NHL Injury Report: A Season Marred by Sideline Struggles
The return of the NHL for the 2024-25 season has been accompanied by a wave of injuries impacting key players across the league, leaving teams to recalibrate their strategies amidst the challenges posed by unexpected absences.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealt a significant blow with the sidelining of their star forward, Auston Matthews. Matthews, grappling with an upper-body injury, was placed on injured reserve retroactive to November 3. His absence was felt keenly when he missed the game against the Montreal Canadiens. The silver lining for the Leafs is that Matthews is eligible to make a return in the upcoming match against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, a much-anticipated boost for the team.
The injury list for the Maple Leafs also includes Calle Jarnkrok, who has been struggling with a lower-body injury. Fortunately, Jarnkrok was anticipated to make his return in late October, alleviating some of the pressure on the Leafs' roster.
Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are managing their own set of challenges with key players Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech facing four-to-six-week recovery periods due to upper-body injuries. Both players are crucial to the Islanders’ plans, and their absence will necessitate a strategic adjustment from the coaching staff. Adding to their predicament, defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov are dealing with day-to-day injuries, which, fortunately, are considered minor. However, Anthony Duclair is expected to remain sidelined until December due to a lower-body injury.
Over in Vancouver, the Canucks are navigating the season without their dependable goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has been suffering from a knee injury since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team is cautiously optimistic about Demko’s return in early November. A positive development for the Canucks is the recovery of Dakota Joshua, who is set for an imminent return after recovering from testicular cancer.
In Carolina, the Hurricanes have been missing the services of Frederik Andersen, their standout goaltender, who is out with a lower-body injury until mid-November. This has undoubtedly put pressure on the Hurricanes’ defensive unit as they maneuver through the early segment of the season.
The Colorado Avalanche are facing a series of setbacks with Gabriel Landeskog on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Furthermore, Ross Colton is expected to be out for six-to-eight weeks with a broken foot, while Miles Wood is suffering an upper-body injury that will sideline him for seven to ten days. The mounting injuries pose a formidable challenge to the Avalanche, who are striving to maintain their competitive edge.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are contending with uncertainties surrounding the returns of Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner, both dealing with upper-body injuries. The vague timelines add an element of unpredictability to the Blue Jackets’ season outlook.
Extended Absences and Recoveries Across the League
Among the more long-term injuries, the Edmonton Oilers are bracing for an extended period without Evander Kane. Kane, who underwent hip and hernia surgeries, is not expected back before February 2025. The Oilers will be hoping other players can step up in his absence to keep their season aspirations alive.
In Los Angeles, the Kings’ defensive stalwart Drew Doughty is currently benched due to an ankle injury, with no definitive timeline for his return. This places the Kings in a precarious position as they attempt to navigate the competitive Western Conference without one of their key defensemen.
The St. Louis Blues are facing significant losses with Torey Krug out following ankle surgery, which will keep him off the ice until the 2025-26 season. Additionally, Robert Thomas is out indefinitely as he deals with the recovery from a fractured ankle. These significant absences will challenge the Blues to adapt and reconfigure their on-ice strategy.
Adding to the league-wide injury concerns, the Utah Hockey Club is also coping with key players' injuries. John Marino is out with an upper-body injury, and the timeline for his return remains uncertain. Moreover, Sean Durzi faces a lengthy four-to-six-month recovery from a shoulder injury, putting additional strain on Utah's defensive capabilities.
These injury setbacks underscore the relentless physical demands of the NHL and the constant need for teams to adapt on the fly. As the season unfolds, how teams manage these challenges could very well determine their standings in the league.