The 2024-25 NHL season is officially underway with a few weeks in the books. While the season has barely begun, plenty of players have already hit the injured list.
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid has become the latest notable player to suffer an injury. During an Oct. 28 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, McDavid suffered a lower-body injury, and coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed McDavid will return to Edmonton to undergo further testing. McDavid is currently being listed as day-to-day.
Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini is currently on the shelf on injured reserve after playing just one game to begin his NHL career. Celebrini is currently dealing with a lower-body injury and could return sometime in November. Prior to going down, Celebrini tallied a goal and an assist in his first NHL game.
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.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog also is continuing to work his way back from injury. It’s been a long road for Landeskog, who hasn’t played since the 2022 postseason. Landeskog underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022. It was initially announced that Landeskog would miss the opening 12 weeks of the 2022-23 season, but he eventually ended up missing the entire campaign.
After revealing that the Colorado captain wouldn’t take part in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team announced he needed cartilage transplant surgery and would miss the entire 2023-24 season. Landeskog continues to rehabilitate his knee, but it’s unclear when he could return to the ice.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
John Gibson (G)
Type of Injury: Appendectomy surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 4/12/24
Zach Benson (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Early November 2024
Last Played: 10/19/24
Colorado Avalanche
Gabriel Landeskog
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 6/26/22
Artturi Lehkonen
Type of Injury: Shoulder surgery
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 5/17/24
Columbus Blue Jackets
Erik Gudbranson (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/15/24
Evander Kane (LW)
Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: February 2025
Last Played: 6/10/24
Connor McDavid (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: No (currently listed as day-to-day)
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/28/24
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
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
San Jose Sharks
Macklin Celebrini (C)
Type of Injury: Lower body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: October 2024
Last Played: 10/10/24
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
John Marino (D)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 4/15/24
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
Edmonton Oilers fans were left holding their breath as star player Connor McDavid was listed as day-to-day with a lower body injury during the 2024-25 NHL season. The news came as a shock to many, as McDavid is known for his durability and ability to stay on the ice for extended periods of time.
The injury occurred during a game against the Calgary Flames, when McDavid took a hard hit along the boards. He was seen limping off the ice and did not return to the game. The team announced that he would undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury and how long he would be out of the lineup.
McDavid’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Oilers, as he is not only their captain but also their leading scorer and playmaker. His speed and skill on the ice make him one of the most dynamic players in the league, and his presence is crucial to the team’s success.
While losing McDavid for any amount of time is a blow to the Oilers, fans can take solace in the fact that he is in good hands with the team’s medical staff. They will work tirelessly to ensure that he receives the best possible care and rehabilitation in order to get him back on the ice as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the Oilers will need to rely on their depth and other players to step up in McDavid’s absence. This will be a true test of their resilience and ability to overcome adversity, but with a talented roster and strong coaching staff, they have the potential to weather this storm and continue to compete at a high level.
As for McDavid, all eyes will be on his recovery process and when he will be able to make his return to the ice. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his condition and hoping for a speedy recovery so that they can once again witness his incredible talent and skill on display.
