As the puck drops on the 2024-25 NHL season, fans and teams alike are confronted with an unsettling reality: significant injuries have already impacted some of the league's top players. These early season casualties threaten to reshape team dynamics and standings as franchises scramble to adapt without their star athletes.
Key Player Absences and Expected Returns
One of the most notable absences is that of Edmonton Oilers’ star forward Connor McDavid, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury. McDavid suffered the injury on October 28 in a matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. As the heart and soul of the Oilers’ lineup, McDavid's absence for two to three weeks could see him missing between five to six games, a potentially significant blow to the team that relies heavily on his elite playmaking abilities.
Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks' young sensation Macklin Celebrini also finds himself on the injured reserve list after just one game this season. Celebrini is dealing with a lower-body injury, and while the Sharks have not specified a precise return date, reports suggest he might be back in the lineup sometime in November.
In Vancouver, goaltender Thatcher Demko faces a similar layoff due to a knee injury. Expected to be out for three to four weeks, Demko's absence leaves the Canucks with a sizable gap to fill between the pipes. His replacement will have quite the task maintaining the Canucks’ defensive fortitude during his recovery.
Prolonged Recoveries and Surgical Interventions
Gabriel Landeskog, the captain of the Colorado Avalanche, remains absent from the ice, having not played since the 2022 postseason. Landeskog underwent extensive procedures including arthroscopic knee surgery and cartilage transplant surgery, and his long-term recovery adds further uncertainty to the Avalanche's captaincy and leadership structure.
Similarly, Anaheim Ducks’ goalie John Gibson is on the mend following appendectomy surgery, contributing to a rough beginning to the season for the Ducks’ roster depth.
The injury list extends beyond McDavid, Celebrini, Demko, and Landeskog. Buffalo Sabres’ Zach Benson is dealing with a lower-body injury, while Artturi Lehkonen of the Avalanche is sidelined after shoulder surgery. Further complicating matters, Erik Gudbranson from the Blue Jackets is recovering from an upper-body injury, and Edmonton's Evander Kane is recuperating from hip and hernia surgeries.
Impact on Team Compositions
The Los Angeles Kings are adjusting to play without veteran defenseman Drew Doughty, who is recovering from ankle surgery. Likewise, the New York Islanders are managing their lineup sans Anthony Duclair, who is battling a lower-body injury.
The St. Louis franchise has also been hit hard, with both Torey Krug and Robert Thomas out due to ankle injuries—Krug having undergone surgery and Thomas nursing a fracture. Vince Dunn of the Seattle Kraken and Calle Jarnkrok of the Toronto Maple Leafs are among others managing mid and lower-body issues, respectively.
In addition, John Marino, who plays for the Utah Hockey Club, is contending with an upper-body injury. Personal battles off the rink accompany these traditional injuries, with Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks facing recovery from testicular cancer. His journey is particularly poignant, reminding the community of the human stories interwoven into the world of professional sports.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, teams will need to recalibrate and adapt strategies around these significant absences. Established players and rookies alike will be called upon to step up and fill the void left by these stars. The resilience demonstrated in overcoming such challenges will not only test their competitive spirit but may also redefine the trajectory of their season.
The 2024-25 season, though marred by these early injuries, still holds the promise of exciting hockey, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport. As fans await the return of these marquee players, they are likely to witness a daring push from teams striving to overcome and thrive despite their setbacks.