Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson bid farewell to two of his teammates who were traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
The Senators traded Nate Thompson and Dion Phaneuf to the Kings for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore. Karlsson had been teammates with Phaneuf for parts of three seasons and Thompson for this season. He seemed emotional as he sent some goodbye tweets about his teammates:
It’s with a tear in my eye I say goodbye for now, to 2 good friends and true pros. I wish you nothing but the best @NateThompson44 and my dearest friend Dion.
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) February 14, 2018
Settle down people the “for now” means I’m not saying goodbye forever. We will still remain friends off the ice even though we’re not playing on the same team.
— Erik Karlsson (@ErikKarlsson65) February 14, 2018
Phaneuf was an alternate captain for Ottawa, so losing him is not easy. But the Senators were clearly looking to dump his contract (he is owed nearly $19 million over the next three seasons). They are reportedly paying 25 percent of Phaneuf’s salary.
Phaneuf and Thompson for Gaborik and Shore. Sens retain 25% of Phaneuf salary.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 14, 2018
They will take on Gaborik’s contract instead and hope he can be healthy enough to give them some production.
At 19-27-9 on the season, Ottawa looks like it will be doing some rebuilding.
