Steve Simmons has reported Phaneuf wants “out of that nut house in Toronto” and after another disappointing season, it figures he won’t be the last player wanting to leave the Leafs.
Several hockey clubs could be interested in Phaneuf, including Detroit who tried to acquire the former first round pick before the trade deadline this past year. The Red Wings need help on the back line and have enough room under the salary cap and the prospects to make a deal happen if they wish.
Toronto played some good hockey at home, but with winning just eight games on the road spelled disaster for the team as they finished with the second worst point total in the Eastern Conference.
While trading away one of their best players isn’t desirable, it could land the franchise some cheaper young talent, allowing the front office to finally escape the mess of past general managers and finally get a grip on their salary cap issues.
The Red Wings pulled the trigger on a trade for Marek Zidlicky, who was more cost effective last year, but he failed to bring much to the team over the second half of the NHL season.
Phaneuf finished the 2014-15 season with 29 points and 108 penalty minutes, both of which would help give Detroit an enforce on the back line and possibly a longer run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs next year.
Also, The Los Angeles Kings have also been long-rumored to be interested, we learn here.
One thing is clear: Phaneuf wants out and Toronto needs more talent. With the fourth overall pick in this summers draft and the prospects they could land with a trade, the Maple Leafs could turn things around and finally become a force in the east.
