The offseason has started and the Los Angeles Kings have used that time to buy out the last two years of Dion Phaneuf’s contract and hire Trent Yawney as the teams’ second assistant coach.
Phaneuf was drafted 9th overall in the 1st round of the 2003 NHL draft by the Calgary Flames. According to NHL.com, in 2018-19 the 6-4, 222 pounder played 67 games, recording 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points and a plus/minus of -21. His totals in a Kings sweater include 93 games played, with 4 goals, 12 assists for 16 points and a plus/minus of -28. His career includes stints in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Los Angeles. Phaneuf never really seemed to fit into the Kings systems and was often scratched instead of on the ice.
The move is good and bad for the Kings. Good because this opens up a roster spot for a younger, hungrier defenseman to step up and get some minutes. However, according to sportsnet.ca, the following is cap hits per year the next 4 years: $2.9m in 2019-20, $5.4m in 2020-21, $1.4m in 2021-22 and $1.4m in 2022-23. The reason for 4 years is when you buy out a player the amount of years is doubled what is left on his contract, therefore the amount is much more.
NHL.com also reported that the Kings have hired Trent Yawney to serve as the second head coach, along with Marco Sturm, for the upcoming season. Yawney comes from the Edmonton Oilers, where he worked with new head coach Todd McLellan. Yawney worked mainly with defenseman and brings years of experience with him to Los Angeles. He has 15 years of coaching experience and almost 600 NHL games to his credit.
What do you think of the Kings moves this offseason so far?
Featured Image:tsn.ca
