The 2024-25 NHL season is officially underway with a few weeks in the books. With the season now over a month old, 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. During Monday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, Ovechkin collided with Utah forward Jack McBain and left the game. On Tuesday, the Capitals announced Ovechkin is now being listed week-to-week with a lower-leg injury.
Earlier this month, the Maple Leafs placed Auston Matthews on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. The move was retroactive to Nov. 3, and the Maple Leafs star is eligible to return at any point, but has yet to return.
On Saturday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced star winger Seth Jarvis will be placed on injured reserve. Jarvis hasn’t played since Nov. 9, when he suffered an injury against the Colorado Avalanche. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said Jarvis could return to the lineup as early as next week.
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 November.
Here is a list of many of the marquee players that are currently sidelined due to injury.
Mason McTavish (C)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late November
Last Played: 11/8/24
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
Tage Thompson (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late November
Last Played: 11/11/24
Frederik Andersen (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Mid-November 2024
Last Played: 10/26/24
Seth Jarvis (RW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late-November
Last Played: 11/9/24
Ross Colton
Type of Injury: Broken foot
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 6-8 weeks
Last Played: 10/28/24
Alexandar Georgiev (G)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/13/24
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
Kent Johnson (C)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 10/17/24
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
Darcy Kuemper (G)
Type of Injury: Undisclosed
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/13/24
Mats Zuccarello (RW)
Type of Injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: 3-4 weeks
Last Played: 11/14/24
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
Jamie Drysdale (D)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/9/24
Samuel Ersson (G)
Type of injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/11/24
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
Max Pacioretty (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/9/24
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
Brock Boeser (RW)
Type of injury: Upper-body
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Out indefinitely
Last Played: 11/7/24
Thatcher Demko (G)
Type of Injury: Knee
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Late October 2024
Last Played: 4/21/24
Nic Hague (D)
Type of Injury: Undisclosed
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/2/24
Washington Capitals
Alex Ovechkin (LW)
Type of Injury: Lower leg
Injured Reserve: No
Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week
Last Played: 11/18/24
The latest NHL injury report has some significant updates on two of the league’s biggest stars. Washington Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin is currently listed as week-to-week with an undisclosed upper-body injury, while Toronto Maple Leafs’ center Auston Matthews continues to be sidelined with a wrist injury.
Ovechkin, who leads the league in goals scored this season, suffered the injury during a game against the New York Rangers earlier this week. The Capitals have not provided any specific details on the nature of Ovechkin’s injury, but head coach Peter Laviolette has confirmed that the star forward will be out for at least the next few games. Ovechkin’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the Capitals, as he is a key contributor to their offense and leadership on the ice.
On the other hand, Matthews has been dealing with a wrist injury that has kept him out of the Maple Leafs’ lineup for the past few weeks. The 24-year-old center has been undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for the injury, but there is still no timetable for his return to action. Matthews’ absence has been a significant blow to the Maple Leafs, as he is one of the team’s top scorers and a key player in their quest for a playoff spot.
Both Ovechkin and Matthews are crucial players for their respective teams, and their injuries will undoubtedly have an impact on their performances in the coming weeks. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on their statuses and hoping for a speedy recovery for both players. In the meantime, other players will need to step up and fill the void left by these two superstars as their teams continue to push for success in the NHL.
