The 2024-25 NHL season has begun with a whirlwind of activity and, unfortunately, an ever-growing injury list that affects several teams significantly. As teams jostle for position in the early standings, the Minnesota Wild find themselves coping with particular adversity due to injuries.
Challenges for the Minnesota Wild
For the Wild, keeping a fully healthy roster has been a challenge, particularly among their defensive players. Jared Spurgeon, a key component of their defense, was injured during a game against the Nashville Predators on New Year's Eve, courtesy of a collision with Zachary L'Heureux. Spurgeon's absence is notable, as he is set to be sidelined for an extended period, leaving a gap in experience and leadership on the blue line.
Adding to the Wild's woes, Brock Faber sustained an upper-body injury in a match against the St. Louis Blues on January 7. While the team lists Faber's injury status as day-to-day, the uncertainty of his return adds another layer of complexity to their defense strategy.
Offensively, the Wild are also without Kirill Kaprizov, who has been on injured reserve since December 23. Although Kaprizov has resumed skating, he has not yet been cleared for game action, leaving the team without one of their most dynamic offensive weapons.
Injuries Across the League
The injury bug is not isolated to Minnesota, with several other teams grappling with their own issues. The Boston Bruins are coping without Hampus Lindholm, who is nursing a lower-body injury expected to keep him out for several weeks. Similarly, the Anaheim Ducks are missing Trevor Zegras due to a lower-body injury of his own.
The Colorado Avalanche face an extended absence of one of their leaders, Gabriel Landeskog, due to a knee injury, and they are also dealing with Jonathan Drouin's week-to-week recovery from an upper-body injury. Adding to the league-wide list of injuries is Tyler Seguin from the Dallas Stars, who is in recovery following hip surgery, a procedure that may keep him shelved for up to six months.
Long-Term Absentees
Some players are looking at a much longer road to recovery. Torey Krug of the St. Louis Blues is not projected to return until the 2025-26 season following ankle surgery. Drew Doughty, a fixture in the Los Angeles Kings' lineup, is also facing a prolonged absence, further complicating the Kings' defense plans.
Similarly, the Edmonton Oilers will be without Evander Kane for an extended period, as he is targeting a February 2025 return following hip and hernia surgeries. Another player on the February return list is Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is recovering from knee surgery.
The extensive list of injuries this season is certainly challenging team depth across the league, as coaches and managers scramble to fill the voids left by these injured players. While the teams work to adjust and adapt, the hope of quick and full recoveries for these athletes remains a priority for fans and franchises alike.
As the NHL season progresses, the impact of these injuries will be closely watched, shaping team strategies and potentially influencing their success in the push towards the championship. Whether through rising young stars or veteran resilience, how teams manage these challenges will define much of the story for the 2024-25 season.