Injury Update: Key Players Sideline as NHL's 2024-25 Season Unfolds
The NHL's 2024-25 season is off to an eventful start, with injuries playing a significant role in shaping team dynamics and strategies across the league. As teams adjust to evolving rosters, several noteworthy players are sidelined, affecting both current performance and future outlooks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling the crunch as star player Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. The setback, which dates back to November 3, forced Matthews to miss pivotal games, including a clash against the Montreal Canadiens. However, there is optimism surrounding his return, as he is eligible to play against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Calle Jarnkrok, also from the Maple Leafs, anticipates returning soon from his late October absence due to a lower-body injury, potentially helping to stabilize the team's lineup.
For the New York Islanders, the injury front is equally challenging. Forward Mathew Barzal and defenseman Adam Pelech face a recovery window of four to six weeks because of upper-body injuries. The roster continues to navigate adversity with minor day-to-day injuries plaguing defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov, while forward Anthony Duclair is expected to be sidelined until December with a lower-body injury.
The Vancouver Canucks also find themselves grappling with critical injuries. Thatcher Demko, who has been battling a knee injury since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, remains a key absence, though there is hope he will return in early November. In parallel, Dakota Joshua is nearing recovery from testicular cancer, with an imminent return anticipated, marking an inspiring moment for him and the team.
Carolina Hurricanes' goaltender Frederik Andersen will be out of action until mid-November due to a lower-body injury, adding to the list of goalies dealing with critical injuries at the season's start. In Colorado, the Avalanche are managing without Gabriel Landeskog, still on injured reserve with a persistent knee issue. Forward Ross Colton faces a six to eight-week recovery for a broken foot, while Miles Wood's upper-body injury suggests a shorter absence of seven to ten days.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are also not without challenges. Erik Gudbranson and forward Boone Jenner have uncertain timelines for return as they recover from upper-body injuries. The Edmonton Oilers are preparing for a prolonged absence of Evander Kane, targeting his return in February 2025 post-surgery for hip and hernia issues.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings' aspirations are tempered by the loss of Drew Doughty to an ankle injury, with no definitive return date yet set. The St. Louis Blues face an extended season without Torey Krug, following ankle surgery that projects a return only in 2025-26, and Robert Thomas, who remains out indefinitely with a fractured ankle.
In Utah, the Hockey Club's John Marino is dealing with an upper-body injury, while Sean Durzi faces a daunting four to six-month recovery from a shoulder injury.
As the NHL season unfolds, these injuries serve as stark reminders of the physical demands and unpredictability inherent to the sport. Teams continue to adapt to these challenges, rallying around returning players and leveraging depth across their rosters in an effort to remain competitive. How teams navigate these trying times will play a crucial role in shaping their future success in a season defined by resilience and adaptation.