NHL Injury Report: Playoff Race Heats Up as Key Players Sidelined

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As the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw near, the Edmonton Oilers, a strong contender, are facing a challenge with injuries to their star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Both are anticipated to be out for the next few games.

While April 1st is the earliest possible return date for McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have not confirmed when they will be back on the ice. Draisaitl currently tops the NHL with 49 goals and is second in points with 101. McDavid is also a key offensive force, ranking third in assists (64) and fourth in points (90).

The Oilers are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Pacific Division with the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings. The absence of McDavid and Draisaitl significantly impacts their chances, potentially costing them home-ice advantage in the first round and beyond.

The Florida Panthers, another Stanley Cup Final team from last year, are also dealing with a major injury. Forward Matthew Tkachuk, after a groin injury sustained in the 4 Nations Face-Off, has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) and is expected to be sidelined until the playoffs.

`Matthew will be out for a while. We are hoping for his return for the playoffs,` stated Panthers General Manager Bill Zito on March 3rd.

Below is an overview of prominent NHL players currently out due to injuries:

Contents
  1. Anaheim Ducks
  2. Brock McGinn (LW)
  3. Robby Fabbri (C)
  4. Boston Bruins
  5. Hampus Lindholm (D)
  6. Charlie McAvoy (D)
  7. Buffalo Sabres
  8. Josh Norris (C)
  9. Jordan Greenway (LW)
  10. Calgary Flames
  11. Justin Kirkland (C)
  12. Connor Zary (C)
  13. Carolina Hurricanes
  14. Jesper Fast (RW)
  15. Chicago Blackhawks
  16. Alec Martinez (D)
  17. Jason Dickinson (C)
  18. Colorado Avalanche
  19. Gabriel Landeskog (LW)
  20. Josh Manson (D)
  21. Columbus Blue Jackets
  22. Kevin Labanc (RW)
  23. Dallas Stars
  24. Tyler Seguin (C)
  25. Miro Heiskanen (D)
  26. Nils Lundkvist (D)
  27. Detroit Red Wings
  28. Andrew Copp (C)
  29. Petr Mrazek (G)
  30. Erik Gustafsson (D)
  31. Edmonton Oilers
  32. Connor McDavid (C)
  33. Leon Draisaitl (C)
  34. Stuart Skinner (G)
  35. Mattias Ekholm (D)
  36. Evander Kane (LW)
  37. Florida Panthers
  38. Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
  39. Dmitry Kulikov (D)
  40. Minnesota Wild
  41. Kirill Kaprizov (LW)
  42. Joel Eriksson Ek (C)
  43. Montreal Canadiens
  44. Kirby Dach (C)
  45. Nashville Predators
  46. Roman Josi (D)
  47. Jeremy Lauzon (D)
  48. Adam Wilsby (D)
  49. New Jersey Devils
  50. Jack Hughes (C)
  51. Dougie Hamilton (D)
  52. Jonas Siegenthaler (D)
  53. Luke Hughes (D)
  54. New York Rangers
  55. Arthur Kaliyev (RW)
  56. Philadelphia Flyers
  57. Rasmus Ristolainen (D)
  58. Garnet Hathaway (RW)
  59. Pittsburgh Penguins
  60. P.O. Joseph (D)
  61. Tommy Novak (C)
  62. Evgeni Malkin (C)
  63. San Jose Sharks
  64. Logan Couture (C)
  65. Seattle Kraken
  66. Chandler Stephenson (C)
  67. St. Louis Blues
  68. Torey Krug (D)
  69. Colton Parayko (D)
  70. Toronto Maple Leafs
  71. Jani Hakanpaa (D)
  72. Max Pacioretty (LW)
  73. Utah Hockey Club
  74. Robert Bortuzzo (D)
  75. Vancouver Canucks
  76. Elias Pettersson (C)
  77. Nils Hoglander (LW)
  78. Filip Chytil (C)
  79. Vegas Golden Knights
  80. Tomas Hertl (C)
  81. Shea Theodore (D)
  82. Alex Pietrangelo (D)
  83. Washington Capitals
  84. Sonny Milano (LW)
  85. Winnipeg Jets
  86. Gabriel Vilardi (C)
  87. Neal Pionk (D)
  88. Rasmus Kupari (C)

Anaheim Ducks

Brock McGinn (LW)

Type of Injury: Torn ACL

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 12/23/24

Robby Fabbri (C)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 2/25/25

Boston Bruins

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

Charlie McAvoy (D)

Type of Injury: Infection

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 2/8/25

Buffalo Sabres

Josh Norris (C)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/12/25

Jordan Greenway (LW)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/23/25

Calgary Flames

Justin Kirkland (C)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 11/29/25

Connor Zary (C)

Type of Injury: Knee

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Uknown

Last Played: 3/27/25

Carolina Hurricanes

Jesper Fast (RW)

Type of Injury: Neck

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 4/16/24

Chicago Blackhawks

Alec Martinez (D)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/22/25

Jason Dickinson (C)

Type of Injury: Wrist

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 3/22/25

Colorado Avalanche

Gabriel Landeskog (LW)

Type of Injury: Knee

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 6/26/22

Josh Manson (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: 3-4 weeks

Last Played: 3/14/25

Columbus Blue Jackets

Kevin Labanc (RW)

Type of Injury: Shoulder

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 2/4/25

Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin (C)

Type of Injury: Hip

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 4-6 months

Last Played: 12/1/24

Miro Heiskanen (D)

Type of Injury: Knee

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Month-to-month

Last Played: 1/28/25

Nils Lundkvist (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 1/21/25

Detroit Red Wings

Andrew Copp (C)

Type of Injury: Pectoral

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 2/22/25

Petr Mrazek (G)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/24/25

Erik Gustafsson (D)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/18/25

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid (C)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/20/25

Leon Draisaitl (C)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/18/25

Stuart Skinner (G)

Type of Injury: Concussion

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/26/25

Mattias Ekholm (D)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/26/25

Evander Kane (LW)

Type of Injury: Hip, hernia surgeries

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: February 2025

Last Played: 6/10/24

Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk (LW)

Type of Injury: Groin

Injured Reserve: Yes (LTIR)

Approximate Return Date: Start of 2025 postseason

Last Played: 2/8/25

Dmitry Kulikov (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 3/16/25

Minnesota Wild

Kirill Kaprizov (LW)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 4 weeks

Last Played: 1/26/25

Joel Eriksson Ek (C)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 2/22/25

Montreal Canadiens

Kirby Dach (C)

Type of Injury: Knee

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 2/22/25

Nashville Predators

Roman Josi (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 2/25/25

Jeremy Lauzon (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 12/31/24

Adam Wilsby (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 2/3/25

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes (C)

Type of Injury: Shoulder

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 3/2/25

Dougie Hamilton (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/4/25

Jonas Siegenthaler (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2-3 weeks

Last Played: 2/4/25

Luke Hughes (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/26/25

New York Rangers

Arthur Kaliyev (RW)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 3/11/25

Philadelphia Flyers

Rasmus Ristolainen (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 3/11/25

Garnet Hathaway (RW)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 2/27/25

Pittsburgh Penguins

P.O. Joseph (D)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/1/25

Tommy Novak (C)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/9/25

Evgeni Malkin (C)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/23/25

San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture (C)

Type of Injury: Groin

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 1/31/24

Seattle Kraken

Chandler Stephenson (C)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 3/19/25

St. Louis Blues

Torey Krug (D)

Type of Injury: Ankle surgery

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: 2025-26 season

Last Played: 4/10/24

Colton Parayko (D)

Type of Injury: Knee

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: 6 weeks

Last Played: 3/5/25

Toronto Maple Leafs

Jani Hakanpaa (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 11/16/24

Max Pacioretty (LW)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 2/8/25

Utah Hockey Club

Robert Bortuzzo (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Unknown

Last Played: 1/2/25

Vancouver Canucks

Elias Pettersson (C)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/22/25

Nils Hoglander (LW)

Type of Injury: Undisclosed

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/22/25

Filip Chytil (C)

Type of Injury: Concussion

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/15/25

Vegas Golden Knights

Tomas Hertl (C)

Type of Injury: Arm

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/23/25

Shea Theodore (D)

Type of Injury: Wrist

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 1/8/25

Alex Pietrangelo (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/23/25

Washington Capitals

Sonny Milano (LW)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: Yes

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 11/6/24

Winnipeg Jets

Gabriel Vilardi (C)

Type of Injury: Upper-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 3/23/25

Neal Pionk (D)

Type of Injury: Lower-body

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Week-to-week

Last Played: 3/11/25

Rasmus Kupari (C)

Type of Injury: Concussion

Injured Reserve: No

Approximate Return Date: Day-to-day

Last Played: 3/25/25

Nathan Kirkwood
Nathan Kirkwood

Nathan Kirkwood, based in Leeds, has established himself as a respected voice in British sports media over the past decade. Initially covering amateur MMA events, he's evolved into a versatile analyst focusing on combat sports and NBA basketball.

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