We’re amidst the Christmas break in the NHL, which means teams are spending more time with family and less time updating us on their injured players. So even though we all want to know when the likes of P.K. Subban and Rickard Rakell will be back, the reality is that there isn’t much information out right now. We’ll probably receive many more updates on Thursday, as teams get back on the ice. If you want to see those updates as soon as they come out, follow me on Twitter @BrennanDeSouza.  

Jake DeBrusk – Could be back in the lineup on Thursday when the Bruins take on the Devils.

Zdeno Chara – There’s a chance he’ll be back in the lineup on Thursday against New Jersey.

Jordan Staal – On December 20th, Staal returned to the lineup after missing five games with a concussion. In his very next game – December 22nd against the Penguins – he suffered yet another head injury. While it hasn’t been confirmed that this is also a concussion, the team is understandably going to be careful with Staal’s recovery, bearing in mind his recent history.

Semyon Varlamov – An illness prevented him from starting on Saturday against the Coyotes. Considering the holiday break had given him a few days to rest, I’d expect him to be available on Thursday when Colorado takes on Vegas.

Kris Russell – It’s likely he returns on Thursday when the Oilers take on the Canucks.

Andrej Sekera – Although he’s still weeks away from a return, he participated in practice last week. He should get sent down to the AHL for a conditioning stint in the next few weeks, and when he does, his return will be just around the corner.

Alec Martinez – GM Rob Blake revealed that the Kings’ defenseman will be out for a couple more weeks with an upper-body injury.

Matt Dumba – Will be out for “a significant time” after undergoing surgery for an upper-body injury. Dumba’s 12 goals this season are second only to Morgan Rielly who has 13, but Rielly played five more games to get that extra goal. It’ll be difficult for the Wild to replace Dumba’s production from the blueline but keep an eye out to see if anyone is able to step up in his absence.

Colton Sissons – Appeared to roll his right ankle after a collision with Duncan Keith on December 18th, and was spotted wearing a protective boot on his right foot after the game. It sounds like the injury will keep Sissons out of the lineup for a number of games.

Viktor Arvidsson – We’re now about six weeks into the original six-to-eight-week timetable for the healing of Arvidsson’s broken thumb. He has been skating, so expect him to return soon. Arvidsson had 13 points in 13 games prior to the injury, and will provide a big boost to Nashville’s offense when he returns.

Craig Anderson – The team hopes to see him return from an upper-body injury in one of the two games they’ll play back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. We’re well aware that Ottawa isn’t a good team this season, but Anderson has been a part of the little success they have had. He sports a 14-13-3 record, meaning he’s been in net for 14 of the team’s 15 wins.

Jamie Oleksiak – Is dealing with a concussion that he seemed to suffer on December 19th

during a fight with Tom Wilson. Concussions can be extremely unpredictable so it’s tough to say exactly when Oleksiak will return. Let’s just wish him a speedy recovery!

Zach Hyman – An ankle sprain will keep the Leafs’ forward out of the lineup for the next three weeks. It appears Andreas Johnsson will take Hyman’s place beside John Tavares and Mitch Marner.

Max Pacioretty – The lower-body injury he’s dealing with isn’t expected to keep him out too long. Brandon Pirri was called up to skate alongside Paul Stastny and Alex Tuch in Pacioretty’s absence. Pirri posted an impressive four points in three games but has since been sent back down to the AHL.

Adam Lowry – Should return from an upper-body injury on Thursday when the Jets host the Flames.