NHL Season Faces Early Injury Challenges
The excitement that accompanies the start of the NHL season is palpable, yet the 2024-25 campaign is already shadowed by significant injuries to several top players. As teams navigate these challenges, the absence of key athletes may shape the dynamics of the early weeks of the season.
Connor McDavid's Ankle Injury
In a setback for both the Edmonton Oilers and hockey fans alike, Connor McDavid is sidelined due to an ankle injury suffered during an October 28 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The incident, where McDavid tripped and awkwardly hit the boards, is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks. Depending on his recovery timeline, McDavid could miss anywhere from five to six games. The Oilers, already struggling with their start to the season, face an uphill battle without their star player who is regarded as one of the most electrifying talents in the game today.
Emerging Star Celebrini Also Sidelined
Macklin Celebrini, the highly-touted No. 1 pick for the San Jose Sharks, has had his debut season interrupted early. After just one game, in which he impressively recorded a goal and an assist, Celebrini finds himself on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Expectations are high for his return sometime in November, and the Sharks eagerly await the impact their new star is anticipated to make.
Goaltending Setback for Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks’ goaltender Thatcher Demko is facing a crucial absence due to a knee injury sustained during Game 1 of the team’s opening-round series against the Nashville Predators in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Demko's presence in front of the net is sorely missed, and the team will have to adapt for the next three to four weeks as they cope without their starting goalie.
Continued Challenges for Gabriel Landeskog
The return of Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog remains uncertain, marking a drawn-out saga for the talented forward who has not played since the 2022 postseason. Following arthroscopic knee surgery after leading his team to a Stanley Cup victory, Landeskog's path to recovery has included cartilage transplant surgery, causing him to sit out the entire 2023-24 season as well. His ongoing absence is a significant blow to the Avalanche as they look to solidify their standing early in the season.
Injury Plague Spreads Across the League
A wave of injuries is impacting several teams across the league. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks recently underwent appendectomy surgery, forcing him to take up residence on the injured reserve list. The Buffalo Sabres' Zach Benson joins him with a lower-body injury, while Artturi Lehkonen of the Colorado Avalanche faces time off following shoulder surgery.
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets are without Erik Gudbranson due to an upper-body injury. Edmonton's Evander Kane is also sidelined as he recovers from hip and hernia surgeries, posing another issue for the ailing Oilers.
Additional injuries include the Los Angeles Kings' Drew Doughty, who is recovering from ankle surgery, and Anthony Duclair from the New York Islanders, dealing with a lower-body injury. In St. Louis, both Torey Krug and Robert Thomas are out, with Krug undergoing ankle surgery and Thomas suffering from a fractured ankle.
The Seattle Kraken are without Vince Dunn due to a mid-body injury, while the Toronto Maple Leafs' Calle Jarnkrok is managing a lower-body issue. John Marino, playing for the Utah Hockey Club, is contending with an upper-body injury.
Vancouver's Dakota Joshua Faces Different Battle
Amidst these sports-related injuries, Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks is addressing a serious off-ice challenge as he recovers from testicular cancer. Joshua's courageous fight and ongoing recovery highlight a personal and inspiring narrative within the larger context of league-wide health concerns.
As the season progresses, teams will need to rely on their depth and adaptability to navigate the shifting landscape brought on by these injuries. While player absences shape early narratives, the resilience of teams and the anticipation of players' returns add another layer of intrigue to the unfolding NHL season.