Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

NHL Injury Report

Kevan Miller(RD)|FA
Injury
Injury
Miller (undisclosed) may not be ready for the start of the regular season.

Miller was injured in the Bruins’ preseason finale on Saturday and his status for the start of the regular season is in question. An injury to Miller opens up a spot next to Zdeno Chara, which will likely be filled by Brandon Carlo.

Source:
Joe Haggerty 2016-10-10T20:33:08.000Z
Kevan Miller
Adam McQuaid(RD)|FA
Injury
Injury
McQuaid (undisclosed) may not be ready for the start of the regular season.

McQuaid missed some practice sessions over the weekend with an undisclosed injury and it looks as if he will not be ready for the start of the regular season. McQuaid’s injury leaves the door open for Brandon Carlo and/or Robbie O’Gara to crack the opening night roster.

Source:
Joe Haggerty 2016-10-10T20:31:26.000Z
Adam McQuaid
Brandon Manning(LD)|FA
Injury
Injury
Manning (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the season opener.

Manning has been bothered by a shoulder injury during the preseason, but it looks like he will be ready to play in the Flyers’ season opener. This is good news for Philadelphia, who will be without Michael Del Zotto (lower-body) and Radko Gudas (suspension) for at least the first six games.

Source:
Sam Carchidi 2016-10-10T20:22:34.000Z
Brandon Manning
Oscar Lindberg(C)|
Injury
Injury
Lindberg (hip) was cleared for contact on Monday.

Lindberg continues to recover from offseason hip surgery and was finally able to shed his no-contact jersey on Monday. Lindberg will not be ready for the regular season and remains 2-4 weeks away from being ready to play.

Source:
@NYRangers 2016-10-10T15:41:41.000Z
Oscar Lindberg
Jeff Petry(D)|FA
Injury
Injury
Petry (knee) will not play in the Canadiens’ season opener on Thursday.

Petry suffered a knee injury in Thursday’s preseason game and will miss the start of the regular season. With Petry out, Mikhail Sergachev will make his NHL debut against the Sabres on Thursday. Petry is listed as day-to-day.

Source:
@CanadiensMTL 2016-10-10T15:36:31.000Z
Jeff Petry
Sidney Crosby(C)|PIT
Injury
Injury
Crosby is out with a concussion; no timetable for his return.

It has been a while since we’ve seen Crosby and concussion in the same sentence, but on Friday, Crosby’s old demons returned as he suffered a concussion in practice. It is normal to not have a definitive timetable when someone has a concussion, but it’s even more difficult when someone has had multiple concussions before. The Penguins will take every precaution with their captain, which obviously clouds his availability for the season opener.

Source:
@penguins 2016-10-10T15:27:15.000Z
Sidney Crosby
Carey Price(G)|SJS
Injury
Injury
Price (flu) missed Monday’s practice but will be ready for the season opener on Thursday.

Price is battling the flu just three days prior to the start of the regular season, but he will be ready for the season opener vs. the Sabres. Price is coming off of an injury ruined season, but looked terrific in the World Cup of Hockey and enters 2016-17 as a top-3 fantasy netminder. Make sure he is in your lineups on Thursday.

Source:
Renaud Lavoie 2016-10-10T15:25:37.000Z
Carey Price
Jonathan Huberdeau(LW)|CGY
Injury
Injury
Huberdeau will miss 3-4 months with a lower-leg injury.

Huberdeau was coming into 2016-17 with massive expectations after a career-year last season. His injury will keep him out until at least January and opens the door for younger players like Jonathan Marchessault, who moved to the top line following Huberdeau's injury on Saturday.

Source:
David Dwork 2016-10-09T13:27:42.000Z
Jonathan Huberdeau
Mikko Rantanen(RW)|DAL
Injury
Injury
Rantanen (ankle) returned to practice on Saturday.

Rantanen returned in a no-contact jersey, but it was his first practice session since he suffered an ankle injury in a rookie showcase back on September 17th. Rantanen is expected to have a secured spot with the Avalanche this season and is targeting a return for their season opener next Saturday.

Source:
Terry Frei 2016-10-09T11:17:38.000Z
Mikko Rantanen
Bryan Rust(RW)|PIT
Injury
Injury
Rust (undisclosed) still yet to return to practice; unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Rust, 24, had a nice playoff run last year picking up nine points (6G / 3A) in 23 games on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. With Rust unlikely available for the start of the season, that leaves the door open for Scott Wilson to start the year with Malkin.

Source:
Jonathan Bombulie 2016-10-09T11:06:35.000Z
Bryan Rust
Jonathan Huberdeau(LW)|CGY
Injury
Injury
Huberdeau will miss the start of the regular season with a lower-leg injury.

Huberdeau was injured in Saturday’s preseason game against the Devils when the skate of Sergey Kalinin came down on Huberdeau’s ankle. Huberdeau had to be stitched up and is expected to undergo an MRI on Sunday. The 23-year-old winger was spotted in a walking boot and all signs point towards this being a serious injury. This would be a huge blow to the Panthers’ forward group, that is already missing Nick Bjugstad.

Source:
George Richards 2016-10-09T10:35:04.000Z
Jonathan Huberdeau
Kevin Connauton(D)|FA
Injury
Injury
Connauton (lower-body) has resumed practicing with the team and could be ready for the season opener.

Connauton is dealing with what is believed to be a knee injury. He returned to practice recently, but no decision has been made on his availability for the season opener. Connauton is expected to play on the left side of the Coyotes’ third pairing.

Source:
Sarah McLellan 2016-10-09T10:20:49.000Z
Kevin Connauton
Michael Stone(RD)|FA
Injury
Injury
Stone (knee) has been cleared for contact; but likely won’t be ready for the Coyotes’ seasons opener.

Stone continues to work his way back from knee surgery on his left knee to repair his ACL and MCL and head coach Dave Tippett said that a return in time for Saturday’s opener may be “a little aggressive.” Stone is expected to slot in on the Coyotes’ second pair alongside Alex Goligoski, but look for Luke Schenn to play there if Stone misses the first few games.

Source:
Sarah McLellan 2016-10-09T10:19:05.000Z
Michael Stone
Joel Ward(RW)|
Injury
Injury
Ward (lower-body) will not play in the final two preseason games; but expected to be ready for the season opener.

It appears as if keeping Ward out of the final two preseason games is just a precaution so that he is ready for the start of the regular season. Ward is coming off of a 43-point (21G / 22A) year in his debut season with the Sharks.

Source:
Kevin Kurz 2016-10-07T18:58:52.000Z
Joel Ward
Ales Hemsky(RW)|
Injury
Injury
Hemsky (groin) suffered a setback and may not be ready for the season opener.

Hemsky has been battling a groin injury throughout training camp, but he was expected to return to the ice on Thursday. His setback held him off of the ice and could keep him out of the season opener. With Hemsky battling injury, the Stars signed Justin Fontaine to a professional tryout.

Source:
Mike Heika 2016-10-07T18:18:05.000Z
Ales Hemsky

NHL Injury Report

Daily Faceoff NHL injury report compiles all of the reported injuries from across the National Hockey League so you can see who is set to be sidelined, what their injury is, and how long they are expect to be out of commission. Injury updates are some of the most important NHL player news for any hockey fan to stay on top of, as winning or losing can ultimately be decided by the absence of a key player from within a team’s lineup. If you’re an avid hockey bettor, it’s crucial to your betting success that you stay informed on the latest injury news. Check out the latest NHL injury report on this page and see who’s set to miss some time this NHL season.

Reading the NHL Injury Report

The daily NHL injury report provides you with information regarding the type of injury a player is suffering from, the severity of it, as well as the timeline for their potential return. Common injury designations are day-to-day (almost fully healthy) out (not healthy, but not a long-term issue), and injured reserve/long-term injured reserve (out for an extended period of time).

Along with our regularly updated NHL injury report, you can also stay in the know regarding NHL injuries through team reporters/beat writers, social media channels and journalists, as well as official site reports from the NHL or their respective clubs.

Common NHL Injuries

In a physical sport such as hockey, injuries are a necessary evil as the toll it takes on each player’s body builds up over the course of an entire season. With the speed the game is played at the NHL level, it is common place for various injures to occur on a game-to-game basis. Whether it’s from a hard hit, inadvertent contact from a stick, or even being pelted by a blocked shot or deflected puck, it can be nearly impossible to avoid getting banged up over the course of an NHL contest.

Unlike many other professional sports leagues across the globe, the NHL tends to keep injury details close to the vest, reporting injury designations as either an upper body injury or lower body injury after players undergo tests. Below we’ll dive into some of the most common injuries that occur across the NHL, how they can affect players, and how long these injuries can sideline them from action.

Upper Body Injuries

Upper body injuries encompass all injuries that occur from the waist and up which includes the torso, arms, back, as well as the head. Common upper body injuries include shoulder dislocation, clavicle fractures, and broken/sprained wrists. An upper body injury could happen in a number of ways.

One of the most common and severe injuries that occurs across the NHL are concussions. Concussions are caused when the brain bounces or twists within the skull. This can be caused in a number of ways in hockey, generally from a hard impact whether that’s against another players body, the ice, or the boards. Recovery timelines for concussions vary from case-to-case with some players suffering mild effects and clearing protocol within a few weeks, to drastic scenarios where a player could miss the remainder of the season.

Lower Body Injuries

While players are often able to play through upper body injuries, a lower body injury can force a player to miss an extended amount of ice time depending on the location and severity of the issue. Lower body injuries encompass all issues from the waist down.

With so many pivotal muscle groups found within the lower body, these types of injuries often leave athletes unable to practice, let alone compete. Arguably the worst lower body injury a player can experience is a knee injury. From ACL tears, to MCL strains, or even broken patellas, there a numerous key ligaments and muscles, within the knee that are essential to a hockey players ability to hit the ice. Severe injuries to the knee can lead to lengthy absences from the lineup as well as a host of potential issues down the line of a players career if not successfully rehabbed. Other common lower body injuries in hockey include hip pointers, groin strains, and sprained/broken ankles.

Reserve Lists

In the NHL, players are often moved in and out of the lineup due to injury but when an issue occurs in which a player is set to miss an extended period of time, they must be placed under the official designation of the injured reserve list. NHL teams utilize reserve lists as a way to provide injured players time to recover from their physical ailments, as well as to free up space within their active roster to replace the output of their missing player.

There are two versions of reserve lists in the NHL, the injured reserve list (IR) and the long term injured reserve list (LTIR). Each reserve list holds their own distinctions for players to qualify, as well as how teams are able to replace members of the roster when they are forced to send an injured athlete to an injury reserve list. Below are the key differences between each reserve list and how an injured player can find themselves placed there in a season.

Injured Reserve List

The injured reserve list (IR) is for any player who is set to miss seven calendar days or more due to injury, disablement or illness is designated. Once a player is sent to injured reserve they must spend at least seven calendar days out of the teams lineup, but is still able to attend practices, team meetings, as well as travel with their team. Players are eligible to stay on the injured reserve until they are cleared by their team medical staff as ready and fit to return to competition…. When a player is sent to the injured reserve list, clubs are able to call up players from their roster to replace them whether that is from a scratched member of their main roster, a call up from the minors (AHL/ECHL), or by signing a free agent (cap space permitting).

Long Term Injured Reserve List

Similar to the injured reserve list, the long term injured reserve list (LTIR) is designed for teams to make up for severe injuries that have occurred to a player during the season. A player can be placed on the LTIR if they have been evaluated by medical staff and are ruled out of action for a minimum of 24 calendar days or 10 NHL games. Players often spend a much longer time on this reserve list once they are placed there due to the nature and severity of their injuries.

One major difference between the IR and the LTIR is the ability to circumvent the salary cap. When a player is placed on the LTIR, teams are able to pull from what is referred to as the “LTIR Pool”. The LTIR pool is the amount in which a team is granted in cap space after a player has been assigned to the LTIR. This amount is determined by subtracting the total amount of cap space remaining for a team from the affected player’s salary cap hit for the season. The amount given in the LTIR pool is also dependent on whether a team is under or over the salary cap at the beginning of the regular season.

For example, if a player who has a $2 million annual cap hit is placed on the LTIR and their team was under the salary cap by $500K, they would deduct the $500K in remaining cap space from the player’s annual salary hit, leaving the team with $1.5M to spend on replacements for their injured player.

However, if a team is over the salary cap to begin the regular season the LTIR pool is divided differently. In this case whatever the value of the overage in salary cap is at the start of the season will be the LTIR pool funds available for a club. For example, if a team is over the salary cap by $1 million, and a player with a $5 million cap hit is placed on the LTIR, their LTIR pool is valued at $1M as that is the amount they were over the cap to begin the season.

When a player is removed from the LTIR, the team must be under the annual salary cap hit on that day.

Considering Injuries When Placing NHL Bets

Considering injuries when placing NHL bets is incredibly important. By staying informed about the latest injury news heading into a matchup, you can better formulate how a matchup may play out based on the personnel available for action. Here’s how you can use the NHL injury report to influence your next bet and help give you a knowledgeable boost on all your wagers placed on tonight’s clashes.

Moneyline and Puck Line Bets

When placing a moneyline or puck line bet, knowing who is suiting up for action can make or break your chances of winning your wager. It only takes the absence of one player to shift the lines and change the outcome of the game. By waiting for the latest injury report prior to puck drop, bettors can make informed decisions before throwing down a wager on an upcoming matchup.

For example, if the New Jersey Devils are set to play the Columbus Blue Jackets but Jack Hughes is out due to injury, you may not want to back the Devils on the moneyline. Instead, you can use this information to reevaluate where the best value is on the adjusted moneyline and puck line for this contest.

Goal Total Bets

Each team relies heavily on their top goal-scorers to produce on a nightly-basis. If one of these performers is sidelined due to injury this could majorly effect the final score of the game. For example, if Minnesota Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov is out of action due to injury heading into a contest against the New York Islanders, you could use this information to your advantage by betting the Under on the matchup due to the elite goal-scorer’s absence.

The same can be said inversely about a team’s goaltending. If the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to be without superstar netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy in their clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, it may be in your best interest to bet the Over as his backup may not be able to handle the oppositions high-powered offence.

Prop Bets

Player injuries are also a prevalent factor to take into account before placing a prop bet on a matchup. If a team is without some of their top line players, it can leave the door open for someone lower in the depth chart to step up in their place.

For example, if The Ottawa Senators are taking on the San Jose Sharks, but Brady Tkachuk is listed as out on the latest injury report, other members of the Senators may be due for an increase in output as they look to make up for the void in production left by their team captain.

Futures Odds

While you don’t need a crystal ball to place a successful futures bet, knowing the latest injury news for each team can make a positive impact on your bets potential success. The NHL regular season is a vigorous journey that takes a heavy toll on the bodies of the athletes competing, and can sometimes lead to key members of a roster winding up on the injured reserve as a result. If a team does end up with an injury to one of their top players, this could completely derail their hopes of competing into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For example, if Colorado Avalanche superstar forward Nathan Mackinnon suffers a season-ending injury just before the All-Star break, you can expect to see their Stanley Cup future odds drop drastically as their best player is put on the shelf. On the other hand, you can also expect to see the ripple effects of this change in odds as other top contenders see their Stanley Cup odds increase as the competition among the top of the league is dropped.

NHL Injury Report FAQs

How often does the NHL injury report get updated?

The NHL injury report is updated daily so that you can see the latest injury news ahead of puck drop in any of today’s matchups. Seeing timely updates to the NHL injury report can make a major impact on your daily fantasy sports picks and wagers on a particular game. All information provided on the NHL injury report is provided directly by the NHL and each respective franchise to ensure accuracy.

How long can a player stay on the injured reserve list?

While the minimum amount of time spent on the injured reserve list is seven calendar days, there is no maximum amount of time that a player can be placed on the injured reserve list. If a player is set to be sidelined for longer than 24 calendar days or 10 NHL games, then a club may opt to place them on the long-term injured reserve instead. This allows franchises with the ability to exceed the salary cap while a player is placed on this reserve list.

How long does it take to recover from an ice hockey injury?

No injury recovery timeline is the same as another as there are several factors that go into the rehab process for a player being affected by injury. Factors include but are not limited to, injury severity, player injury/medical history, age, as well as the location of the injury. Some injuries are able to clear up in a matter of days, while others may take an athlete out of action for the entirety of a season.