The 2024-25 NHL season continues to move along. With the season in full swing, a few teams are dealing with significant injuries.
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is attempting to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record, but that pursuit has hit a bit of a snag. Last month against the Utah Hockey Club, Ovechkin collided with Utah forward Jack McBain and left the game. The following day, the Capitals listed Ovechkin as week-to-week with a lower-leg injury.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are currently on a massive losing streak, and it doesn’t help that the team is without star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin has been dealing with back spasms this month and has missed Buffalo’s last seven games. However, Dahlin is progressing towards returning to the ice, and could play against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, Dec. 20.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
Anaheim Ducks
Trevor Zegras (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 12/4/24
Hampus Lindholm (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown (expected to miss multiple weeks)
Last Played: 11/12/24
Buffalo Sabres
Rasmus Dahlin (D)
Type of Injury: Back
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 12/3/24
Frederik Andersen (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/26/24
Gabriel Landeskog
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 6/26/22
Erik Gudbranson (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/15/24
Boone Jenner (C)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 3/28/24
Detroit Red Wings
Cam Talbot (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 12/1/24
Evander Kane (LW)
Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 6/10/24
Drew Doughty (D)
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 9/25/24
Anthony Duclair (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: December 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Mike Reilly (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
New York Rangers
K’Andre Miller (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 12/11/24
Torey Krug (D)
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 4/10/24
Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/18/24
Logan Couture (C)
Type of injury: Groin
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/31/24
Jordan Eberle (RW)
Type of Injury: Pelvic surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 11/14/24
Anthony Stolarz (G)
Type of Injury: Knee surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 12/12/24
Calle Jarnkrok (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 9/22/24
John Marino (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/15/24
Sean Durzi (D)
Type of Injury: Shoulder
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 months
Last Played: 10/14/24
Vancouver Canucks
Filip Hronek (D)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: January 2025
Last Played: 11/27/24
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower leg
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 11/18/24
As the 2024-25 NHL season continues, teams are facing the inevitable challenge of dealing with injuries to key players. Two notable updates on the injury front come from the Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabres.
Firstly, the Washington Capitals are currently dealing with a significant blow as their star forward, Alex Ovechkin, is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Ovechkin, who has been a dominant force on the ice for the Capitals for over a decade, is a crucial part of their offensive firepower. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team as they look to maintain their position in the competitive Metropolitan Division.
On the other hand, the Buffalo Sabres received some positive news regarding their young defenseman, Rasmus Dahlin. The former first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft has been sidelined with a lower-body injury but is nearing a return to the lineup. Dahlin’s return will be a welcome sight for the Sabres, who are looking to improve their defensive play and climb up the standings in the Atlantic Division.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality in professional sports, and teams must adapt and adjust their lineups accordingly. The Capitals will need to find ways to generate offense in Ovechkin’s absence, while the Sabres will be eager to see Dahlin back on the blue line to bolster their defensive efforts.
As the season progresses, keeping an eye on injury updates will be crucial for fans and fantasy hockey players alike. The health and availability of key players can have a significant impact on a team’s success, and staying informed on the latest injury news will be essential for following the 2024-25 NHL season.