The latest injury and lineup updates across the NHL reveal some significant roster challenges—and here's where it gets interesting. Some key players are sidelined, while others are nearing returns, which could all change the course of upcoming games. But how do these injuries impact team strategies, and what controversies might arise around these updates? Let’s dive into the details.
Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard, the talented young center, is sidelined for their upcoming game against the Detroit Red Wings scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET (broadcast on FDSNDET and CHSN). The injury occurred during the closing moments of a tough 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Specifically, Bedard was involved in a face-off against Blues’ Brayden Schenn with just one second remaining in regulation. Schenn attempted a stick lift that inadvertently struck Bedard, causing him to fall backward. Bedard immediately clutched his right shoulder, skating off and heading down the tunnel, with coach Jeff Blashill describing it as a "freak accident". An update is expected early next week. Notably, Bedard was productive in the game, recording two assists and maintaining Chicago’s leading points tally this season with 44 (19 goals, 25 assists over 31 games).
Winnipeg Jets
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck remains on the cusp of returning to action. After undergoing knee surgery on November 22, which was expected to sideline him for 4-6 weeks, he has started practicing again. Winnipeg’s coach Scott Arniel described his progress as "getting closer," noting that Hellebuyck participated in a full practice on Friday with plenty of traffic and bodies around him. The team is evaluating how he feels post-practice and how he wakes up the following day. Hellebuyck holds an impressive record this season—8-6-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and a save percentage of .913 in 14 starts.
Seattle Kraken
Jared McCann will be out indefinitely, approximately three weeks, due to a lower-body injury sustained in Wednesday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The right winger was injured in the final moments of regulation after a collision with Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg, which sent him down the tunnel moments before the game ended. McCann, who has contributed eight points this season (five goals, three assists in 11 games), was virtually a key offensive component for Seattle. Coach Lane Lambert acknowledged the loss, emphasizing that McCann’s presence is nearly a point-per-game player, and his absence is a significant blow to their offensive depth.
Utah Mammoth
Young star Logan Cooley is expected to be out for at least eight weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained during a game on December 5. Utah’s general manager, Bill Armstrong, announced this weekend’s injury timeline. Cooley, just 21 years old, has been an offensive catalyst for the team—leading them with 14 goals and ranking fifth overall with 23 points in 29 games. The injury occurred during a collision with goalie Kevin Lankinen after Cooley took a hard shot to the net while being defended by Quinn Hughes. Despite the injury, Cooley managed to skate off the ice on his own power initially, though he was visibly grabbing his knee during the incident.
Anaheim Ducks
Lukas Dostal rejoined the team’s roster after being activated from injured reserve on Friday. His return means he could be in goal for their Saturday game against the New Jersey Devils, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Dostal had been out for nine games with an upper-body injury since November 22 but has maintained solid numbers this season—an 11-5-1 record with a 2.81 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Rickard Rakell is making his return after a long absence due to hand surgery, which kept him out for 20 games. He’s set to rejoin the lineup in Saturday’s game against San Jose at 3 p.m. ET, having been activated from injured reserve. Rakell has been an effective contributor, with eight points in nine games this season, and expressed enthusiasm about returning to the ice, noting his hand feels entirely good and he’s ready to play.
New York Islanders
Jonathan Drouin is expected to come back for their Saturday game versus the Tampa Bay Lightning at 3:30 p.m. ET. He had missed five games with a back injury but is now healthy again. Conversely, Bo Horvat will miss the game and is considered day-to-day due to a lower-body injury sustained during a collision in Thursday’s 5-2 victory over the Ducks. Horvat left early after his skate tangled awkwardly with another player.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Oliver Ekman-Larsson may return for Saturday’s match against the Edmonton Oilers at 7 p.m. ET after leaving the last game in the third period due to a collision that appeared to injure his ankle. The veteran defenseman has accumulated 20 points this season and could provide a boost to Toronto’s back end. Additionally, Joseph Woll, who has been out with a lower-body injury, is practicing again. While he won’t play Saturday, there’s optimism he could return for Tuesday’s game against the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, Chris Tanev is getting a second opinion for his upper-body injury which has kept him out for 18 games.
Minnesota Wild
Jonas Brodin’s status remains uncertain for Saturday’s game against the Senators, as he was briefly injured but returned and continued playing. With nine points in 30 games, his presence is vital. In case Brodin can’t suit up, the team has recalled David Jiricek from the AHL.
Washington Capitals
Charlie Lindgren has been practicing again and will travel with the team for their upcoming road trip starting Saturday at Winnipeg. He has not played since December 3 due to an upper-body injury but is trending positively. Forward Ryan Leonard, however, will be out for 3-4 weeks following a shoulder injury sustained in a collision during a loss to Anaheim.
New Jersey Devils
Arseny Gritsyuk is sidelined for the next two games due to an upper-body injury. He played over 19 minutes in their last game on Thursday. Timo Meier remains out this weekend, having taken a leave of absence. Defenseman Simon Nemec also sustained an undisclosed injury during practice and will be unavailable for an unspecified period.
Ottawa Senators
Lars Eller is expected to miss at least the upcoming two games with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot in Thursday’s win over Columbus. The team will monitor his recovery while playing Saturday against Minnesota.
New York Rangers
Matt Rempe, who has been injured for almost two months, is close to returning but will not participate in Saturday’s game against Montreal. He was hurt during a fight with Ryan Reaves in October and has only scored once in nine appearances this season.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes signed defenseman Joel Nystrom to a four-year extension, valued at $4.9 million total. Nystrom, 23, has contributed four assists in 23 games and has earned a spot on the team's future plans. As he continues to develop, his addition is seen as a positive step for Carolina’s defensive depth.
