The injury epidemic in the NHL
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Players are bound to get injured every season, no matter the sport. It is simply the way of the game. Injuries can cause teams to tank astronomically. A single key player going down can derail a championship run, disrupt team chemistry, and force unexpected lineup changes. The impact of injuries extends beyond just the athletes, they influence coaching strategies, fan expectations, and even front-office decisions.
The 2024-25 National Hockey League (NHL) season has proved difficult for some teams in this regard. Many teams that once were consistent playoff and regular season teams have now fallen below the mark— with injuries to blame. Whether it’s a franchise player missing extended time or a series of smaller injuries piling up, the absence of key contributors has made a noticeable difference in teams’ success.
The New Jersey Devils lost their star center, Jack Hughes, to a season-ending injury in their game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Mar. 2. Hughes is on long-term injury reserve after undergoing shoulder surgery. He is expected to fully recover and be available to play in time for the 2025 New Jersey Devils Training Camp. The loss of Hughes, however, is a huge blow to the Devils' offense. The 23-year-old center leads the team with 27 goals and is tied with fellow forward Jesper Bratt for total points with 70 points.
The Florida Panthers had much to live up to as defending Stanley Cup Champions this season. The Panthers are sitting at number one in the Atlantic Division, but with a slew of injuries to key players, they might have a tough time in the postseason. Forward Matthew Tkachuk suffered a groin injury during the Four Nations Faceoff Tournament and will be out for the rest of the regular season. Tkachuk has recorded a total of 57 points through 52 games, with 22 goals and 35 assists.
The Panthers have continued to perform at a high level, despite these roster adjustments. They even recently ended the Tampa Bay Lightning's eight-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory. Center Aleksander Barkov stepped up by scoring both goals in that game, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves.
In the Central Division, the Dallas Stars are in second behind the Winnipeg Jets. The Stars lost a major part of the offensive strength with the loss of forward Tyler Seguin, who underwent hip surgery on Dec. 4, 2024. Another recent loss to injury for the Stars is defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who underwent knee surgery and was put on long-term injury reserve on Mar. 7. Heiskanen and Seguin’s absence will affect both the Stars’ offense and defense in ways that are sure to be noticed by the team.
The Boston Bruins are another team that was slammed with injuries to some of their best players. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy suffered a shoulder injury compounded by an infection during the Four Nations Faceoff Tournament, leading him to the injury reserve. As if the Bruins defense could handle another blow, defenceman Hampus Lindholm underwent surgery for a fractured patella and is now on long-term injury reserve.
While some teams have found ways to adapt and stay competitive, others have struggled to compensate for their losses. As the season winds down and the playoffs draw closer, teams will have to lean on their depth and flexibility to navigate these challenges. In a league where endurance is just as important as talent, staying healthy could be the deciding factor in who wins the Cup and who does not.