The 2024-25 NHL season is officially underway with a few weeks in the books. While the season has barely begun, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been forced to deal with one of their top stars being out in Auston Matthews.
On Friday, the Maple Leafs placed Matthews on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. The move was retroactive to Nov. 3. The designation caused Matthews to miss Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens, but the Maple Leafs star is eligible to return for Tuesday’s contest against the Ottawa Senators.
Earlier this month, the Islanders announced a lengthy injury list, and Barzal was the biggest name of the bunch. Barzal is expected to miss four-to-six weeks with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Defenseman Adam Pelech will also be hitting IR while dealing with an upper-body injury as well. He has the same four-to-six week timetable as Barzal.
Two more Islanders, defensemen Mike Reilly and Alex Romanov, have been listed as day-to-day with minor injuries.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is also currently out of the lineup. Demko is currently dealing with a knee injury that has hampered him since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Game 1 of Vancouver’s opening-round series against the Nashville Predators, Demko injured his knee and wasn’t able to return at any point in the postseason. It was recently revealed the Canucks netminder will miss three-to-four weeks, so he could return to the ice in early November.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
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
Ross Colton
Type of injury: Broken foot
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 6-8 weeks
Last played: 10/28/24
Miles Wood
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: 7-10 days
Last played: 10/28/24
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
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
Mat Barzal (C)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 weeks
Last Played: 10/30/24
Adam Pelech (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 4-6 weeks
Last Played: 11/1/24
Mike Reilly (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
Alex Romanov (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day
Last Played: 11/1/24
Ottawa Senators
Shane Pinto (C)
Type of Injury: Undisclosed
Injured Reserve: No (currently listed as week-to-week
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/22/24
Torey Krug (D)
Type of Injury: Ankle surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season
Last Played: 4/10/24
Robert Thomas (C)
Type of Injury: Fractured ankle
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/22/24
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
Vince Dunn (D)
Type of Injury: Mid-body injury
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/17/24
Calle Jarnkrok (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 9/22/24
Auston Matthews (C)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 11/3/24
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
Thatcher Demko (G)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 4/21/24
Dakota Joshua (C)
Type of Injury: Recovery from testicular cancer
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 5/20/24
Jakob Chychrun (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: November 2024
Last Played: 10/29/24
The Toronto Maple Leafs received some unfortunate news as star center Auston Matthews has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury for the 2024-25 NHL season. Matthews, who is widely regarded as one of the top players in the league, suffered the injury during a recent game and will now be sidelined for an extended period of time.
This news comes as a major blow to the Maple Leafs, who were counting on Matthews to be a key contributor to their success this season. The 26-year-old has been a dominant force on the ice since entering the league in 2016, consistently putting up impressive numbers and earning numerous accolades along the way.
Matthews’ absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, as he is not only a prolific goal scorer but also a strong playmaker and leader on and off the ice. His presence will be sorely missed in all areas of the game, from scoring goals to setting up his teammates for success.
In his absence, the Maple Leafs will need to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by Matthews’ injury. This will be no easy task, as Matthews’ skill and talent are truly irreplaceable. However, the team will need to come together and rally around each other in order to continue their pursuit of a playoff spot and ultimately, a Stanley Cup championship.
As for Matthews himself, the focus will now shift to his recovery and rehabilitation process. Upper-body injuries can be tricky and unpredictable, so it is important for him to take the necessary time to heal properly and not rush back to the ice before he is fully ready.
While it is disappointing to see Matthews sidelined with an injury, there is no doubt that he will come back stronger and more determined than ever. In the meantime, the Maple Leafs and their fans will need to show their support for Matthews and the rest of the team as they navigate this challenging period without one of their top stars.
