The 2024-25 NHL season has commenced amidst a significant wave of injuries impacting teams across the league. From potential stars emerging from training camps to seasoned veterans, many key players find themselves on the sidelines as fans eagerly anticipate their return. Here's a closer look at the injury landscape that's unfolding as teams battle for early-season dominance.
Eastern Conference Concerns
In Florida, the Panthers are experiencing the consequences of a significant blow with Aleksander Barkov's lower-body injury. Sustained on October 9 against the Ottawa Senators while defending against an empty-net goal, Barkov’s absence is keenly felt. Head coach Paul Maurice has provided a glimmer of hope, stating, “(Paul Maurice) estimated that Barkov would be sidelined two to three weeks, with a chance to return to the ice by the team's early November NHL Global Series match in Finland if not sooner.” The Panthers, already strategizing for this vital international showcase, anxiously await the return of their captain.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Devils are navigating early-season turbulence with Luke Hughes dealing with a shoulder injury that projects an early November return. His teammate Brett Pesce, suffering a fractured fibula, is also set to come back in October 2024. This twin setback, coupled with other injuries, poses a significant challenge for the Devils as they aim to solidify their defensive strategies.
Elsewhere in the conference, Yegor Sharangovich and Bryan Rust of the Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively, both face time on the injured reserve list due to lower-body injuries. Their anticipated comebacks could alter the competitive dynamics within the Eastern Conference.
Western Conference Woes
The Western Conference is no stranger to its share of challenges either. Macklin Celebrini, a promising figure for the San Jose Sharks, finds his initial momentum halted due to an injury sustained during training camp, placing him on the injured reserve list. His absence is projected to last at least two games, an opportunity for the Sharks to adjust their game plans accordingly.
The reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, continue to grapple with long-term injury ramifications. Gabriel Landeskog's ongoing recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery and his subsequent miss of the 2023-24 season following a cartilage transplant surgery casts a shadow over the team. Simultaneously, Artturi Lehkonen’s recovery from shoulder surgery adds to the Avalanche’s woes, demanding strategic recalibrations.
Vancouver's Thatcher Demko is on the road to recovery from a knee injury sustained during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 1 against Nashville. His return, estimated to be in three to four weeks, is crucial for the Canucks as they push for continuity in their goaltending lineup. Dakota Joshua's fight with testicular cancer offers a human element to the injury stories, with his determination targeting a late October return that inspires teammates and fans alike.
The Anaheim Ducks anticipate John Gibson’s early November return following appendectomy surgery. His comeback is critical to bolstering the Ducks’ hopes of improving on their previous seasons. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers await Evander Kane's expected February 2025 return after dual hip and hernia surgeries, a timeline that demands extensive roster management and adaptability.
Other Notable Absences
In Toronto, Calle Jarnkrok is poised for an October return after dealing with a lower-body injury, and William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights is set to return later in October despite an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club faces challenges with Nick Bjugstad's upper-body injury and John Marino’s mid-October timeline back to action.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Kings closely monitor Drew Doughty's rehabilitation from ankle surgery, with his absence undefined, emphasizing the unpredictability of recovery timelines. The St. Louis Blues confront the harsh reality of Torey Krug missing the entire 2025-26 season due to his own ankle surgery.
As the NHL season continues to develop, these injuries test team depth and resilience across the league. With key players on the verge of returning, fans and franchises alike are left pondering the potential impact each player will have upon their return. The NHL remains a dynamic and unpredictable arena, where each team's challenge is to adapt and overcome in pursuit of hockey glory.