As the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw near, the Edmonton Oilers, a strong contender for the championship, are facing injury concerns with their star players. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are expected to be sidelined for the next few games.
While April 1st is the earliest possible return date for McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have not confirmed when either player will be back in action. Draisaitl currently tops the NHL scoring charts with 49 goals and ranks second in the league with 101 points. McDavid is also among the league`s top performers, holding third place 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 weakens their lineup and could jeopardize their chances of securing home-ice advantage in the first round and beyond.
The Florida Panthers, the other finalist from last year`s Stanley Cup, are also grappling with key injuries. Star forward Matthew Tkachuk, after sustaining a groin injury, has been placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR). He is anticipated to remain out of play until the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
`Matthew will be out for a significant period. Our hope is to have him back for the playoffs,` stated Panthers General Manager Bill Zito on March 3rd.
Below is an overview of prominent players currently out of play due to injuries across the NHL:
- Anaheim Ducks
- Brock McGinn (LW)
- Robby Fabbri (C)
- Boston Bruins
- Hampus Lindholm (D)
- Charlie McAvoy (D)
- Buffalo Sabres
- Josh Norris (C)
- Jordan Greenway (LW)
- Calgary Flames
- Justin Kirkland (C)
- Connor Zary (C)
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Jesper Fast (RW)
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Alec Martinez (D)
- Jason Dickinson (C)
- Colorado Avalanche
- Gabriel Landeskog (LW)
- Josh Manson (D)
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Kevin Labanc (RW)
- Dallas Stars
- Tyler Seguin (C)
- Miro Heiskanen (D)
- Nils Lundkvist (D)
- Detroit Red Wings
- Andrew Copp (C)
- Petr Mrazek (G)
- Erik Gustafsson (D)
- Edmonton Oilers
- Connor McDavid (C)
- Leon Draisaitl (C)
- Stuart Skinner (G)
- Mattias Ekholm (D)
- Evander Kane (LW)
- Florida Panthers
- Matthew Tkachuk (LW)
- Dmitry Kulikov (D)
- Minnesota Wild
- Kirill Kaprizov (LW)
- Joel Eriksson Ek (C)
- Montreal Canadiens
- Kirby Dach (C)
- Nashville Predators
- Roman Josi (D)
- Jeremy Lauzon (D)
- Adam Wilsby (D)
- New Jersey Devils
- Jack Hughes (C)
- Dougie Hamilton (D)
- Jonas Siegenthaler (D)
- Luke Hughes (D)
- New York Islanders
- Semyon Varlamov (G)
- Mat Barzal (C)
- New York Rangers
- Arthur Kaliyev (RW)
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Rasmus Ristolainen (D)
- Garnet Hathaway (RW)
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- P.O. Joseph (D)
- Tommy Novak (C)
- Evgeni Malkin (C)
- San Jose Sharks
- Logan Couture (C)
- Seattle Kraken
- Chandler Stephenson (C)
- St. Louis Blues
- Torey Krug (D)
- Colton Parayko (D)
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Jani Hakanpaa (D)
- Max Pacioretty (LW)
- Utah Hockey Club
- Robert Bortuzzo (D)
- Vancouver Canucks
- Elias Pettersson (C)
- Nils Hoglander (LW)
- Filip Chytil (C)
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Tomas Hertl (C)
- Shea Theodore (D)
- Alex Pietrangelo (D)
- Washington Capitals
- Sonny Milano (LW)
- Winnipeg Jets
- Gabriel Vilardi (C)
- Neal Pionk (D)
- 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: Unknown
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 Islanders
Semyon Varlamov (G)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 11/29/24
Mat Barzal (C)
Type of Injury: Lower-body
Injured Reserve: Yes
Approximate Return Date: Unknown
Last Played: 1/1/25
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
