As the 2024-25 NHL season kicks off, a wave of injuries is sweeping across the league, challenging team rosters and strategic plays. Among the significant setbacks is the injury to Toronto Maple Leafs' star Auston Matthews, who has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury retroactive to November 3. The absence of Matthews was felt as he missed a crucial game against the Montreal Canadiens. However, fans are hopeful as he becomes eligible to return in the upcoming game against the Ottawa Senators.
The Maple Leafs are not the only team grappling with injuries. Calle Jarnkrok, another prominent player from the team, was anticipated to return from a lower-body injury by late October, which may provide a much-needed boost to the roster. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are short-handed with key players Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech sidelined by upper-body injuries, both facing a recovery period of four to six weeks. The Islanders are further hampered by minor day-to-day injuries to defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov, while Anthony Duclair remains out with a lower-body injury, aiming for a December return.
The Vancouver Canucks have their own challenges, as Thatcher Demko works to recover from a knee injury that has lingered since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The goaltender is expected to make his return in early November, but the Canucks are also monitoring the progress of Dakota Joshua, who is bravely recovering from testicular cancer and is on track for an imminent return.
In Carolina, the Hurricanes' lineup is impacted by Frederik Andersen's lower-body injury, keeping him out until mid-November. The Colorado Avalanche face a similar predicament, with Gabriel Landeskog's knee injury persisting and Ross Colton’s six-to-eight-week recovery for a broken foot. Additionally, the Avalanche’s Miles Wood is dealing with an upper-body injury, which suggests he will be absent for seven to ten days.
The Columbus Blue Jackets remain uncertain about the timeframe for Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner’s return, as both players deal with upper-body injuries. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers have marked February 2025 as a target for Evander Kane's comeback following surgeries on his hip and hernia.
Issues extend to the Los Angeles Kings, with Drew Doughty's ankle injury placing him on the bench without a specific return schedule. The St. Louis Blues confront their own long-term concerns as Torey Krug, following ankle surgery, is expected to miss the remainder of the season, eyeing a return in 2025-26. Blues' forward Robert Thomas is also out indefinitely with a fractured ankle, a significant blow to their offensive lineup.
The Utah Hockey Club is not exempt from the injury bug, as John Marino contends with an upper-body injury, casting doubt on when he will return to action. Additionally, Sean Durzi's shoulder injury necessitates a lengthy four-to-six-month recovery, impacting the team's overall performance profoundly.
These injury setbacks highlight the physical demands and unpredictable nature of professional hockey, as teams across the NHL strive to adapt their strategies and make up for the absence of key players. As the season progresses, fans and teams alike eagerly await the recovery and return of these athletes to their respective lineups, hopeful that they will regain full strength and form.