Rumor: Dion Phaneuf is done in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Kings have seen enough of veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf for one lifetime it seems. 

On Saturday night the TSN insiders assembled for the latest episode of Insider Trading and almost as an inside it was National Hockey League insider Pierre LeBrun who commented on what the future might hold for Phaneuf. Perhaps unsurprisingly LeBrun would reveal that Phaneuf's time with the Los Angeles Kings has come to an end, adding that the Kings have already held talks in an effort to move Phaneuf and his contract off of their books as quickly as possible. 

To be honest it seems extremely unlikely that the Kings will be able to find a trading partner for Phaneuf's contract unless they include an additional asset in order to compel a team to take on the $5.25 million cap hit his represents. Phaneuf's actual cap hit is actually $7 million per season but due to a previous trade that included salary retention it is considerably lower, but I do not believe that even his lowered cap hit would be enough to warrant bringing him in on any roster at his current price. That being said though it seems that even barring a trade Dion Phaneuf will not be playing for the Los Angeles Kings come the start of the 2019 - 2020 National Hockey League regular season.

"The other team across town in L.A. Dion Phaneuf also 2 more years on his deal, also 34 years old, the Kings are talking to teams about him," said LeBrun on Saturday. "If they can't find a trading partner he is another possibility for a buyout, as the Kings like the Ducks are getting younger."

Phaneuf is coming off what is almost inarguably the worst season of his professional career and at 34 years of age with an additional 2 years left on his current deal, it seems likely that a buyout will be the only realistic option for the Kings. Phaneuf recorded just a single goal in the 67 games he played last season, adding 5 assists for a total of 6 points and finished the season with a dreadful plus minus rating of -21. It is hard to imagine anyone taking a shot on him after that season at his current number, however should he hit free agency as the result of a buyout he may be able to find a home at a significantly reduced price tag.