As the 2024-25 NHL season unfolds, several teams find themselves grappling with the harsh realities of injury setbacks, a familiar yet unwelcome aspect of professional hockey. The Minnesota Wild, in particular, are navigating turbulent waters as they face considerable challenges in maintaining a healthy lineup, especially in their defensive ranks.
Minnesota Wild's Defensive Struggles
The Wild's blue line has been significantly impacted, with key players sidelined due to injuries. Jared Spurgeon, a pivotal figure in Minnesota's defense, suffered an injury during a clash on New Year's Eve against Nashville, which involved Zachary L'Heureux. Spurgeon's absence is expected to be lengthy, adding pressure to an already strained defensive unit.
Adding to the Wild’s woes, Brock Faber sustained an upper-body injury while competing against the St. Louis Blues on January 7. Currently, Faber's status is day-to-day, leaving the team hopeful for a swift return to bolster their defense.
Offensively, the Wild are also missing their star forward, Kirill Kaprizov. Kaprizov has been on the injured reserve list since December 23 but has started skating again. However, clearance for game action remains pending, leaving Minnesota eager for his return to catalyze their attacking play.
Injury Woes Around the League
Elsewhere in the league, teams are dealing with their own injury battles. The Boston Bruins' Hampus Lindholm is out with a lower-body injury, anticipated to sideline him for several weeks. Similarly, the Anaheim Ducks’ Trevor Zegras is battling a lower-body issue.
The Colorado Avalanche have been hard hit as well, with Gabriel Landeskog out due to a knee injury, while teammate Jonathan Drouin recovers week-to-week from an upper-body concern. Dallas Stars’ forward Tyler Seguin is navigating a lengthy rehabilitation following hip surgery, potentially keeping him off the ice for up to six months.
Long-Term Absences Raise Questions
Among the more protracted absences is St. Louis Blues’ Torey Krug, whose ankle surgery is expected to keep him out until the 2025-26 season. This long-term loss forces the Blues to rethink their defensive strategies and depth options as they push through the current season.
Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane is eyeing a return in February 2025 after undergoing hip and hernia surgeries, while Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs is also projected to return around the same time following knee surgery. Los Angeles Kings’ veteran defenseman Drew Doughty is facing an unspecified length of absence, adding a significant gap in their defensive core.
These injuries across the league highlight the demanding nature of the NHL season, where physical strain can swiftly alter a team’s trajectory. As teams adjust to these losses, they rely on depth players to maintain competitiveness, underlining the cliché that hockey is very much a next-man-up sport.
The resilience of NHL teams will undoubtedly be tested as they shuffle line-ups and strategies to compensate for these key absences, all while keeping their eyes on the ultimate goal: a run for the Stanley Cup come spring.