As the NHL 2024-25 season commences, teams across the league face significant challenges in the form of injuries, impacting key players' availability and, potentially, the dynamics of the competition. The New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, and Colorado Avalanche are among those grappling with the absence of star talents, which could influence their early performances.
Islanders' Challenges
The New York Islanders have been hit hard, with notable absences on their roster. Mat Barzal, a pivotal player for the team, is sidelined with an upper-body injury that is expected to keep him off the ice for four to six weeks. His absence could resonate throughout the Islanders' gameplay, given his crucial role in offensive plays.
Joining Barzal on the injury list is Adam Pelech, who is facing a similar recovery timeline for an upper-body injury. Furthermore, Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov are also listed as day-to-day, suggesting that the Islanders' depth will be tested in the opening weeks of the season. The Islanders will need to find ways to compensate for these absences if they are to maintain a strong start.
Connor McDavid's Absence
Over in Edmonton, the situation is equally concerning with the absence of Connor McDavid, one of the league's most electrifying players. An ankle injury sustained during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 28 is expected to sideline him for two to three weeks. McDavid, known for his speed and playmaking, will be sorely missed, and his absence could have a pronounced impact on the Oilers' ability to dominate offensively in the early season.
San Jose Sharks' New Talent Sidelines
Macklin Celebrini, a promising talent for the San Jose Sharks, is currently dealing with a lower-body injury. Celebrini, who made an impressive NHL debut by scoring a goal and an assist, is expected to return to action in November. The Sharks will undoubtedly be eager to see this young star back, as his early contribution hinted at significant potential to influence games.
Colorado Avalanche Injury Woes
The Colorado Avalanche face a series of setbacks themselves, with multiple players building up on their injury list. Gabriel Landeskog's ongoing knee issues keep him sidelined, while Artturi Lehkonen is on the mend from shoulder surgery. More worrying for the Avalanche is the loss of Ross Colton, who will miss six to eight weeks due to a broken foot. The compounded weight of these absences is amplified by Miles Wood's upper-body injury, straining the Avalanche's roster depth as they navigate the season's early weeks.
Additional Injury Reports
Teams across the NHL find themselves navigating a treacherous injury landscape. From the Vancouver Canucks, Thatcher Demko remains in recovery from a knee injury sustained during the previous season's Stanley Cup Playoffs, with an expected absence of three to four weeks. This comes as a significant blow to the Canucks' defensive efforts.
The Los Angeles Kings' star defender, Drew Doughty, is currently recuperating from ankle surgery, demonstrating a common thread of ankle-related injuries around the league this season. Similarly, the St. Louis Blues' Torey Krug is out for the entire season after undergoing ankle surgery, while Robert Thomas is contending with a fractured ankle.
Other noteworthy absences include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, recovering from appendectomy surgery, and Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers is in the midst of a recovery from hip and hernia surgeries. Additionally, Dakota Joshua from Vancouver faces the unique challenge of recovering from a diagnosis of testicular cancer, signaling deeper, personal battles beyond the rink.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are without Erik Gudbranson due to an upper-body injury, which could complicate their defensive strategies. Zach Benson of the Buffalo Sabres and Calle Jarnkrok of the Toronto Maple Leafs both face lower-body injuries, while John Marino of the Utah Hockey Club is nursing an upper-body concern.
Looking Ahead
As teams work to adapt without key players, the early part of the season will test depth and resilience across the NHL. These injuries underscore the relentless and often unforgiving physical demands of professional hockey. Teams will need to rely on their depth, strategic adjustments, and emerging players to weather these early-season challenges. How these squads adapt and respond might very well set the tone for the rest of the campaign.