Canucks: Take a chance on Phaneuf?

Phaneuf has consistently had his point totals dwindle down after a strong start to his career with the Calgary Flames. Since joining the Kings, he has a mere 16 points in 93 games played. As unflattering as those point totals may be, Phaneuf also mustered a -21 for the season. Keep in mind though, that this was for the bottom feeder Kings.

When playing with the Ottawa Senators in 2016/17, his only full season with the Senators, he finished with 10 goals and 33 points in 81 games played. All in all a respectable season for the veteran especially when you consider that the Senators have also been abysmal.

Overall, when looking at his offensive output, Phaneuf had an uncharacteristically down year last season. While he has never dipped below 0.30 points per game in his career, he fell flat with a disastrous 0.09 points per game in his final season in LA.

Many could figure that a highly motivated Phaneuf could bounce back and regain some of his typical form. Especially if he was put in a position where he could blossom. By comparison, we can look at the brief stint by Luke Schenn in Vancouver. Though it would be a bit exaggerated to see that Schenn had a resurgence in Vancouver, it is true that he saved his career there. While only netting two assists in his 18 games as a Canuck, it was his physicality that endeared himself to the team, coaching staff and fanbase. Many fans wanted Schenn to be re-signed due to his style of play and his low cost.

Phaneuf, quite frankly, carries a lot of that same style in his game. He does have more to offer though. A former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs throughout some difficult years for the franchise, Phaneuf carried himself very respectably and was a real leader for the team. When the team needed to move on from him and his contract, he acted in the team’s best interest and waived his No Trade Clause to go to the Ottawa Senators. Phaneuf is a physical, offensive defenceman that brings a wealth of veteran leadership and will come at a bargain price as he looks to rejuvenate his career.

For the Canucks, I feel it is a no lose scenario to bring Phaneuf in for at minimum a Professional Try Out. He could buy Olli Juolevi a bit of time so that he can get back up to speed following his lengthy injury before having to immediately make the leap to the NHL or be expected to midseason. He would also provide more physicality to a team that has so clearly set a goal to be identified for such. In the case of injuries, which happens frequently for the Canucks, there’s a proven NHL defenceman that can then step up and play more minutes if Alex Edler or Chris Tanev are injured.

Phaneuf is worthy of a chance. He’s not the end-all-be-all for any franchise anymore but he’s certainly a serviceable defenceman that brings a lot for very little. The Canucks could capitalize on this buy-low player, as they did with Schenn, and sign Phaneuf to a one year, veteran’s minimum contract and lace it with a bonus structure like the one that the Dallas Stars gave to Corey Perry.

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