David Clarkson, Phil Kessel and now Dion Phaneuf.

The latest Leaf to be traded, along with his hefty contract, the captain.

Phaneuf’s going to the Senators as part of a nine-player swap.

General Manager Lou Lamoriello says while he’ll be missed the trade had to be made.

”The length of Dion’s contract and the amount of cap space that is there … this gives us the opportunity to do things.”

Phaneuf has five-years left on contract worth $7-million a season.

Also going to Ottawa are minor leaguers Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert and Cody Donaghey.

Leafs get defenceman Jared Cowen, forwards Milan Michalek, Colin Greening and Tobias Lindberg along with a second-round draft pick in 2017.

Neither team will be on the hook for salary.

All the new Leafs contracts expire at the end of next season.

Phaneuf was acquired by the Leafs from Calgary in a seven-player trade in 2010 and then named the team’s 18th captain.

Lamoriello says the Leafs will go with alternative captains the rest of this season.  

Senators visit the Leafs Saturday March 5.