The 2024-25 NHL season has kicked off, but a wave of injuries is impacting key players across the league. Teams are grappling with the absence of some of their top talents, which is reshaping the dynamics early in the season.
Key Players on the Sidelines
In Florida, the Panthers are navigating the initial games without their captain, Aleksander Barkov. Barkov sustained a lower-body injury while defending an empty-net goal in a match against the Ottawa Senators on October 9. Coach Paul Maurice provided a timeline for Barkov’s recovery, stating, “(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.”
For the San Jose Sharks, Macklin Celebrini finds himself on the injured reserve list after an unfortunate setback during training camp. Celebrini’s absence could extend through at least the next couple of games, leaving the Sharks to adjust their lineup accordingly.
Vancouver Canucks' goalie Thatcher Demko is also missing from the lineup due to a knee injury he sustained in Game 1 against the Nashville Predators during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Demko's projected recovery time is estimated to be three-to-four weeks, leaving the Canucks to rely on their backup goaltending options for the time being.
Long-term Recovery and Rehabilitation
Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche remains a prominent name on the injury list, having been absent since the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup victory. Following a long battle with knee issues, Landeskog missed the entire 2022-23 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Unfortunately, further complications have sidelined him for the 2023-24 season as well, after a cartilage transplant operation.
His teammate, Artturi Lehkonen, is also rehabbing post-shoulder surgery and is currently on injured reserve. Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks' John Gibson is recovering from appendectomy surgery, with expectations for his return pinned on early November.
Significant Setbacks and Returns
The Calgary Flames are dealing with the absence of Yegor Sharangovich, who is battling a lower-body injury. The Edmonton Oilers' forward Evander Kane, who underwent hip and hernia surgeries, is predicted to rejoin the team by February 2025. In Los Angeles, the Kings are anxiously monitoring Drew Doughty’s rehab from ankle surgery, although a definitive return date remains uncertain.
In New Jersey, the Devils' Luke Hughes is nursing a shoulder injury with prospects of an early November comeback, while his teammate Brett Pesce is bouncing back from a fractured fibula, targeting a return later in October 2024. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Bryan Rust is working through a lower-body injury, contributing to the team's challenges in the early season.
Around the League Updates
Torey Krug of the St. Louis Blues faces a prolonged absence, as an ankle surgery will keep him off the ice for the entirety of the 2025-26 season. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs are anticipating Calle Jarnkrok’s return in late October 2024 after recovering from a lower-body injury.
Shifting to Utah, Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club is contending with an upper-body injury, with a potential return marked for early November 2024. His teammate, John Marino, is on track for a mid-October return, which could provide much-needed depth for the team.
In Vancouver, Dakota Joshua is courageously returning from testicular cancer, aiming for a late October comeback. The Vegas Golden Knights are similarly hoping for William Karlsson’s reappearance on the ice in October 2024, although details about his specific injury remain undisclosed.
As the season progresses, these injuries will test the resilience and depth of many teams. The hope remains that these players will successfully recover and return to contribute significantly to their respective lineups, helping shape the narrative of yet another thrilling NHL season.