The National Hockey League has returned for the 2024-25 season, but as the action unfolds on the ice, it's the injuries off the ice that are casting significant shadows across team rosters and strategies. Injury woes seem to be an unavoidable theme as teams are grappling with uncertain timelines and shifting lineups.
Toronto Maple Leafs Struggle with Key Absence
The Toronto Maple Leafs are notably impacted as star center Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve. Matthews is dealing with an upper-body injury that has kept him sidelined retroactively since November 3. This has caused him to miss important matchups, including a recent clash against the Montreal Canadiens. However, optimism brews within the team's ranks, as Matthews is expected to make his anticipated return against the Ottawa Senators on an upcoming Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have seen the return of Calle Jarnkrok, who was nursing a lower-body injury and was projected for a late-October comeback. His reappearance adds some depth as they navigate the challenges brought on by Matthews' absence.
Injury Woes for New York Islanders
Turning to the East Coast, the New York Islanders face their own set of challenges. Forward Mathew Barzal and defenseman Adam Pelech are sidelined, each facing a four-to-six-week recovery period due to upper-body injuries. While their absence dents the lineup, the injuries sustained by Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov, assessed as minor, leave room for day-to-day assessments. Unfortunately, Anthony Duclair is not as lucky with a lower-body injury expected to keep him sidelined until December.
Vancouver Canucks' Resilience Amidst Setbacks
The Vancouver Canucks have seen their share of injury-related setbacks as well. Goalie Thatcher Demko has been hampered by a knee injury since the Stanley Cup Playoffs earlier this year. Fortunately, the Canucks remain hopeful for Demko's return come early November. Meanwhile, Dakota Joshua's inspirational recovery from testicular cancer presents a narrative of resilience as the team anticipates his imminent return to the ice.
Colorado Avalanche Grapple with Injuries
The Colorado Avalanche find themselves in a precarious position with several players out of commission. Gabriel Landeskog remains on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Add to this the injury to Ross Colton, who has suffered a broken foot with a substantial recovery period of six to eight weeks. Miles Wood, too, is expected to rest for seven to ten days following an upper-body injury. These absences challenge the Avalanche to reconfigure their strategy as they attempt to maintain their competitiveness.
Prolonged Absences Across Other Teams
Elsewhere in the NHL, other notable players face extended stays on the sidelines. Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner of the Columbus Blue Jackets are dealing with upper-body injuries that come with uncertain return dates. In Edmonton, the Oilers are looking at a longer wait for Evander Kane's return, as he convalesces from hip and hernia surgeries with an anticipated comeback earmarked for February 2025.
The Los Angeles Kings are sweating on the return of Drew Doughty, who is benched without a clear timeline following an ankle injury. The St. Louis Blues will be deprived of Torey Krug's services this season as he recovers from ankle surgery, with a return project for the 2025-26 season. In another blow to the Blues, Robert Thomas faces an indefinite layoff due to a fractured ankle.
On top of the list of injuries, the Utah Hockey Club is feeling the pinch too. John Marino is out with an upper-body injury, and Sean Durzi is recovering from a shoulder injury, forecasting a cumbersome four-to-six-month absence.
As the season unfolds, teams are forced to rally around support systems, work their rosters, and look for potential call-ups to fill the void left by injured players. While injuries are a harsh reality of professional sports, they also present opportunities for lesser-known players to take the spotlight and showcase their abilities on the grand stage of the NHL.