from Chuck Gormley of CSNWashington,

Let’s assume that Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan is earnest in his pursuit of a left-handed defenseman who can play alongside the right-handed shooting Mike Green on the Caps’ blue line....

At 29, Phaneuf is in the prime of his NHL career but comes with a killer contract -- seven years, $49 million beginning next season. Phaneuf was beaten up by the Toronto media last season and is in desperate need of a change of scenery. His no-movement clause kicks in on July 1, so the clock is ticking for the Leafs to move him now.

Phaneuf is big (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), productive (eight goals, 23 assists) and can eat up big minutes (23:33), but unless the Leafs agree to pay a large portion of his salary, Phaneuf could be a financial albatross to any NHL suitor.

The Caps also would need to consider the price it would take to get Phaneuf. The Hurricanes reportedly are dangling Eric Staal, while the Oilers reportedly would part with Sam Gagner or Nail Yakupov. Would the Caps be willing to move their 13th pick overall and Marcus Johansson and/or Dmitry Orlov in exchange for Phaneuf?

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