The 2024-25 NHL season has begun with a bang, although not all the news has been positive for fans and teams alike. Several marquee players find themselves sidelined due to injuries, impacting team strategies and the overall competitive landscape. As teams grapple with these changes, we turn our attention to the significant injury reports and their potential implications throughout the league.
Florida Panthers' Setback: Barkov's Injury
Florida Panthers' captain Aleksander Barkov sustained a lower-body injury while valiantly defending against an empty-net goal in their game against the Ottawa Senators on October 9. Head coach Paul Maurice mentioned, “(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.” Barkov's absence is palpable, as the Panthers will miss his leadership and 200-foot game, which have been pivotal in their strategy.
Unfortunate Timing for Macklin Celebrini
Macklin Celebrini, a promising talent for the San Jose Sharks, found himself on the injured reserve list after an unfortunate mishap during training camp. Scheduled to miss at least the next two games, Celebrini's absence leaves a hole in the Sharks' lineup, delaying his ability to make an early impact this season.
Canucks' Demko and Joshua on the Mend
Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Thatcher Demko is recovering from a knee injury suffered during the high-pressure conditions of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The injury, which occurred during Game 1 against the Nashville Predators, is projected to keep Demko out for three to four weeks, leaving Vancouver with significant adjustments to make in their goaltending lineup. Meanwhile, Canucks forward Dakota Joshua is courageously battling back from testicular cancer, aiming for a late October return.
Colorado Avalanche's Prolonged Struggles
Gabriel Landeskog, the Colorado Avalanche captain, has been absent from the ice since their 2022 Stanley Cup triumph due to a series of knee surgeries, including a cartilage transplant. He missed the entire 2022-23 season and will remain out for the 2023-24 season. Adding to the Avalanche's woes, Artturi Lehkonen is also on injured reserve following shoulder surgery.
Ducks and Devils: A Glimpse at Challenges
In Anaheim, the Ducks await the return of goaltender John Gibson, who is recovering from appendectomy surgery. His expected return in early November will be a welcome relief for the team struggling to gain momentum early in the season. Over at the New Jersey Devils camp, Luke Hughes is rehabbing a shoulder injury with a projected early November return. His teammate, Brett Pesce, is recovering from a fractured fibula, eyeing an October comeback.
Endless List for Edmonton and Evander Kane
Edmonton Oilers' forward Evander Kane finds himself at the long end of the injury list, projected to return by February 2025 after undergoing hip and hernia surgeries. His absence will be a defining challenge for the Oilers as they navigate the season without one of their top offensive threats.
Injury Updates Around the League
The injury woes extend across the league with the Toronto Maple Leafs' Calle Jarnkrok anticipating a late October return from a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins' Bryan Rust continues to work through a lower-body issue. St. Louis Blues' Torey Krug will endure the entire 2025-26 season from the sidelines due to ankle surgery.
Elsewhere, the Utah Hockey Club contends with dual setbacks as Nick Bjugstad faces an upper-body injury with an early November return timeframe, while John Marino aims to return by mid-October. Vegas Golden Knights are hopeful for William Karlsson’s October return despite keeping the specifics of his injury under wraps.
The Los Angeles Kings remain without their stalwart defenseman, Drew Doughty, who is rehabbing from ankle surgery with no clear timetable for his return. Calgary Flames' Yegor Sharangovich is also on the injured reserve list due to a lower-body injury.
With these notable players sidelined, the early months of the 2024-25 NHL season promise to be unpredictable. Teams will need to adapt quickly with makeshift lineups and altered tactics, as they eagerly await the return of their crucial players while keeping an eye on the long road to recovery for some of these stars.