Rinne (hip) skated with goalie coach Mitch Korn this afternoon.
This is a great sign for the Predators and Rinne, but he remains without a timeline for now.
NHL Injury Report
Injury
Koivu will miss the Olympics with a broken ankle.
The Wild captain, who was expected to captain Finland underwent surgery on a broken ankle Jan. 6 after being hit by a dump-in off the stick of Washington's Nicklas Backstrom two days before. The normal course of recovery for this type of injury is six to eight weeks. Koivu underwent surgery in an attempt to accelerate his return to the Wild lineup. Monday will be five weeks from surgery. Team Finland also lost Valteri Filppula today, so they will announce two replacements shortly.
Letang will miss at least six weeks after having a stroke last week.
The condition is treatable with blood thinners and at this point is not believed to be career threatening. Further testing also revealed that Letang, 26, has had a very small hole in the wall of his heart since birth. This small defect in the wall is present in all individuals before birth but seals shut in most people. It is possible that the hole in the heart led to the stroke. “The most important thing right now, of course, is Kris’ health,” GM Ray Shero said. “We’re not thinking about hockey right now. We want to make sure he gets the best possible care and gets better. After six weeks of treatment, doctors will re-evaluate Kris.”
Filppula will the Olympics with a non-displaced fracture in his right hand.
Filppula was set to play for Team Finland in Sochi, but the fractured hand will have him sidelined for three weeks. He played just 14:48 before retiring to the dressing room for the remainder of Thursday's loss to the Maple Leafs.
Bishop (upper-body) is not on the ice with the Lightning this morning.
Bishop left Thursday's contest after the second period with an upper-body injury. This is the second time in a week that Bishop has been unable to finish a game due to injury. The last time he had a head injury, but played two days later. With the Olympic break on the horizon, don't be shocked to see Cedrick Desjardins start Saturday vs. the Red Wings.
Injury
Neuvirth will not start tonight because of the flu.
Neuvirth was slated to start for the Capitals tonight vs. Winnipeg, but came down with the flu and will now turn the starting duties over the Braden Holtby.
Injury
Henrik Sedin will not play in the Sochi Winter Olympics, according to a Swedish press report.
The Vancouver Canucks captain has been dealing with a suspected rib injury and team coach John Tortorella said on Thursday morning that Sedin would not play against the Canadiens in Montreal on Thursday night nor against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday. The Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet report said Thursday afternoon that Sedin is definitely out, quoting the Canuck directly. It is a blow for Sweden, a medal contender, given that Sedin had been set to centre the country’s top line, with his twin brother Daniel and Boston Bruins forward Loui Eriksson.
Gaborik (collarbone) will not play for Slovakia in Sochi.
Gaborik was named to the Slovakian roster even though he had a broken collarbone, which he suffered on Dec. 21, and on Thursday the organization said that doctors still haven't cleared Gaborik to play. "I'm extremely disappointed that I won't be able to play for Slovakia at the Olympic Games but understand the decision is the right one for my recovery and for the national team," said Gaborik. "I have been lucky and proud to represent my country at two Olympic Games."
Richardson (undisclosed) will be back in the Canucks lineup tonight.
Richardson missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. With Henrik Sedin out once again, Richardson could be asked to play a larger role. He has 17 points (8G / 9A) and was playing an average of 17:49 while Sedin was out originally.
Injury
Higgins (undisclosed) will be back in the Canucks lineup tonight.
Higgins missed Tuesday's game in Boston with an undisclosed injury, but will return tonight in Montreal. Higgins has been on of the Canucks most consistent offensive producers this season. He has totalled 31 points (15G / 16A) in 56 games.
Tarasenko has the flu and is doubtful tonight.
Tarasenko has not been completely ruled out, but it does not sound like he will play. With the Olympics on the horizon and Tarasenko playing for Russia, it will be no surprise if he is held out. Dmitrij Jaskin will slide into the lineup for Tarasenko.
Injury
Sedin (ribs/finger) will not play in the final two games before the Olympic break.
Sedin returned to the Canucks lineup on Monday in Detroit after missing the previous six games. Sedin also played on Tuesday in Boston, both nights he played more than 20 minutes, but was held off of the scoresheet. "We are shutting Henrik down for next 2 games. He wants to play, but he's not as effective as we need him to be right now," said Canucks head coach John Tortorella.
Injury
Green (concussion) said he felt better today but he hasn’t been cleared to return yet.
Green will miss his fourth consecutive game and it looks more and more like he will not be back until after the Olympics. WIth Green out, Julien Brouillette will make his NHL debut tonight.
Timonen (foot) will play tonight.
Timonen missed the last two games with a foot injury, but will return to the lineup toning vs. Colorado. He will play alongside Brayden Coburn and also man the point on the top power-play unit. He has two goals and 17 assists (19 points) in 55 games this season.
Injury
Backstrom will not dress tonight because of an abdominal injury.
This season has been a struggle for Backstrom. He has not played well and he has had to deal with multiple injuries throughout the first four months of the season. Johan Gustafsson has been recalled and will serve as Darcy Kuemper's back-up. Backstrom will likely be held out until after the Olympic break.
Injury
Datsyuk (groin) will play tonight.
Datsyuk has not played since the Winter Classic on January 1st. The Red Wings are slowly starting to get healthy and they are still sitting in the last WIld Card spot in the East despite playing most of January with an AHL dominant roster. Datsyuk will centre a line with Darren Helm and Daniel Alfredsson tonight in Florida.
Timonen (foot) appears to be back in the Flyers lineup tonight.
Timonen is skating on a regular D-pair with Brayden Coburn and participating with the top-unit in power-play drills, all signs pointing towards him returning. With the Olympics just a few days away, Timonen wants to get a few games in before heading to Sochi to represent Finland for the fourth time. Andrej Meszaros will sit with Timonen coming back.
Cullen (upper-body) could return to the Predators lineup on Thursday.
Cullen has missed the last four games, but the Preds have been off since Saturday, ginning Cullen ample time to heal. Through 53 games this season, the 37-year-old playmaking centre has five goals and 17 assists.
Phillips (undisclosed) will not play tonight.
Phillips will miss his sixth straight game tonight. He skated on his own in a track suit this morning, but did not join the team for the official morning skate, so he will not play vs. the Sabres tonight.
Injury
Green (concussion) is on the ice for the Capitals morning skate.
This suggests that Green could play tonight, but after the Capitals recalled two defensemen this morning, that seems unlikely. Green will likely be held out until after the Olympics, as reported on Tuesday. If he plays tonight, we will update you.
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.