Welcome to another year of the Injury Ward. Here you will find the latest NHL injury updates with a focus on fantasy-relevant news and also which players may benefit from these situations. My name is Blake Creamer and I will be tackling this topic every single week. I want this article to work for you, so if there are players you want to see, or anything you want added, please reach out to me on Twitter/X @BlakeCreamerAG. Now, let's get to business.

Juuse Saros – News broke today that the 29-year-old Finnish netminder is currently sidelined with a lower-body-injury. This isn't a great start for the perennial vezina but he still hasn't been ruled out for opening night as per head coach, Andrew Brunette. If he ultimately isn't able to go, Scott Wedgewood will be your huckleberry for the Predators first game on Thursday. Saros himself downplayed the injury saying it was "nothing crazy" as reported by Preds beat reporter, Alex Daugherty.

Saros is coming off of another solid season going 35-24-5 in 64 games and he is one of the last true workhorses at the goalie position. Expect an update closer to puck drop on Thursday.

"The Juice Tiger" Juuse Saros

JJ Peterka/Zach Benson – There was some positive news for the Buffalo Sabres after going 0-2 to start their campaign as it looks like JJ Peterka and youngster Zach Benson could both be back in the lineup for the Sabres upcoming game on Thursday. Peterka took a hard hit from mega-beefer Brendan Dillon in game two of the NHL Global series in Prague and was unable to finish the contest. "The Butler" Zach Benson is nursing a lower-body-injury that kept him out of the second half of Buffalo's back-to-back as well. Both players took part in Wednesday's practice and are trending towards playing on Thursday. Head coach Lindy Ruff, mentioned that they both had a good day and decisions will be made after Thursday's morning skate. Peterka has landed a spot on the top line and power play with Buffalo and if he is unable to play, look at Jordan Greenway to move up the lineup and receive a slight boost. 

Bryan Rust – The Pens rugged winger last played on October 1st in a preseason game where he suffered a lower-body injury. It's been slow going in terms of his recovery and he will miss the team's season opener on Wednesday against the Rangers. He has been placed on the IR retroactively so he will be able to be activated whenever he receives a bill of good health. Look for journeyman Anthony Beauvillier to move up to the top line with Sidney Crosby and Drew O' Connor. Rickard Rakell and Kris Letang will see power play one time with Letang the likely candidate to move to the second unit when Rust returns. 

"RUSTY!!!!"

Joseph Woll – The hits keep coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their much-maligned goalie situation. Expected number one, Joseph Woll will be unable to suit up for the season opener on Wednesday with what coach Craig Berube described as " lower-body tightness". Recently signed Anothony Stolarz, will get the nod but Berube wouldn't rule out Woll starting on Thursday against the Devils. Stolarz is likely drafted already in your league, but if not, there is some value here as Woll has an extensive injury history. Keep an eye on this situation.

Adam Boqvist – One of the big surprises out of Florida's training camp and preseason, was Adam Boqvist being deployed on the top power play unit over the incumbent Aaron Ekblad, making him a much sought after fantasy hockey sleeper. Unfortunately, he was hit in the face with a puck in their season opener and was unable to complete the game. He is undergoing tests Wednesday morning, and head coach Paul Maurice is hopeful that he will be able to travel with the team if there is "nothing sinister" in the results. 

Ekblad would take over PP1 duties if he isn't able to go. With consistent deployment, Boqvist could crest the 40-point mark if things break right. This is a highly skilled offensive defenceman. 

Dakota Joshua – Joshua is on the mend after having surgery for testicular cancer in September. He has recently resumed skating and will travel with the team for their upcoming four-game road trip. He is still likely a few weeks away from game action, but this is promising news. Joshua had a minor breakout last season on the Canucks third line, collecting 18 goals and 14 assists in 63 contests. His real value lies in his hit totals. He had 244 just last season with 222 the season previous. He will be a very valuable player in banger leagues .

Jake Guentzel – The 30-year-old winger was absent from practice on Tuesday and is apparently dealing with an undisclosed injury. Head coach Jon Cooper, wasn't overly concerned with the situation saying it was nothing to worry about and he expects him to play in the Bolts first game of the year. If for some reason, Guentzel misses Friday's game, Mikey Eyssimont moved up to the top line at even strength with Darren Raddysh and Anthony Cirelli taking reps on PP1. Guentzel is primed for a big season with the Lightning and could put up over 90 points. 

Valeri Nichushkin – Reports have come out stating that Nichushkin will arrive in Denver towards the end of October and should be back on the ice with his teammates. He is still in Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and won't be eligible for reinstatement until sometime in mid-November but at least we have some sort of timeline. By all accounts, it appears the team will welcome him back after addressing the situation with the players and he makes an excellent stash in your fantasy leagues. Nuke went nuclear on the power play last season with 16 PPG in just 54 games, and would likely return to that spot once he is cleared to play. If he is available on your wire, snatch him up.

Ilya Sorokin – Sorokin has been cleared for opening night after having back surgery in the offseason. He'll be in the lineup on Thursday against Utah but in a backup capacity with veteran Semyon Varlomov getting the start. If healthy, there isn't any reason to think that Sorokin can't get back to his old ways. He should be considered a top-five goalie for fantasy purposes but with a poor finish to last season and the recent injury, you may have gotten him at value in your drafts. 

Yegor Sharangovich –  Sharangovich suffered an unfortunate injury after falling awkwardly in a recent preseason game and has since been labeled week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Rookie Samuel Honzek will move up to the wing to play with Nazem Kadri and Andrei Kuzmenko with Connor Zary getting some power play one deployment.

Boone Jenner/Dmitri Voronkov – Captain Boone Jenner was placed on injured reserve after losing an edge and slamming into the boards in practice. The team is labeling it an upper-body injury and with winger Dmitri Voronkov dealing with an upper-body injury of his own, the Blue Jackets will be stretched thin to start the year. Yegor Chinakhov appears to be the primary beneficiary of these injuries and will get deployment on the top line and power play. 

Wyatt Johnston/Jason Robertson – Good news for the Stars as their two budding superstars are both trending towards full health after dealing with injuries throughout the preseason. Robertson had foot surgery in the offseason but was able to participate in recent practices and is on track to play opening night. Johnston has been dealing with an undisclosed injury but is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday against the Predators. Both players will be featured on the top power play in Dallas and Johnston in particular, could be inline for a massive breakout. 

Tim Stutzle/Brady Tkachuk – Both Stutzle (upper-body) and Tkachuk (upper-body) missed last Saturday's preseason finale but that appears to be a precautionary measure as both players practiced with the team and should be good to go for the season opener against the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Get them back in your lineups. 

^Brady after fighting BEEFER Arber Xhekaj ^

That is it for this week's article. Thank you so much for reading. 

Please follow me on Twitter/X @BlakeCreamerAG and come and check out my fantasy hockey musings on the Apples and Ginos Fantasy Hockey Podcast. Celebrate your day. Bye for now.

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