NHL Season 2024-25: Injury Concerns Cast Shadows Over Promising Starts
The highly anticipated NHL 2024-25 season has taken off, albeit with significant injury challenges for many teams. As the ice heats up, franchises are grappling with unexpected shifts in their rosters, with some of the league's most notable players facing extended time off the rink.
Toronto Maple Leafs Feel the Pinch
Central to Toronto Maple Leafs' current plight is the absence of star player Auston Matthews. Sidelined due to an upper-body injury retroactive to November 3, Matthews was missed during their matchup against rivals the Montreal Canadiens. The Maple Leafs and their fans hope for his speedy recovery, with Matthews eligible to return against the Ottawa Senators. In a bid to fortify their ranks, the Leafs are also eyeing the comeback of Calle Jarnkrok, who is expected to return from a lower-body injury sustained in late October.
Islanders' Injury Worries
The New York Islanders are similarly besieged by injuries. Forward Mathew Barzal and defenseman Adam Pelech have been dealt a blow with upper-body injuries requiring a four-to-six-week recovery timeline. Meanwhile, the Islanders' defensive lineup remains hopeful with Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov nursing minor, day-to-day injuries. Yet, losing Anthony Duclair until December due to a lower-body injury adds to the mounting concerns on the roster's resilience.
West Coast Woes
Over on the west coast, the Vancouver Canucks are feeling the absence of Thatcher Demko, their pivotal goaltender. Demko's knee injury has lingered since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but there's cautious optimism for his return in early November. The team is also closely monitoring Dakota Joshua, who is courageously battling back from testicular cancer, with his imminent return expected to be a boost for the Canucks' lineup.
Injury Clouds Hover Over Hurricanes and Avalanche
The Carolina Hurricanes must navigate missing Frederik Andersen until at least mid-November due to a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche are dealing with multiple setbacks. Gabriel Landeskog remains on injured reserve with a knee injury; a concern mirrored by Ross Colton's broken foot, which projects an absence between six to eight weeks. Miles Wood offers a slight reprieve with his upper-body injury suggesting only a seven to ten day recovery.
Uncertain Paths for Blue Jackets, Oilers, and Kings
Out east, the Columbus Blue Jackets face unpredictable timelines for Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner, both sidelined by upper-body injuries. In Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers anticipate Evander Kane's prolonged recovery, with his return set for February 2025 after serious hip and hernia surgeries. The Los Angeles Kings, too, are playing a waiting game with Drew Doughty as he heals from an ankle injury with an indefinite timeline.
Blues and Utah Hockey Club Endure Tough Breaks
The situation grows more challenging for the St. Louis Blues, who are bracing for an unsettling season without Torey Krug following ankle surgery, ruling him out until the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, Robert Thomas is out indefinitely with a fractured ankle, further straining the Blues' tactical options.
In an unexpected entry into the NHL landscape, the Utah Hockey Club is already facing adversity. John Marino's upper-body injury places a question mark over his return, while Sean Durzi confronts a lengthy four-to-six-month recovery following a shoulder injury. Despite some optimism around these timelines, the true impact on the team's performance remains to be seen.
As NHL teams weave through this complex web of injuries, the resilience and depth of each squad become paramount. The quest for recovery and revitalization fuels the league's narrative this season, with fans eagerly awaiting the return of their stars to the ice. With time and healing, these players hope to lead their teams to triumph in the face of adversity.