Phaneuf ready to make debut for Kings

CRANBERRY, Pa. -- Defenseman Dion Phaneuf practiced with the Los Angeles Kings for the first time Wednesday.
The Kings acquired Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson
in a trade
with the Ottawa Senators for forwards Marian Gaborik and Nicholas Shore on Tuesday. Phaneuf was removed from the Senators' 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday at 10:45 of the second period.

Phaneuf will face the Penguins for a second straight game when the Kings play at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SN1, SNP, ATTSN-PT, FS-W, NHL.TV).
RELATED: [Phaneuf traded to Kings by Senators for Gaborik, Shore]
"It was a whirlwind yesterday," Phaneuf said after skating at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. "Today it was back to work. I was very fortunate to be in the same city that the team was coming to. It worked out really well. I'm glad I got to get into practice today. Usually when these things happen you have to travel and you meet the team at a later time and you don't really get right into it.
"I'm fortunate to be able to go through a good practice here, get acquainted with the guys. The guys have been great, right from last night. The texts that I got, welcoming me to the team, really make you feel welcome as a player."

Phaneuf had 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 53 games with the Senators this season.
The Kings ran line rushes during their hourlong practice but did not show set defense pairs. Phaneuf spent most drills with defenseman Alec Martinez.
Kings coach John Stevens said he is unsure where Phaneuf will be used against the Penguins.
"It gives you a veteran guy on the back end that can play both sides and play in all situations," Stevens said. "Gives you a lot of options. I'm not sure exactly how it all lays out just yet, but for sure, gives us a lot more depth on the back end."
No matter where Phaneuf plays, the 32-year-old said he does not plan to change his style.
"Where I fit in, as a role, that's up to the coaching staff," Phaneuf said. "But for me, as a player, I want to bring and do what I do. I've played a physical style of game for my entire career and that's something that I'll have to bring here. You're playing in the [Western Conference]. You're playing against some big hockey clubs. For me, I'm going to come and bring that edge to my game, bring the edge with my game, and try to contribute in any way that I can."
Stevens said he expects Thompson to make his Kings debut Thursday. Los Angeles was told Thompson, who has missed four games with a lower-body injury, was set to return for Ottawa on Thursday, Stevens said.
The Kings planned to check Thompson when he arrived in Pittsburgh later Wednesday.
Defenseman Drew Doughty said he expects Phaneuf and Thompson to become locker-room leaders.
"I think [Phaneuf] is going to really help our team, and so is Thompson too," Doughty said. "I think that's something that we really needed in our lineup, was some more veteran presence."

With the trade, Doughty said he thought general manager Rob Blake put the Kings in a better position to compete. They have 66 points, one behind the third-place Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division and three behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.
"I guess that shows us that they're not trying to rebuild or something like that," Doughty said. "They're trying to go for it. I've been through the rebuild before. I don't really ever want to go through that again."
Phaneuf said he is willing to do whatever is asked.
"The biggest thing is, you have a job to do," he said. "Me, with my experiences with going through different trades, the bottom line is you come here and you do what you're told. You do your job and you do what's asked of you. I was fortunate to be able to practice with the team today, and I think that, right from Day One here, I learned a few different things."
Phaneuf said he's excited to play a role for a potential playoff contender. The Senators have 47 points, the second fewest in the Eastern Conference, and are 16 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the second wild card into the playoffs from the East.
"This is what you play for," Phaneuf said. "You play to be in these situations. You play to be a part of teams like this. I'm just very fortunate to be a part of the Los Angeles Kings."