September is finally upon us and with it, the prospect of a new NHL season.
Next week, the Sens Rookies will play their annual round robin tournament. Then later this month, the Senators will take the ice for their first preseason game against Ron Hainsey and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With the start of training camp now only a couple weeks away, players will slowly start to arrive back in Ottawa to prepare for the start of a new year.
Somewhat surprisingly, one of those players will be Dion Phaneuf after what was an awkward couple months for the veteran defenceman.
In the lead up to the Expansion Draft, Phaneuf was asked to waive his no movement clause. It was a move that would allow the Senators to protect Marc Methot and keep their top four intact. Phaneuf declined the team request, worried about the possibility of landing in Vegas, and it forced Dorion to explore trade options with all his defenceman, Phaneuf included.
But even after Methot was selected, rumours suggested the Senators were still actively looking to trade Phaneuf. It became so public that it almost seemed inevitable that Phaneuf was on his way out.
At one point, it seemed like they may have found a taker but it was apparently a team on Phaneuf’s no trade list. They also talked deal with the Los Angeles Kings on Draft weekend, with Marian Gaborik believed to be the player coming back to Ottawa.
Those rumours also faded and there hasn’t been much talk since then. Although as recently as August 17th, Bruce Garrioch suggested the Senators were still open to moving him. Clearly their options are clearly limited at this stage.
It’s not surprising that the Senators might be interested in moving Phaneuf and the remaining four years on his deal but it was a little strange that they still wanted to let him go even after Methot was gone.
Phaneuf was one of Ottawa best defenceman over the course of last season putting up 30 points through 81 games.
Overpaid sure but he actually produced at a pretty good rate during the regular season (ranked 52nd in points among all defenceman and 2nd on the Senators) and was an important piece in their lengthy playoff run.
While both Dorion and Phaneuf suggested there are no hard feelings and it was all “just business”, it was unfortunate that the whole process played out so publicly.
Because as it stands right now, it sure seems like the Senators will be counting on Phaneuf’s presence again this year. Even if off-season speculation strongly suggested otherwise.
