The NHL's 2024-25 season is off to a dramatic start, as several teams grapple with significant injuries to key players. The early stages of the season have already tested the resilience and depth of multiple franchises, with some stars sidelined and others navigating recovery timelines.
Aleksander Barkov's Timely Return?
The Florida Panthers are cautiously optimistic about the return of their star forward, Aleksander Barkov, after he sustained a lower-body injury on October 9 during a match against the Ottawa Senators. The injury incident, occurring as Barkov defended an empty-net goal, has left fans anxious about his return. Paul Maurice, the Panthers' head coach, provided some clarity on the situation, noting, “(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.”
Concerns in San Jose and Vancouver
The San Jose Sharks are missing Macklin Celebrini, who was placed on the injured reserve list following a training camp injury. Celebrini is expected to be out for at least the next two games, a timeline that adds to the Sharks' uncertainty at the season's onset.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Canucks are dealing with a significant setback of their own. Thatcher Demko, their star goaltender, is recovering from a knee injury sustained during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators. Demko's absence, which could last three to four weeks, comes at a critical time, as the team looks to build momentum early in the season.
Colorado's Long-standing Troubles
The Colorado Avalanche face continued absenteeism of key players. Gabriel Landeskog, who hasn't stepped on the ice since the Avalanche's 2022 Stanley Cup victory due to knee surgeries, will miss the entire 2023-24 season following a cartilage transplant. His prolonged absence is a significant blow to the Avalanche's roster. Adding to their woes, Artturi Lehkonen is also out of action following shoulder surgery.
Timelines Across the League
In Anaheim, goaltender John Gibson is on the mend after appendectomy surgery, with an anticipated return in early November. Calgary's Yegor Sharangovich and Edmonton's Evander Kane are also sidelined—the latter not expected back until February 2025 following hip and hernia surgeries.
Los Angeles Kings' defender Drew Doughty is recovering from ankle surgery, with no precise timeline for his return, adding to his team's defensive concerns. Elsewhere, New Jersey Devils' Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce are dealing with shoulder and fibula injuries, respectively, with both targeting returns around November 2024.
Additional Setbacks
The Pittsburgh Penguins are hopeful for Bryan Rust overcoming a lower-body injury soon, while the St. Louis Blues cope with the loss of Torey Krug for the entire 2025-26 season following ankle surgery. Toronto Maple Leafs’ Calle Jarnkrok eyes a late October return after dealing with a lower-body issue.
Utah Hockey Club's Nick Bjugstad and John Marino are handling their injury setbacks, with Bjugstad expected back in early November and Marino by mid-October. Dakota Joshua’s courageous recovery from testicular cancer is on track for a late October return with the Vancouver Canucks.
The Vegas Golden Knights also have concerns with William Karlsson, whose unspecified injury keeps him under observation for an October return.
These injury narratives underscore the relentless challenge of maintaining peak performance in the NHL, where physical endurance is tested along with strategic depth. As teams adapt and recalibrate their lineups to fill voids left by these absent stars, the early season hurdles provide unexpected opportunities for emerging talents to shine. Yet, for many franchises, the focus remains resolutely on swift recoveries and the hopeful return of their pivotal players. As the NHL marches on, the league will watch closely how these injuries impact early-season standings and playoff aspirations.