Bad news came out of New Jersey's camp on Thursday morning as they announced their star 21-year-old defender Luke Hughes suffered a left-shoulder injury during offseason training and is expected to miss the next 6-to-8 weeks as he recovers. The sophomore defenseman is expected to return between October 24th and November 7th and will play a key role in the Devils' back end. In 2023-24, he had nine goals, 47 points, 135 SOG, 28 PIMs and a -25 plus/minus in 82 games played.
Anaheim's goaltending depth was dealt a tough blow on Thursday as it was announced that Tomas Suchanek would miss the next six to eight months after successfully undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured ACL. The 21-year-old Czech netminder was expected to compete for the starting job in San Diego (AHL) this season after posting a 14-10-5 record, 910 SV% and 2.92 GAA in 29 games with the Gulls in 2023-24.
Anaheim was dealt a tough pre-training camp blow on Thursday as Beckett Sennecke announced he would be out for 6-to-8 weeks after suffering a foot fracture during off-season training. The 18-year-old right-wing prospect was Anaheim's 2024 1st-round selection (3rd overall) and was expected to compete for a roster spot in training camp prior to the injury. In 63 games with Oshawa (OHL) in 2023-24, he had 27 goals and 68 points.
Canucks' fans received some excellent news on Tuesday as their star goaltender Thatcher Demko returned to the ice and is skating and working out with indications of being healthy for training camp. Demko was originally expected to miss the beginning of training camp as his offseason recovery was taking longer than expected but that news has been flipped with his return Tuesday. The 28-year-old was key in Vancouver's success last season, with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV% and 5 shutouts.
Krug will undergo surgery to address pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle, which will force him to miss the 2024-25 season. According to the Blues, "the decision to undergo surgery was reached following an effort to rehabilitate the injury through non-surgical interventions." In an effort to replace Krug in 2024-25, the Blues signed Philip Broberg and Ryan Suter in the offseason.
Carolina was hit with some unfortunate off-season news after forward Jesper Fast was announced out for the entire 2024-25 season after undergoing neck surgery last week. The 32-year-old right-winger was entering his fifth season in Carolina and had six goals and 19 points in 73 games played while occupying Carolina's bottom six in 2023-24.
According to Latvian General Manager Rudolfs Kalvitis, Arturs Silovs has knee inflammation from overuse during last season and overtraining during the offseason but is expected to be ready to go for Vancouver's training camp. The 23-year-old netminder signed a two-year, $1.7 million contract in the offseason after posting 5-5-0 record in last year's playoffs to go along with his 2.91 GAA and .898 SV% after only appearing in four regular season games in the regular season.
There is an expectation around the Oilers' camp that 33-year-old Evander Kane will undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury and will likely start the season on the Long-Term Injured Reserve. The bruising right-winger missed the Oilers last five games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an injury that would not allow him to sit on the bench and will look to right the ship after collecting 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games played in 2023-24.
In a bit of an early blow for Montreal, forward Rafael Harvey-Pinard announced Friday that he had successfully underwent surgery for his leg and is expected to miss at least the first four months of the 2024-25 season. The 25-year-old winger set career highs in games played (45) and assists (8) in 2023-24 but had a down year overall with only 10 total points and a -2 plus/minus.
Krug will be evaluated in 6-8 weeks to determine if surgery on his ankle is needed. If he does require surgery he is expected to miss the entire 2024-25 season. The 33-year-old defensemen just completed his 13th NHL season and had four goals, 39 points and a -31 plus/minus in 77 games played in 2023-24.
Norris had successful shoulder surgery in March, but Senators GM Steve Staios expects him to be ready for training camp in the fall. Norris has appeared in just 58 games over the last two seasons, posting 18 goals and 15 assists (33 points).
Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said Edmonton is undecided on whether Kane will play in Game 3 after he missed the majority of the Oilers' practice on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is clearly battling injuries as he has been unable to sit while on the bench and only has one point in his previous nine games played.
Barkov left Game 2 in the second period after a high hit from Leon Draisaitl and had some positive news and signs on Wednesday as he returned to Florida's practice in full. The 28-year-old centre has been the definition of lock-down this offseason and is producing on both ends with his six goals and 19 points in 19 games played. He is expected to be a full go for Game 3 on Thursday in Edmonton.
Barkov left Game 2 in the second period after a high hit from Leon Draisaitl and had some positive news from his head coach Paul Maurice on Tuesday. Maurice announced that the Panthers' captain was progressing and the team will be taking a day-to-day approach as they head into Game 3 on Thursday. A further update should be provided on Wednesday as the team partakes in their regular off-day practices.
Barkov was taken out midway through the second period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals after a high hit from Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl with an upper-body injury and did not return to finish the game. Head Coach Paul Maurice could not provide any updates in his post-game press conference for the Panthers' captain. Florida's next game is Thursday and we expect more updates to trickle out as the Panthers return to practice in the upcoming days.
Kane did not participate in the Oilers' morning skate on Monday ahead of Game 2 which led to some speculation that he may not dress but he has come out himself and stated "I will play". The 32-year-old bruising winger has been battling an undisclosed injury as of late which has led to him only producing one point in his previous eight playoff appearances.