As the 2024-25 NHL season gets into full swing, teams are grappling with a series of high-stakes injuries affecting their rosters. The Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, and several other teams find themselves navigating through challenges presented by significant player absences.
Aleksander Barkov Sidelined: Florida's Struggles
The Florida Panthers face an early season hurdle as captain Aleksander Barkov nurses a lower-body injury. Sustained in a game against the Ottawa Senators on October 9, Barkov's injury occurred while attempting to defend an empty-net goal. Panthers head coach Paul Maurice provided an optimistic timeline for Barkov's return, estimating a two to three-week recovery period. He speculates a possible comeback by early November, hinting at Barkov potentially joining the team for the NHL Global Series in Finland. As Maurice stated, “(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.”
Challenges Mount for San Jose and Vancouver
Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks find themselves without Macklin Celebrini, who landed on the injured reserve list following an injury sustained during training camp. Celebrini, a promising talent for the Sharks, is expected to miss at least the next two games, extending the team's struggles early in the season.
The Vancouver Canucks have their own injury woes, with goaltender Thatcher Demko nursing a knee injury dating back to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Demko was injured in Game 1 against the Nashville Predators and faces a recovery time of three to four weeks. This absence puts added pressure on the Canucks' defense and backup goaltending to fill the gap left by Demko, an integral component of their lineup.
Colorado Avalanche's Ongoing Injury List
For the Colorado Avalanche, the injury list continues to grow. Forward Gabriel Landeskog remains absent following arthroscopic knee surgery, having missed the entire 2022-23 season. A more recent cartilage transplant surgery will also keep him sidelined for the entirety of the 2023-24 season. Adding to the Avalanche's concerns is Artturi Lehkonen’s post-shoulder surgery recovery, leaving them without two crucial forwards.
Injury Concerns Across the League
Elsewhere in the league, John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is recuperating from appendectomy surgery, aiming for an early November return date. Calder-winning defenseman Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils also struggles with a shoulder injury, with hopes of rejoining his team by early November. On the same team, Brett Pesce aims to return from a fractured fibula within the month of October.
The Edmonton Oilers await the return of Evander Kane, currently sidelined after hip and hernia surgeries, with an expected return by February 2025. Similarly, the Los Angeles Kings navigate the absence of Drew Doughty, who is rehabilitating from ankle surgery with no definitive timeframe for his return.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs anticipate Calle Jarnkrok's return from a lower-body injury by late October 2024. Over in Pittsburgh, Bryan Rust works through a lower-body injury himself, hoping to get back on the ice shortly.
The St. Louis Blues face a long-term absence as Torey Krug will not take to the ice for the entire 2025-26 season due to ankle surgery. And within the Utah Hockey Club, Nick Bjugstad healing from an upper-body injury is anticipated to return early November 2024, while John Marino is on track for a mid-October comeback.
Resilience and Recovery Await
In a profound demonstration of resilience, Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks targets a late October return as he recovers from testicular cancer. Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights are also on the lookout, optimistic about William Karlsson's anticipated return in October 2024 despite dealing with an undisclosed injury.
As the season progresses, NHL teams brace for the impacts these injuries will impose on their gameplay and strategies. Team doctors, coaches, and fans alike find themselves waiting in anticipation for positive recovery updates and the eventual return of these key players to the ice. In the fluid, unpredictable world of professional hockey, each of these athletes' rehabilitations will be pivotal in shaping their respective teams' seasons.