LA Kings trade for defenseman Dion Phaneuf

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired veteran defenseman Dion Phaneuf in a four-player trade with the Ottawa Senators.

Phaneuf and forward Nate Thompson go to Los Angeles, which sent forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore to Ottawa. The teams announced the trade Tuesday night after the Senators’ loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, in which Phaneuf was pulled from the bench mid-game.

The deal gives the playoff-contending Kings more depth on the blue line as they assume the final three-plus years of Phaneuf’s contract, though the Senators are retaining 25 percent of his salary and $7 million salary-cap hit. The 32-year-old Phaneuf has 16 points in 52 games this season and 478 in 954 games during his 13-year NHL career.

“Dion brings to our club a great deal of experience and leadership,” Kings general manager Rob Blake said. “He also plays with a physical edge which complements our lineup well.”

Phaneuf was traded again almost exactly two years after the Senators got him from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In trading Phaneuf, Ottawa saves money even as it takes on the 35-year-old Gaborik’s contract, which has about $11 million left on it over the next three years.

“Marian has enjoyed a tremendous career to date and has played an integral role with our team over the years, including a Stanley Cup championship,” Blake said.