Sens' Dorion would 'like to keep' Phaneuf
The Ottawa Senators are receiving calls about the availability of defenseman Dion Phaneuf, but if it's up to general manager Pierre Dorion, No. 2 will remain in the Canadian capital.
"We'd like to keep Dion," Dorion said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "But you have to look at all options."
It was reported Friday that Ottawa was trying to move the 32-year-old, and TSN's Darren Dreger added Saturday that there's interest from outside of Phaneuf's list of teams he's willing to accept a trade to.
Ottawa did ask Phaneuf to waive his no-move clause for the expansion draft, but the defender refused, as was his right. However, Dorion said that despite that, the team and defender are on good terms.
Dorion: We're not happy losing Marc Methot but it's not the end of the world. We didn't lose Erik Karlsson. We lost Erik Karlsson's partner.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 24, 2017
That's a smart way to look at it.
Dorion was very adamant about understanding why Phaneuf wouldn't waive. He said it's a good thing a player wants to stay in Ottawa.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 24, 2017
That, too.
Phaneuf's under contract through 2020-21 at a cap hit of $7 million per season.