Kings activate Kovalchuk, place Phaneuf on injured reserve

kovalchuk

Kings forward Ilya Kovalchuk (17). (Jeff Swinger/AP)

The Los Angeles Kings have activated forward Ilya Kovalchuk from the injured reserve, the team announced on Saturday.

To make room for Kovalchuk’s return, defenceman Dion Phaneuf was placed on the injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 11. The 35-year-old has been recovering from an ankle bursectomy procedure since Dec. 2.

In 25 games for the Kings this season, Kovalchuk has five goals and 14 points in 25 games after signing an $18.75-million deal this past off-season.

Phaneuf has been out of the lineup the past three games with what the team is calling an upper-body injury. The 33-year-old has one assist to show for his 32 games.

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