The NHL's 2024-25 season has kicked off, bringing with it a fresh wave of excitement—and a series of significant injuries impacting team lineups and strategies across the league. As the season unfolds, several key players find themselves on injured reserve, offering their teams a challenging roadmap through the early stages of competition.
Turbulence Strikes Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs face an uphill battle as star center Auston Matthews has been sidelined with an upper-body injury. This setback was retroactive to November 3, causing Matthews to miss a pivotal matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite this hurdle, hope remains for the Leafs, as Matthews is set to return to the ice for their game against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Calle Jarnkrok, another vital player for the Leafs, is projected to make his way back from a lower-body injury incurred in late October, adding depth and resilience to the roster.
New York Islanders: A Series of Setbacks
The New York Islanders are no strangers to injury woes, either. Both Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech are grappling with upper-body injuries that demand a four-to-six-week recovery period. Moreover, defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov are dealing with minor, day-to-day injuries, though these are not expected to lead to prolonged absences. The news for Anthony Duclair, however, is more concerning, as he contends with a lower-body issue that will likely keep him off the ice until December.
Vancouver Canucks Battling Adversity
The Vancouver Canucks are enduring a difficult start to their season with goaltender Thatcher Demko's lingering knee injury, which has been a concern since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fans and teammates alike are hopeful for Demko's return in early November. Additionally, Dakota Joshua, showing commendable resilience in his battle against testicular cancer, is anticipated to make his return to the team soon, marking a considerable triumph both personally and professionally.
Injury Reports Across the League
The Carolina Hurricanes are without the services of goaltender Frederik Andersen due to a lower-body injury, sidelining him until mid-November. The Colorado Avalanche also have their share of challenges, with Gabriel Landeskog still on injured reserve due to a knee injury. The team faces further complications as Ross Colton nurses a broken foot, which requires six-to-eight weeks of recovery, while Miles Wood’s upper-body injury suggests a seven to ten days absence.
As for the Columbus Blue Jackets, uncertainties loom over the return dates of Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner, both struggling with upper-body injuries. The Edmonton Oilers anticipate Evander Kane’s return in February 2025 following hip and hernia surgeries, an absence that will significantly impact their lineup.
Over on the West Coast, the Los Angeles Kings are navigating the loss of Drew Doughty, who's benched with an ankle injury, leaving no clear timeline for his return. In St. Louis, the Blues are facing a longer-term dilemma with Torey Krug's ankle surgery, which is expected to delay his return until the 2025-26 season. Furthermore, the Blues are contending with Robert Thomas’s fractured ankle, rendering him out indefinitely.
Emerging Challenges for Expansion Teams
The Utah Hockey Club, joining the list of teams wrestling with injuries, is without John Marino due to an upper-body injury, which carries an uncertain return date. Similarly, Sean Durzi is set to face a significant four-to-six-month absence because of a shoulder injury.
In an NHL season already bubbling with potential, the injury reports present a dramatic undercurrent that may redefine team strategies and affect standings as the season progresses. As teams adapt to these setbacks, fans and franchises alike remain hopeful for swift recoveries and triumphant returns, keenly aware that in the world of professional hockey, resilience is as critical as skill.