Lamoriello: Phaneuf trade 'not a transaction for today'

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sticking to the plan and looking ahead.

That was the impetus behind sending captain Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators in a nine-player trade, as explained by general manager Lou Lamoriello on Tuesday.

"This was a transaction that wasn't for today," he admitted. "Dion will certainly leave a hole in our lineup."

It's well known the Maple Leafs are trending younger and have an eye on the future, meaning Phaneuf's contract length (five more seasons) and cap hit ($7 million) would have been prohibitive not only in terms of signing free agents but also retaining the club's core of young talent.

The ability to make the deal without retaining salary was also very important to the Maple Leafs.

In short, while it was difficult to part with such a key player on the current roster, it was a deal that had to be made in the best interest of the club moving forward.

Along those lines, Lamoriello said Tobias Lindberg - who will report to the first-place Toronto Marlies - was a prospect they targeted in the trade because of his combination of size and skill.

In terms of what's next in advance of the trade deadline, Lamoriello said they'll look at any move that will make the team better, once again referencing the general yet fluid plan.

Lamoriello and the rest of the front office will now turn their attention to the Feb. 29 trade deadline, with decisions to make on nine unrestricted free agents and several key restricted free agents also looking for new deals.