Shore. Sens retain 25% of Phaneuf salary.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 14, 2018
Dion Phaneuf Traded to the Los Angeles Kings
Tuesday night, the Senators trade Dion Phaneuf and centre Nate Thompson to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for winger Marian Gaborik and centre Nick Shore.
Phaneuf’s Career
Dion Phaneuf was drafted ninth overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 NHL Draft. He began his NHL career at 20 years old in 2005-06 with the Flames. In his rookie season, he had 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points, proving himself to be an offensive defenceman. With those 20 goals, Phaneuf broke the Flames’ record for most goals by a rookie defencemen. Phaneuf had his career high in points with the Flames with 60 points in 82 games. Phaneuf helped the Flames make the playoffs four times. However, they lost in the Conference Quarter-Finals all four times. Phaneuf had 228 points in 378 games over five seasons with the Flames before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009-10.
Phaneuf had 196 points in 423 games with the Maple Leafs over seven seasons. In Toronto, Phaneuf had his longest stint with an NHL team from 2009-10 to 2015-16. While in Toronto, Phaneuf and the Maple Leafs only reached the playoffs once. He was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2015-16.
Last season, Phaneuf helped the Senators reach the Eastern Conference Finals. This season, 33-year-old Phaneuf is an alternate captain for the Ottawa Senators. So far this season, Phaneuf has three goals and 16 points in 53 games with the Senators. His high in points with the Senators is 30 points, only half of his career high in points.
Overall, Phaneuf has 478 points in 955 games over 13 career NHL seasons. Phaneuf is a former NHL All-Star. All that seems to be missing for Phaneuf is a Stanley Cup.
Phaneuf, 32, has this season and three more left on his contract. It carries an AAV or Cap hit of $7 million per season.
Thompson, 33, has four goals and 11 points in 43 games for the Senators this season. He has this season and one more on his contract. He has an AAV or cap hit of $1.65 million per season.
The Return
Gaborik, 35, has been plagued by injuries this year. He has just seven goals and 14 points in 29 games. Gaborik has a 50.6 percent Corsi, and a relative Corsi of -0.6 this year. He has this season, and three more remaining on his contract. It carries a cap hit of $4.875 million per season.
Dowd, 25, has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points in 48 games this season. He has also 12 penalty minutes. His possession numbers are 52.0 percent Corsi, and a relative Corsi of +2.1. His contract carries a cap hit of $925,000 this season. He is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.
What This Means For the Future
Phaneuf will be a veteran stabilizing presence for his new club. He can still provide second pairing minutes, as well as help out on the power play. His contract is expensive as it carries a $7 million per year cap hit through the end of the 2020-21 season.
Meanwhile, the Senators go into a full-on re-tool, while they continue to clear salary cap space and financial commitments.
Main Photo:
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