Karlsson, Senators say farewell to Phaneuf after trade to Kings
Ottawa players send well-wishes to defenseman who was dealt to Los Angeles
ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom
Dion Phaneuf was popular in the Ottawa Senators locker room, which made it all the more difficult them to say goodbye after his trade to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
Senators captain Erik Karlsson and some of his teammates teammates bid farewell to Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson on Twitter after they were traded to the Kings for Marian Gaborik and Nate Shore.
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.
Phaneuf was pulled during the second period of the Senators 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Karlsson and Phaneuf had developed a close friendship since Phaneuf was acquired by the Senators from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 9, 2016. "It's an unfortunate part of the business," Karlsson told the Ottawa Sun. "He's a good friend of mine and a good friend of everybody on this team."
Gonna be hard to say goodbye to 2 awesome teammates. Dion took me under his wing from the moment he came to Ottawa and always looked out for me. Something I’ll always remember and appreciate. Good luck boys, you’ll be missed!
Matt Duchene, acquired by Ottawa from the Colorado Avalanche in a three-team trade on Nov. 5, had only been Phaneuf's teammate for slightly more than three months. But Duchene was also among the Senators players to wish Phaneuf and Thompson luck in Los Angeles.
Never gets easier saying goodbye to teammates, especially great ones like @NateThompson44 and Dion... Can’t thank you two enough for welcoming me in this year the way you did. Thank you, and best of luck boys!
