Phaneuf has three points, all on the power play, in his last six games.

EDGE Analysis

Over those six contests, Phaneuf has averaged a whopping 3:48 per game with the extra man. The big blueliner now has 11 power-play points on the season. Last season was the first of his career where he failed to hit the double-digit level for power-play points, and he's proven that an aberration.

Phaneuf registered a power-play goal and two PIM during Tuesday's 4-3 victory against the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf is in the midst of his most productive stretch of the season, as the blueliner sits at seven points -- three goals and four helpers -- in December alone. Reaching the scoresheet in nice, but he's also become a consistent threat on the power play, as five of those seven points have come during the man advantage. Tack on the 16 PIM he's amassed in the last 10 games and you have a solid option for your fantasy lineups.

Phaneuf scored a power-play goal and added an even-strength assist during Wednesday's win over San Jose.

EDGE Analysis

The goal and assist snapped a three-game pointless drought and upped Phaneuf's numbers to three goals, eight points and 26 shots over his past 11 games. He's also chipped in 25 blocked shots and 16 PIM during the stretch. The 31-year-old defenseman is having a nice cross-category run, and at this point, Phaneuf should be owned in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Phaneuf registered a goal and an assist -- both on the power play -- during Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Now up to 10 points -- three goals -- for the campaign, Phaneuf has provided more value in the peripheral categories. He has 35 penalty minutes, 64 shots, 57 blocked shots and 46 hits through 26 games. You can live with Phaneuf's lack of offense in leagues where those categories are included.

Phaneuf (undisclosed) took part in morning skate Thursday, TSN's Steve Lloyd reports

EDGE Analysis

According to Lloyd, Phaneuf did not practice Wednesday, which makes his participation in Thursday morning's skate especially encouraging. Provided that he continues to progress throughout the day, Phaneuf should be available for Thursday's matchup with the Bruins.

Phaneuf recorded his third assist of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 shootout win against Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf has now recorded an assist in back-to-back games. The 31-year-old is on pace to put up similar numbers to what he put up last season, when he recorded 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 71 games with Ottawa and Toronto.

Phaneuf got the monkey off his back Tuesday, scoring his first goal of the season in a 2-1 overtime win against Carolina.

EDGE Analysis

After unleashing 20 shots in the first eight games and getting only a single lonely assist as his reward, Phaneuf didn't get discouraged -- he just kept on firing. The goal came in a 4-on-4 situation, with Cody Ceci faking a shot and then feeding Phaneuf on the left wing for a slap shot that was past Cam Ward in a flash. That minus-7 rating may scare a lot of fantasy owners away, but Phaneuf's combination of ice time (with power-play time), PIM, hits and blocks offers the promise of value moving forward -- as long as you don't let your expectations get too high, anyway.

Phaneuf recorded a power-play assist for his first point of the season during Friday's game against Calgary.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf is playing his way off the fantasy radar, as his lack of offense cannot mitigate his atrocious minus-7 rating. Unfortunately, the 31-year-old veteran could struggle to right the ship entirely, too. Phaneuf's fantasy value is likely now dependent on his production in the supporting statistics (PIM, shots, hits and blocked shots) going forward.

Phaneuf notched five shots on goal, a minus-3 rating and nine PIM during Monday's 5-1 loss to Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

It has not been a pretty start for the veteran. Phaneuf has been able to salvage his sub-par outings with consistent time in the box (13 PIM in three games), but owners could do without his minus-5 rating. It may be wise to steer clear of the 31-year-old until he shows drastic improvement on the second pair.

Phaneuf went minus-2 with three shots, two PIM and six hits during Saturday's 4-3 shootout win against Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

Phaneuf has had a rather ugly start to the season with no points in two games. To make matters worse, the veteran blueliner sits at a minus-3 rating. There will be better days ahead for the 31-year-old, but if he remains quiet, don't be afraid to bench him.