Dion Phaneuf Injury: Updates on Leafs Star's Hand and Return

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf has been dealing with a hand injury since Jan. 26. The team placed him on injured reserve, but he expects to play vs. the Flyers on Feb. 26.

Continue for updates. 

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Phaneuf Expectes to Play vs. Flyers

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Stephen Whyno of The Canadian Press reported that Phaneuf expects to play Thursday vs. the Flyers. 

"Dion Phaneuf is taking part in full practice today. Has been out for awhile now with a hand injury," reported David Alter of MapleLeafs.com on Feb. 23.

Ian Shantz of the Toronto Sun provided more details on Phaneuf's progress, as he took part in the morning skate and did some puck-handling, which he deemed as "a step in the right direction."

Shantz, who reaffirmed there is still no timetable for a return, shared the following comments from Phaneuf: "Coming back about a week to 10 days ago, I had a bit of a setback and we decided to stay away from pucks for about 10 days and let the healing really take effect. I feel a lot better. I feel like I'm a lot closer. Now, we see how it reacts."

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Phaneuf Remains Out With Hand Injury

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Maple Leafs head coach Peter Horachek told reporters that Phaneuf's hand "wasn't quite right," after further tests performed when the had wasn't healing after the defenseman's return to the squad, according to TSN's Jonas Siegel. 

On Feb. 9, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reported there is no timeline for Phaneuf's return. 

TSN's Darren Dreger revealed there was a "slight setback in Phaneuf's recovery" and that he is likely to be out another week."

Alter previously confirmed the team placed Phaneuf on injured reserve:

It had been hoped that Phaneuf would return to the lineup soon as Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reported Feb. 3 that Phaneuf returned to practice. The defender told Siegel that he'd hoped to return over the weekend.

Phaneuf also confirmed, via Siegel, that he was injured in a fight, and wasn't carrying an ailment before that.

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Phaneuf Suffers Upper Body Injury 

Monday, Jan. 26

As the Toronto Maple Leafs attempt to get into the playoff discussion, they'll have to do so without Dion Phaneuf for the immediate future.    

The team announced on Monday that the 29-year-old defenseman will be out for the immediate future with an upper-body injury:

Although Phaneuf has appeared in all 48 of Toronto's games, his numbers aren't overly impressive this year. Sportsnet also cast doubt on his defensive contributions:

Still, Phaneuf is a proven commodity in the league, and the Leafs are 10 points back of the Boston Bruins to get into the postseason.