From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: Four NHL Comebacks to Watch in 2026-27

Written by Gina Anton

For NHL players, returning from a major injury is about more than simply getting back into the lineup. Rehabilitation can take months, careers can be temporarily put on hold, and the first game back can carry a different weight for everyone involved.

As training camps approach, several prominent NHL players are preparing to turn the page on difficult injury stretches. For these four, the road back could have a significant impact on their teams, but the comeback itself may matter even more to the players at the center of it.

Auston Matthews — Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews' 2025-26 season came to an early end after he suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear in his left knee following a knee-on-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas on March 11. Matthews underwent surgery on March 19, with the Maple Leafs initially placing his recovery timeline at approximately 12 weeks.

That timeline put Matthews in position to target the start of the 2026-27 season. In August, the Toronto captain returned to the ice for training in Arizona, providing an encouraging sign as he works his way back.

Matthews' health is especially important for a Maple Leafs team that struggled offensively last season. He finished 2025-26 with 27 goals and 53 points, well below the production expected from one of the NHL's premier goal scorers.

A healthy Matthews would immediately change Toronto's offensive outlook. His scoring ability forces opposing defenses to adjust, creating opportunities for the players around him while giving the Maple Leafs their captain and centerpiece back.

For Matthews, however, the comeback is about more than statistics. After playing through injuries in recent seasons and then seeing another campaign cut short, getting back to full strength could provide an opportunity to reset. His first full training camp since the injury will be an important step toward putting a frustrating season behind him.

Tyler Seguin — Dallas Stars

Tyler Seguin's latest setback came on December 2, when he tore the ACL in his right knee during a game against the New York Rangers. The injury ended his 2025-26 season after just 27 games, and he ultimately underwent surgery.

Seguin has been targeting a return for Dallas' 2026-27 training camp. He said the typical recovery timeline for the injury is around nine months, which lines up closely with the beginning of camp.

The timing of the injury is particularly significant because Seguin has already dealt with considerable time away from the lineup. He has appeared in only 47 games over the past two seasons, making a healthy return about much more than filling a spot on Dallas' forward group.

The Stars have continued to compete at a high level, but Seguin's experience and offensive ability remain valuable pieces of the roster. Getting him back into the lineup would give Dallas another veteran option as it continues to pursue a Stanley Cup.

For Seguin, this could be one of the most important comebacks of his career. After repeatedly seeing injuries interrupt his seasons, a return to consistent NHL action would give the longtime Star a chance to regain some of the stability that has been missing from the latter part of his career.

Thatcher Demko — Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko's road back has been complicated by injuries over the past several seasons. The Vancouver Canucks announced in January that Demko would undergo hip surgery and miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season. At the time, the organization expected him to be ready for training camp following his rehabilitation.

Demko last played on January 10 and appeared in just 20 games during the season, posting an 8-10-1 record, a .897 save percentage and a 2.90 goals-against average.

His return could have major implications for Vancouver. When healthy, Demko gives the Canucks a goaltender capable of stealing games and anchoring a team from the crease. But his availability has become one of the biggest questions surrounding the position.

That question remains heading into camp. In June, Canucks management stopped short of guaranteeing that Demko would be ready for training camp, emphasizing that the focus was on his recovery rather than putting pressure on a specific date.

For Demko, that patience may be just as important as the eventual return. After multiple injury setbacks, the goal is not simply to get back into the crease, it is to stay there. A healthy season would allow Demko to rebuild consistency and confidence while giving Vancouver a chance to see what its roster can look like with its No. 1 goaltender available.

Jake Sanderson — Ottawa Senators

Jake Sanderson's 2025-26 season ended during Ottawa's first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The defenseman suffered a concussion after taking a high hit from Carolina forward Taylor Hall in Game 3 on April 23. Sanderson remained on the ice for two additional shifts before leaving the game and was ruled out for Game 4. Senators coach Travis Green said the defenseman was "not doing very well" the following day.

The concussion came after Sanderson had already missed time earlier in the season with an upper-body injury, adding another interruption to a campaign in which he remained one of Ottawa's most important defensemen.

Before the playoff injury, Sanderson had established himself as a major part of the Senators' blue line. He finished the regular season with 54 points and a plus-16 rating in 67 games, continuing to develop into a player Ottawa can rely on in significant minutes.

His return would give the Senators back one of their most important young defensemen as they look to build on consecutive playoff appearances. Sanderson's ability to move the puck, contribute offensively and handle difficult minutes makes his presence particularly valuable to Ottawa's developing roster.

But after a concussion, the priority should be different. There is no reason for Sanderson, or the Senators, to rush his return simply because the team needs him. For a young player entering an important stage of his career, being fully healthy should come before meeting a specific timetable.

More Than a Return

Each of these players enters the 2026-27 season with a different challenge.

Matthews is looking to reclaim his place at the center of Toronto's offense. Seguin is trying to break through a cycle of injuries that has repeatedly interrupted his career. Demko is searching for the consistency that has been difficult to maintain, while Sanderson faces the careful process of returning from a concussion.

Their recoveries will influence more than line combinations and playoff expectations. They will affect how their teams approach the season and how confident their teammates can be with key pieces back in the lineup.

But ultimately, the most important part of any comeback is the player.

For Matthews, Seguin, Demko and Sanderson, returning to the ice is just one part of the process. Injuries can take a physical and mental toll, and rebuilding confidence can be just as important as getting back into game shape. Staying healthy and feeling comfortable in their game will be key as they work toward returning to their best.