The start of the 2024-25 NHL season has been marred by a slew of injuries to some of the league's top talents. As teams adjust to these hardships, fans and analysts alike watch how each organization handles these critical absences.
Connor McDavid Sidelines the Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers suffered a significant blow with the untimely injury of superstar Connor McDavid. McDavid, arguably the most electrifying player in the NHL, sustained an ankle injury during a tense matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 28. While the timelines estimate his return in two to three weeks, McDavid could miss up to six pivotal games. For an Oilers team vying for early dominance in their conference, missing their captain's unparalleled speed and playmaking abilities could set a challenging course early in their campaign.
Other Key Injuries Stir Concerns
Adding to the early injury woes, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks has been placed on injured reserve following a lower-body injury after playing just a single game. Sharks management and fans hope to see his return sometime in November, eager to watch the young player's contributions unfold.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks must contend with the absence of their dependable goaltender Thatcher Demko. An injury to Demko's knee has sidelined him for a projected three to four weeks, leaving the team to rely on their depth in net to withstand this early setback.
Moreover, Colorado Avalanche's Gabriel Landeskog continues to remain out of action. Having not played since the 2022 postseason, Landeskog's recovery process from arthroscopic knee surgery and cartilage transplant surgery has been long and arduous. The Avalanche undoubtedly feel the void left by their captain's leadership and on-ice prowess.
A Surge of Surgeries and Hurt Hopes
A series of surgeries have affected numerous players across the league. Anaheim Ducks' John Gibson had to undergo an appendectomy, while the Buffalo Sabres' Zach Benson deals with a challenging lower-body injury. Additionally, Artturi Lehkonen from the Colorado Avalanche is recovering from shoulder surgery, casting shadows over the team's offensive depth.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are without Erik Gudbranson due to an upper-body injury, and the Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane is on the mend following hip and hernia surgeries. Across the border in Los Angeles, Drew Doughty is on his path to recovery after undergoing ankle surgery.
More Players Join the Injury List
In New York, Anthony Duclair is wrestling with a lower-body injury complicating the Islanders' forward lines. Torey Krug and Robert Thomas of St. Louis have both been sidelined—Krug due to ankle surgery and Thomas because of a fractured ankle, thinning out the Blues' defensive and offensive core.
Vince Dunn from the Seattle Kraken continues to manage a mid-body injury, while Calle Jarnkrok of the Toronto Maple Leafs contends with his own lower-body issues, affecting team dynamics in these crucial early days of the season.
John Marino of the Utah Hockey Club is dealing with an upper-body injury, touching even organizations beyond the main NHL scene. Meanwhile, Dakota Joshua's story takes a different turn; the Vancouver Canucks player is inspiring fans with his battle and recovery from testicular cancer.
A Season Demanding Resilience
The extensive list of injured players entering the 2024-25 NHL season sets a challenging tone for teams and players alike. The reverberations of these injuries not only test team depth and strategy but also the resilience and adaptability of every organization. For fans, it becomes a waiting game to see how their favorite skaters navigate their path back to the ice. As the season progresses, these early injuries will undoubtedly play significant roles—altering trajectories, reshaping outcomes, and weaving narratives around comeback stories that every hockey enthusiast will closely watch and cheer for.