The Kings have bought out the final two years of defenseman Dion Phaneuf's contract, the team announced Saturday.
At one time a premier defenseman in the NHL, Phaneuf, 34, appeared in 67 games for Los Angeles this past season and set personal lows in plus-minus (minus-21) and time on ice (15:00). He was acquired by the Kings from the Senators late in the 2017-18 season. He had four goals and 12 assists in 93 games with the Kings. He has 137 goals and 357 assists over his 14-year NHL career.
BOUGHT OUT: The Los Angeles Kings have bought out veteran defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 15, 2019
He had two years left on his seven-year, $49 million contract originally signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014. https://t.co/CTnr4z8dGo #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/pBhWDMQcok
The buyout will save the Kings $2.8 million and will open up $4 million of cap space next year, according to nbcsports.com.
#LAKings have bought out the final 2 years of Dion Phaneuf's contract.
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 15, 2019
As a result of the Retained Salary trade between the Kings & Sens on Feb 14, 2018 involving Phaneuf, the cap hit resulting from his buyout will be split between LA (75%) and OTT (25%)https://t.co/u0YNYgG1Qy pic.twitter.com/golsF8VigN
Phaneuf was a first-round pick of the Flames (ninth overall) in the 2003 NHL Draft. He is a three-time All-Star and finished second in the voting for the Norris Trophy for the league's top defenseman in 2007-08, his third season in the league.