The NHL Returns: A Season Marked by Injuries and Anticipation
The 2024-25 NHL season has commenced, rekindling the excitement of hockey fans across the globe. However, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over several teams as injuries threaten to overshadow the fast-paced action on the ice. This season is shaping up to be as much about who is on the injured reserve as who is making game-winning plays.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling the absence of their star player, Auston Matthews, sidelined due to an upper-body injury. Matthews' injury, retroactively marked from November 3, caused him to miss a crucial game against the Montreal Canadiens. The team and fans alike anxiously await his potential return against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. Additionally, Calle Jarnkrok, another pivotal player for the Leafs, was expected to make his comeback from a lower-body injury in late October.
Across the league, the injury plague has not spared the New York Islanders. Both Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech are on a four-to-six-week recovery period due to upper-body injuries. Despite these setbacks, minor injuries to defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov offer a sliver of relief, as they are considered day-to-day. Meanwhile, Anthony Duclair's lower-body injury keeps him out until December, further straining the Islanders' roster.
Vancouver Canucks' Thatcher Demko is dealing with a knee injury, a lingering issue since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team hopes for his return in early November. Adding to Vancouver's concerns, Dakota Joshua's recovery from testicular cancer marks an emotional and inspiring journey toward an imminent return.
In Carolina, the Hurricanes must cope without Frederik Andersen due to a lower-body injury until mid-November. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche face significant challenges with Gabriel Landeskog enduring a prolonged stint on injured reserve with a knee injury and Ross Colton and Miles Wood suffering from a broken foot and an upper-body injury, respectively. Colton's six-to-eight-week recovery period, combined with Wood's expected seven to ten days absence, could test the Avalanche's depth and resilience.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are troubled by the uncertain return dates for Erik Gudbranson and Boone Jenner, both grappling with upper-body injuries. Edmonton Oilers have a long-term concern with Evander Kane, whose return is anticipated in February 2025 post-hip and hernia surgeries, casting a shadow over their current season.
In Los Angeles, the Kings are without Drew Doughty's presence on the blue line due to an ankle injury with an undefined recovery timeline. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, the Blues face the extended absence of Torey Krug who will miss the rest of the season following ankle surgery. The loss of their linchpin, compounded by Robert Thomas' indefinite sidelining with a fractured ankle, poses a significant challenge for the team.
On the public skating rink, the Utah Hockey Club deals with setbacks as John Marino's upper-body injury leaves his return time in question. Additionally, Sean Durzi confronts a daunting four-to-six-month absence stemming from a shoulder injury, complicating their competitive aspirations.
As the season unfolds, the league, teams, players, and fans brace for what promises to be a challenging yet thrilling campaign. Each game presents an opportunity for rising talents to step into the breach and for seasoned veterans to assert their dominance once more. While injuries pose temporary impediments, they also pave the way for new narratives and unexpected heroes in the ever-evolving tapestry of the NHL.