Phaneuf officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Selected in the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft, Phaneuf spent 14 seasons in the NHL with Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Los Angeles. He hasn't suited up since the 2018-19 season, when he scored six points in 67 appearances with the Kings. The 6-foot-4 blueliner scored 494 points while averaging 23:38 of ice time across 1,048 career games. Phaneuf also racked up over 2,000 hits and was the Norris Trophy runner-up during the 2007-08 campaign.

The Kings announced Saturday that they have bought out the remainder of Phaneuf's contract.

EDGE Analysis

The Kings, per Cap Friendly, will dole out payments to Phaneuf for the next four seasons while taking the majority of the cap hit over the next two years. The veteran blueliner posted a horrid minus-21 rating and just six points over 67 contests this season, so it's not difficult to see why the Kings made this decision with two years remaining on Phaneuf's deal.

Phaneuf recorded an assist in Monday's 3-0 win over the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Facing the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2003, Phaneuf helped set up Jonny Brodzinski's insurance tally in the third period. Phaneuf had gone 11 games without a point, and only has a goal and five helpers in 63 appearances this season, recently serving as a scratch in three straight games. Phaneuf had been a solid 25-to-30 point producer over the last five years, but his offense has fallen off as has his ice time, which is at a career-low 14:55 per game.

Phaneuf recorded an assist, 13 shots on net and 12 blocked shots in 10 games during January.

EDGE Analysis

It must be frustrating for Kings' fans to watch their team get pegged with Phaneuf's $5.25 million cap hit for the rest of this season and two years after that. The veteran blueliner has just two points in 43 games and averages just 14:37 TOI. He contributes modestly on defense with 73 hits and 58 blocked shots, although that developed into a measly 46.9 Corsi For percentage and minus-17 rating.

Phaneuf (upper body) has been activated off injured reserve, but he won't play Saturday against Vegas, Jon Rosen of Fox Sports West reports.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf has evidently received medical clearance ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Golden Knights, but the Kings have elected to give him a few extra days of rest before slotting him back into their lineup. The veteran blueliner will almost certainly return to action Monday against Colorado.

Phaneuf (upper body) took part in contact drills during Friday's practice, Jon Rosen of Fox Sports West reports.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf isn't expected to play Saturday against Vegas, so it's safe to assume he'll miss at least one more game due to his upper-body injury, but he could be ready to return as soon as Monday against the Avalanche. Another update on his status should surface prior to that contest.

Phaneuf (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf is week-to-week with his injury. The Kings shifted the veteran defenseman to injured reserve in order to free up a spot on the roster for forward Illya Kovalchuk, who had been on the IR himself with an ankle injury but is ready to rock against the Sharks on Saturday.

Phaneuf (upper body) has been labeled week-to-week by coach Willie Desjardins, Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf's absence wasn't expected to result in anything more than a day-to-day absence, but it appears the issue has turned out to be worse than initially thought. The veteran defenseman is having his worst season to date by a long shot in 2018-19, notching just one assist through 32 games while seeing a career-low 14:58 of ice time on average. News of his placement on injured reserve may not be too far behind.

Phaneuf (upper body) is bound for LA to be reexamined for an injury that is feared to be worse than a day-to-day issue, Lisa Dillman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran defenseman prematurely exited Tuesday's game against the Sharks, and if a 15-game point drought wasn't enough for fantasy owners to move on from Phaneuf, the added fear that he could be out for an extended period should tilt the scale on the matter.

Phaneuf exited Tuesday's game versus the Sabres with an undisclosed injury and didn't return for the third period, Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Phaneuf has just one assist in 31 games, his injury could cripple the Kings' depth moving forward. Top blueliner Drew Doughty left this contest with an upper-body injury as well, and the Kings will finish the game with just four defensemen. The Kings will likely be forced to make a recall from AHL Manitoba before Thursday's road game versus the Blue Jackets.