The NHL 2024-25 season has hit the ice with intensity, but not without its fair share of trials as several star players grapple with significant injuries. From seasoned veterans to emerging talents, these setbacks will invariably shape the landscape of the league in coming weeks. Here’s an overview of the current injury concerns impacting squads across the league.
Florida Panthers Face Barkov Setback
A pivotal piece of the Florida Panthers, Aleksander Barkov, suffered a lower-body injury on October 9 during an encounter with the Ottawa Senators. The incident occurred in the waning moments of the game as Barkov attempted to defend against an empty-net goal. His anticipated absence of two to three weeks leaves the team in a precarious position as they navigate early-season challenges without their captain. Head coach Paul Maurice shed some light on Barkov's estimated return, predicting the star center might rejoin the team during their early November engagements in the NHL Global Series in Finland. “(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,” Maurice shared.
Challenges for the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks
Macklin Celebrini, a promising talent for the San Jose Sharks, finds himself sidelined early in the season due to an injury sustained during training camp. This setback lands him on the injured reserve list, with his absence expected to stretch over the next two games. Meanwhile, Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks continues to recuperate from a knee injury that dates back to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators. Demko’s road to recovery is projected to span three to four more weeks, leaving the Canucks to strategize without their prominent goaltender.
Extended Absences for Avalanche Stars
In Colorado, the Avalanche face prolonged absences from key players. Gabriel Landeskog, a crucial member of their 2022 Stanley Cup-winning squad, remains out following a challenging recovery from knee surgery. After missing the entire 2022-23 season, Landeskog will not take to the ice for the 2023-24 campaign either, as he undergoes recovery from cartilage transplant surgery. Artturi Lehkonen also resides on the injured reserve list post-shoulder surgery, compounding the Avalanche's injury woes.
Restating and Recoveries Across the League
John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is on the mend from an appendectomy, with an eye on an early November return. In Calgary, Yegor Sharangovich deals with a lower-body injury, while Edmonton’s Evander Kane faces a lengthy road to recovery after hip and hernia surgeries, projecting a return not before February 2025. The Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty remains without a specific timeline for his return as he rehabilitates from ankle surgery.
Elsewhere, New Jersey Devils' Luke Hughes is managing a shoulder injury, with positive forecasts suggesting a return by early November. Fellow Devil, Brett Pesce, suffered a fractured fibula, but expectations for his return linger in October 2024. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust is combatting a lower-body injury, adding to their depth concerns.
Torey Krug of the St. Louis Blues is set to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season due to ankle surgery, a severe blow to their defensive lineup. In Toronto, Calle Jarnkrok aims for a comeback by late October 2024 following his own lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club deals with multiple injuries as Nick Bjugstad faces delays from an upper-body injury, with an early November return anticipated, while John Marino looks to make a quicker return by mid-October.
Furthermore, Vancouver Canucks’ Dakota Joshua is courageously battling back from testicular cancer, with hopes of rejoining the team later in October. Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights await William Karlsson's return in October 2024 despite the ambiguity surrounding his undisclosed injury.
As the NHL season progresses, injuries are proving a formidable adversary, stirring adjustments and testing team depths across the league. Whether through minor setbacks or extensive recoveries, each absence ripples through the team fabric, imposing strategic shifts and opportunities for others to step into the spotlight. Hockey’s unpredictable and grueling nature ensures that overcoming these injuries will be as pivotal as any victory on the ice.