Here's the latest injury news from across the NHL! If you're looking for information about a specific player and don't see their name in this article, there probably haven't been any significant updates about their progress since our last article. If you ever need injury updates for a specific player, shoot me a message on Twitter @BrennanDeSouza.

Jakob Chychrun – It sounds like an upper-body injury will keep the Coyotes defenseman sidelined until the second or third week of January.

Alex Tuch – Five months removed from shoulder surgery, Tuch is expected to make his season debut against the Devils on Wednesday.

Craig Anderson – The Sabres netminder is out month-to-month with an upper-body injury that's kept him sidelined since early November. He was on the ice facing shots last week, but there's no concrete timetable for his return.

Martin Necas – Entered concussion protocol after taking a hit during a game against the Kings on December 18^th. He was a full participant in practice on Sunday and Wednesday, so I'd expect he'll be available against the Habs on Thursday.

Gabriel Landeskog – Colorado's captain has been a full participant in recent practices and should be available for the team's next game, against Anaheim on Sunday. He had been out with a lower-body injury since December 10^th.

Bowen Byram – The Avalanche defenseman has been sidelined with some head-related issues. He has been skating recently and looked like a full participant in recent practices despite wearing a non-contact sweater. Byram could be an option for Colorado's next game, scheduled for Sunday against the Ducks.

Jakub Voracek – The Blue Jackets forward is day-to-day with an injury. The good news is he was on the ice for Tuesday's practice and hasn't yet been ruled out of Thursday's clash with Nashville.

Adam Boqvist – An upper-body injury kept Boqvist out of Columbus' last three games but he's been practicing recently and feels ready to go. I expect he'll be available against Nashville on Thursday.

Patrik Laine – On November 5^th, Columbus announced that Laine was expected to miss four to six weeks with an oblique strain. That timetable ran its course a couple weeks ago, but the rehab process was complicated because there weren't many opportunities for Laine to skate. He had been with family in Finland because his father passed away, then the holiday break + COVID postponements interrupted things once he returned to Columbus. Based on all this, it makes sense that coach Brad Larsen wants to be cautious with the winger's return. Laine practiced on Sunday and Monday, feeling ready to go after Monday's practice. However, he skated as an extra during Wednesday's practice, which suggests he won't be available for Thursday's game against Nashville.

Mike Smith – The Oilers netminder will start against the Blues on Wednesday night. A lower-body injury kept him sidelined for the past two months.

Aleksander Barkov – Florida's captain is expected to play against the Rangers on Wednesday night. He had been dealing with an upper-body injury.

Alexander Edler – The Kings defenseman was recently placed on long term injured reserve with a left-ankle fracture. He'll have to miss at least 10 games and 24 days (from December 11^th) as a result of the transaction, so he won't be back any time soon.

Joel Eriksson Ek – The talented two-way center is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury that sounds serious. GM Bill Guerin didn't reveal whether Eriksson Ek needs surgery, or how long he's expected to be out, but it does sound like it'll be a while. He definitely won't be available for the Winter Classic on January 1^st.

Jared Spurgeon – A lower-body injury will keep Minnesota's captain out of the Winter Classic on January 1^st. He hasn't been skating recently and there's no official timetable for his return.

Josh Anderson – Will be sidelined for about five more weeks because of an upper-body injury.

Matt Duchene – Nashville's forwardwill return to the lineup on Wednesday night to face the Capitals. After an incredibly disappointing showing last season, Duchene has bounced back with 25 points in 26 games this year.

Kyle Palmieri – Is dealing with a lower-body injury and while he's been skating on his own, he hasn't practiced recently. I don't expect he'll be available against the Sabres on Thursday.

Ryan Pulock – On November 17^th, the Islanders announced that Pulock would be sidelined for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. That timetable has run its course, but it doesn't sound like Pulock is ready to return just yet. He's been skating on his own and feels better, but hasn't practiced with the team. I don't expect he'll be in the lineup for Thursday's game against Buffalo.

Jake Guentzel – Has been a full participant in recent practices and feels ready to return. The team will have to see how he feels over the next few days, but I'd expect Guentzel to be in the lineup for Pittsburgh's next game, against the Sharks on Sunday. He's been sidelined week-to-week because of a small fracture in his hand.

Evgeni Malkin – Has been a full participant in recent practices and was skating in his usual spot as second-line center during Wednesday's skate. Malkin said his knee feels 200% stronger after offseason surgery and he wants to play for another three or four years. He also said he wouldn't play against the Sharks on Sunday, but hopes to make his return within the next week or so.  

Bryan Rust – Was a full participant in Pittsburgh's last few practices and should be back in the lineup on Sunday against San Jose. A lower-body injury has kept Rust out of the lineup since November 24^th.

Jason Zucker – Is out week-to-week with a nagging lower-body injury.

Brandon Tanev – Suffered an ACL injury against the Oilers on December 18^th and will be sidelined for the rest of the season while he recovers from surgery.

Jordan Kyrou – Will face the Oilers on Wednesday night. Kyrou has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since December 11^th.

Robert Thomas – Will face the Oilers on Wednesday. The Blues forward has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since December 4^th.

David Perron – Will face Edmonton on Wednesday night. He's been sidelined with an upper-body injury since November 26^th.

Brayden Schenn – Is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, unrelated to the one that kept him out earlier this season. He's been practicing recently, but isn't ready to face the Oilers on Wednesday.

Erik Cernak – Tampa's defenseman hasn't been skating recently and remains week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Nikita Kucherov – Has been practicing with the team frequently over the past few weeks but isn't quite skating at full intensity just yet. The superstar winger underwent surgery on October 26^th, which came with an eight to 10 week recovery timeline. We have another week left in that timetable, but I wouldn't be surprised if his return is delayed slightly to ensure he's at 100-percent.

Mitch Marner – Has been practicing recently and hopes to be ready for Toronto's next game, which is currently scheduled for January 1^st. He's been out with a shoulder injury since December 1^st.

Alec Martinez – In late November, we learned Martinez was dealing with a head injury. The team doesn't have a projected date for his return but it sounds like Martinez made some encouraging progress over the past few weeks and should get back on the ice in the next few days. 

Mark Stone – On Tuesday, Stone was placed on Injured Reserve. As such, he'll be sidelined for at least a week. He was a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Kings, but Vegas hasn't revealed much else about the nature of his injury.

Robin Lehner – Is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's tilt against LA, which suggests the injury isn't too serious. With that being said, this injury has kept him sidelined for a week now, so it's not exactly minor.

Nolan Patrick – Has been a full participant in practice recently and it sounds like he's nearing a return. Patrick has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since October 22^nd.

NHL's COVID-19 Protocol List

Over the past few weeks, many players have been placed in COVID protocol. There isn't really much information available for each case, so I've simply listed the date that each player entered protocol. In the past, players stayed sidelined for about 10 days, but the league and player's association agreed to let vaccinated individuals leave isolation five days after a positive COVID test, if they have no symptoms or if symptoms are resolving. That early exit is only possibly if allowed by local health authorities, which means players on certain teams may have to stay out longer than others. We should learn more about these changes in the coming days.

Below is a list of fantasy-relevant players currently sidelined due to COVID.

Max Comtois – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Trevor Zegras – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 28^th.

Charlie Coyle – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Dylan Cozens – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th. Reports indicate he's asymptomatic.

Jeff Skinner – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Frederik Andersen – Entered COVID protocol on December 22^nd.

Marc-Andre Fleury – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Pavel Francouz – Tested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on January 5^th.

Mikko Rantanen – Tested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on December 31^st.

Logan O'Connor – Tested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on December 30^th.

Oliver Bjorkstrand – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Joonas Korpisalo – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 20^th.

Jamie Benn – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 29^th.

Ryan Suter – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 29^th.

Roope Hintz – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Esa Lindell – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Miro Heiskanen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Jason Robertson – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Nick Leddy – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Lucas Raymond – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Zack Kassian – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Darnell Nurse – Entered COVID protocol on December 20^th.

Jesse Puljujarvi – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 18^th. His mandatory 10-day quarantine should be done before Edmonton's next game, scheduled for Wednesday against the Blues.

Jonathan Huberdeau – The Panthers winger was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th but participated in Wednesday's morning skate – which suggests he's no longer in protocol. Huberdeau is expected to play against the Rangers on Wednesday night.

Dustin Brown – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Quinton Byfield – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Phillip Danault – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 19^th. He should be out of protocol before LA's next game, scheduled for Thursday against the Canucks.

Cal Petersen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 18^th. He should be out of protocol before the Kings' next game – against Vancouver on Thursday.

Jonas Brodin – Entered COVID protocol on December 28^th.

Jake Allen – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Jeff Petry – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Joel Edmundson – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Ben Chiarot – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Mike Hoffman – Entered COVID protocol on December 20^th.

Roman Josi – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Colton Sissons – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Tomas Tatar – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Brock Nelson – Entered COVID protocol on December 28^th.

Anthony Beauvillier – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Oliver Wahlstrom – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Cal Clutterbuck – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Alexandar Georgiev – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Ryan Lindgren – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Anton Forsberg – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th. He didn't participate in Monday's practice as a result of a recent close contact.

Carter Hart – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Derick Brassard – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Scott Laughton – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Sean Couturier – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Ryan Ellis – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th. He's also week-to-week with a lower-body injury that's kept him out since November 13^th.

Tristan Jarry – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

John Marino – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Evan Rodrigues – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Teddy Blueger – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Kasperi Kapanen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 29^th.

Adin Hill – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Jonathan Dahlen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Vince Dunn – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Adam Larsson – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 20^th.

Ivan Barbashev – Tested positive for COVID-19 on December 23^rd.

Anthony Cirelli – Entered COVID protocol on December 27^th.

Andrei Vasilevskiy – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Brian Elliot – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Mikhail Sergachev – Entered COVID protocol on December 26^th.

Jake Muzzin – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 26^th.

William Nylander – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 24^th.

Morgan Rielly – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 23^rd.

Petr Mrazek – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Ilya Mikheyev – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Rasmus Sandin – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Alex Pietrangelo – Entered COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Evgenii Dadonov – Entered COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Vitek Vanecek – Entered COVID protocol on December 24^th.

Martin Fehervary – Entered COVID protocol on December 24^th.

Nick Jensen – Entered COVID protocol on December 23^rd.

Daniel Sprong – Entered COVID protocol on December 21^st.

Justin Schultz – Entered COVID protocol on December 21^st.

T.J. Oshie – Entered COVID protocol on December 19^th. It sounds like he's been released from protocol as he was on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate. As I write this, his status for Wednesday's game against Nashville remains up in the air.

Andrew Copp – Entered COVID protocol on December 23^rd.

.