In a deal that saw 9 players changing teams, the Ottawa Senators have acquired defenseman Dion Phaneuf from the toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. In this megat deal, the Ottawa Senators acquired Phaneuf, forwards Matt Frattin, casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and defenceman Cody Donaghey. In exchange the Toronto maple leafs get defenceman Jared Cowen, and forwards colin Greening, Milan Michalek and Tobias Lindberg. A second round draft pick in 2017 was also added in the deal for the Torontyo Maple Leafs. A surprise condition in this deal is that no salary will be held on any players for both teams. For Toronto, this represents a huge salary dump, as part of their rebuild.
The 30 years-old veteran who’s been with the Leafs since 2010 cumulated only three goals and 21 assists in 51 games with Toronto this season. The Toronto captain since 2011, was traded back in 2010 from the Calgary Flames in a previous blockbuster deal involving seven players. At the time, brian Burke was the general manager for the Toronto. Phaneuf’s cap hit is of $7M and is valid through the 2020-2021 season.
When interviewed about the trade, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello, stated this: “This was a transaction that certainly wasn’t for today.”
Phaneuf was drafted by the Calgary Flames ninth overall at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Phaneuf has scored 120 goals and assisted on 320 for 424 points in 801 career games with the Flames and the Leafs.
When interviewed earlier today, Ottawa Senators general manager, Bryan Murray declared: “We don’t expect him to come in here to be a saviour. We expect him to come here and just be the hockey player he is. He’s a real good person. He competes, he wants to win. He’s been in a tough environment. He’s been judged very tough in the environment he’s in.”
In Michalek, the Leafs acquires a veteran forward who can contribute offensively. In 2015-2016, Michalek scored six goals and assisted on four others in 32 games played. Originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks, Michalek was picked 6th overall at the NHL Entry Draft. For Jared Cowen, he has been rumored all season long and for the Ottawa Senators, they were looking for a team to take him. Cowen who is 25, played in 37 games with the Senators registering only four assists. He has a plus -7 rating.
According to Ian Mendes from TSN, the deal got hammered out between Lamoriello and Murray duing the weekend following a lengthy conversation last Thursday. lamoriello as in town in ottawa on saturday and after a 90 minute closed door meeting, the oldest general managers managed to work out an agreement. The only obstacle was to convince Milan michalek to leift his no-trade clause and that was the remaining block that was pushed out today when the trade was anoounced.
Phaneuf will be able to play, where he is best fit at the no.3 defensive depth for the Senators. he will report to the Senators for Thursday’s game in Detroit against the Red Wings.
