As the NHL season approaches, several teams face challenges due to player injuries. Key players are either ruled out or facing uncertainty as the first games of the season begin.
Injury Updates for NHL Season Openers
Anaheim Ducks
Ryan Strome will not join the Anaheim Ducks for their season-opening road trip. The Ducks will face the Seattle Kraken on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. Strome, who recorded 41 points last season, is dealing with an upper-body injury.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Brian Rust returned to practice on Wednesday in a regular jersey. After dealing with a lower-body injury, he did not participate in line rushes with the top line. The Penguins will host the New York Islanders in their home opener on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Buffalo Sabres
- Owen Power: The defenseman returned to practice wearing a non-contact jersey. Coach Lindy Ruff is hopeful that he will play against the New York Rangers on Thursday.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen: The goaltender is out with a lower body injury.
- Zach Benson: Returning from an undisclosed injury, he is expected to participate in Thursday’s game.
- Mattias Samuelsson: The defenseman practiced regularly and is a possibility to play on Thursday.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Zemgus Girgensons is expected to be out for multiple weeks due to an undisclosed injury. The forward sustained the injury in the preseason against the Florida Panthers. Tampa Bay begins their season against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday.
St. Louis Blues
- Oskar Sundqvist: Announced to be week-to-week due to a lower-body injury.
- Milan Lucic: Will remain with the team to recover from an undisclosed injury.
The Blues will host the Minnesota Wild in their season opener on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
Ottawa Senators
Drake Batherson has been placed on injured reserve and will not be available for the Senators’ opener against Tampa Bay. He is expected to potentially return for Saturday’s game against the Panthers.
Philadelphia Flyers
Cam York will miss the Flyers’ season opener against Florida. The team’s general manager stated they are assessing the severity of his lower-body injury, which currently remains day-to-day.
As teams finalize their rosters and tackle injuries, fans eagerly await the start of the NHL season.
