The 2024-25 NHL season is off to a dramatic start, yet it’s not just the thrill of goals and saves that's capturing headlines. A spate of injuries to key players across the league has begun to shape the early landscape of competition, casting shadows on team strategies and fan expectations.
Unfortunate Setbacks for Edmonton and Colorado
Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers' captain and a perennial contender for the title of the league's best player, is among the most high-profile names to be struck by injury. McDavid sustained an ankle injury on October 28 during a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This incident left the Alberta fans and management holding their breath as updates suggested he would be absent from the lineup for two to three weeks. Given the Oilers’ packed schedule, McDavid could miss as many as six crucial games—games in which his explosive speed and playmaking abilities will be sorely missed.
Another team grappling with significant absences is the Colorado Avalanche. Their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, remains sidelined, a saga that stretches back to the 2022 postseason. The dynamic leader underwent an intensive rehabilitation after arthroscopic knee surgery and a cartilage transplant, delaying his much-anticipated return to the ice. Meanwhile, his teammate Artturi Lehkonen is also out following shoulder surgery, leaving the Avalanche without two of their dependable forwards.
Sharks, Canucks, and the Loss of Key Goaltenders
The San Jose Sharks have been dealt their own blow with young sensation Macklin Celebrini suffering a lower-body injury just one game into the season. Celebrini, heralded as part of the future core of the Sharks, is expected to make a comeback in November. This timeline, while favorable, still leaves a gap in the early weeks where developing chemistry with the rest of the roster was a priority.
Across the border, the Vancouver Canucks are facing similar challenges. Goaltender Thatcher Demko is dealing with a knee injury that will keep him away from the crease for three to four weeks. Demko, known for his improved reflexes and game-stealing capabilities, is a cornerstone of the Canucks’ defensive strategy. His absence tests the depth and readiness of the team’s backup goaltending resources as they strive to maintain competitive pressure in his absence.
Juggling Lineups: More Stars Injured
The injury list extends farther, touching several more NHL teams. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks recently underwent appendectomy surgery, a procedure that necessitates cautious recovery. The Buffalo Sabres also find themselves without promising forward Zach Benson, who is battling a lower-body injury.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are managing without Erik Gudbranson due to an upper-body injury, and the Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane is currently recuperating from hip and hernia surgeries, adding to the team's woes alongside McDavid's injury. In Los Angeles, the Kings are monitoring Drew Doughty’s recovery following ankle surgery, hoping to see his stalwart presence return to bolster their defensive lines soon.
Broad Concerns as Injuries Accumulate
Additional absences include Anthony Duclair of the New York Islanders, who is recovering from a lower-body injury, and the St. Louis Blues' woes are doubled with Torey Krug and Robert Thomas both out. Krug underwent ankle surgery, while Thomas is temporarily sidelined with a fractured ankle. Vince Dunn of the Seattle Kraken, coping with a mid-body injury, and Calle Jarnkrok from the Toronto Maple Leafs, managing a lower-body issue, add to the extensive roll call of injured players.
The situation of John Marino, playing with the Utah Hockey Club, who is dealing with an upper-body issue, and Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks, recovering from testicular cancer, highlights that health challenges extend beyond the physical rigors of sport to personal battles that athletes navigate.
As the season progresses, the focus remains sharply on these pivotal recoveries. Teams will need to adapt, reshuffling lines and strategies to cope with these losses while hoping swift recoveries pave the way for a thrilling NHL season that lives up to its promise of competitive excellence and unexpected narratives.