Injury Headlines: Key Players Sidelined Across the League
Ryker Evans and Connor Bedard — Photo by Jenn G
Written by Gina Anton
As the 2025–26 NHL season reaches the midpoint of December, injuries continue to shape rosters across the league, forcing teams to adjust lineups and test organizational depth.
Panthers, Devils, Kraken & More Hit with Setbacks
A comprehensive injury report this week highlights a number of significant absences:
Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers) remains uncertain for the Winter Classic, with the club unable to confirm his readiness due to ongoing recovery questions.
Tyson Foerster of the Panthers is officially out for five months after an arm injury, a major blow to Florida’s forward depth.
Thomas Chabot of the Senators is nearing a return but is not yet fully cleared.
Blues Lose Holloway
The St. Louis Blues announced a tough break in their defensive corps, with Dylan Holloway out for approximately six weeks (ankle injury), a significant absence for a club battling in the Central Division.
Sharks (Multiple Injuries)
San Jose’s injury woes mount as both Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev are placed on injured reserve. Kurashev with an upper-body injury and Smith undesclosed. Their absences could impact the Sharks’ scoring punch, though it opens a chance for prospects to step in.
Wild Place Veteran D on IR
The Minnesota Wild have placed veteran defenseman Jonas Brodin on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Young blueliner Carson Lambos has been recalled and may make his NHL debut as the team fills the defensive gap.
Maple Leafs Goalie Returns, Others Shuffle Out
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, goaltender Joseph Woll returned to action, providing a boost between the pipes as the club managed through other unavailable players.
Notable Absences & Extended Timelines
Beyond those in official IR, multiple teams are navigating injury lists that affect matchups and lineup decisions:
Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks) reportedly dealt with a separated shoulder, leading to missed time and careful monitoring by Chicago’s medical staff who will reevaluated him in January.
Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings) is expected to miss time due to a collision with Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Kuemper was a recent addition to injured reserve which weakened the goaltending depth for his club.
Jack Roslovic (Edmonton Oilers) is sidelined after blocking a shot in late November, with the team finally clarifying the nature of his absence after weeks of speculation.
Call-Ups and Adjustments
In response to the injury landscape, NHL teams are turning to their organizations for reinforcements and adapting on the fly. Some teams have leaned on the AHL as injuries tally up through the mid-December stretch. Several clubs have players' day-to-day evaluation status as they await further medical updates.
With the league approaching the holiday schedule and fans gearing up for bigger games like the Winter Classic, these injuries will play a big role in how teams manage ice time, special teams, and roster flexibility. Clubs with deeper benches may benefit most in this rugged stretch of the season.
