Hockey

Kings buy out Dion Phaneuf

The Los Angeles Kings have bought out the final two years of defenceman Dion Phaneuf's contract.

Defenceman had 2 years left on his 7-year, $49 million contract

Dion Phaneuf of the Los Angeles Kings awaits a face-off during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on March 09, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings have bought out the final two years of defenceman Dion Phaneuf's contract.

The Kings made the move Saturday.
The 34-year-old veteran spent 93 games with the Kings, who acquired him in February 2018. Phaneuf scored 16 points and racked up 68 penalty minutes, but the former Maple Leafs captain occasionally sat as a healthy scratch last season for the first time in his career.

Phaneuf had two years left on a seven-year, $49 million US contract through the 2020-21 season. He agreed to the deal in Toronto, but has been traded twice since.

The Kings are rebuilding after finishing eighth in the Pacific Division last season with their worst point total since 2008.