There are plenty of players who fall into this category, whether they are long-time card-carrying members of the Band-Aid Boy club, recent additions, or sitting right on the edge of earning that label. Owning one in fantasy can be frustrating, any more is just heartbreaking, but it does happen. If you draft them, you need to understand the risk and be ready to plan around it. With that, let us dive into the Top 10 names you should be watching and worrying about.
Enjoy!
10. Alex Tuch – Buffalo Sabres
Tuch evolved into a key piece for the Sabres, blending power, speed, and growing leadership into a top-six role – he is a fan favourite. He brings strong fantasy value with multi-cat, top-line deployment, often alongside Tage Thompson or JJ Peterka. However, his track record shows a consistent pattern of missed games, whether through nagging injuries or longer absences. He has played the occasional full campaign, but that unreliability can frustrate fantasy managers. The upside is real and hard to ignore but if you draft him, plan for depth insurance, it is just part of the experience.
9. Andrei Svechnikov – Carolina Hurricanes
Svechnikov's blend of power, skill, and physicality makes him a force and a constant injury risk. Since tearing his ACL in March 2023, he has not looked fully back. Conditioning issues and nagging injuries derailed his rhythm last season, and while he is still a staple in Carolina's top six with PP and PK duties, the missed time adds up. He teases 70+ point upside with that unique mix of grit and finesse, but it rarely pans out over a full year. Fantasy managers fall for the ceiling every time, I know I have, but more often than not, you are left chasing IR replacements by midseason.
8. Charlie McAvoy – Boston Bruins
Charlie McAvoy is not always injured, but he consistently misses time. Since stepping into the role of Boston's top defenseman, he has yet to put together a full season without some sort of interruption. That becomes frustrating in fantasy, especially if you are relying on him as your top blueliner. While he is not a pure offensive driver like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes, McAvoy chips in across multiple categories, which helps his value. He remains essential to Boston's overall structure and transition game, but the issue is the unpredictability. You draft him expecting 75 or more games, and end up with 62, or even less.
7. Thatcher Demko – Vancouver Canucks
Thatcher Demko has all the makings of a fantasy goalie you build around, if only he could stay healthy. The Canucks are at a "TSN Turing Point" with him, can he stay healthy and be the goalie that the team and the league has seen? When active, Demko is elite, posting strong save percentages and stealing games. Fantasy managers know the drill: draft Demko, enjoy the elite stats for a couple months, then scramble when the inevitable injury hits. Goalies are volatile in fantasy already, and Demko adds another layer of risk.
6. Josh Norris – Ottawa Senators
Few young players in recent history have dealt with the injury setbacks Josh Norris has faced. Multiple shoulder injuries have stalled what once looked like a cornerstone NHL career. Now part of Buffalo's top six, Norris offers clear fantasy value when healthy. That "when healthy" caveat continues to define him. Fantasy managers who bought in after his breakout have repeatedly been left short, as he has yet to prove he can handle a full season without re-aggravation or missed time. The upside remains tempting, which keeps his draft stock afloat. Just be prepared with depth at center, because history suggests you will need it.
5. Jack Eichel – Vegas Golden Knights
Jack Eichel's talent has never been in doubt, but his availability always raises questions. He has only played 81 games once in his career – his rookie season. From the neck surgery saga in Buffalo to lower-body injuries in Vegas, Eichel's durability has been a major concern, he is as fragile as he is impactful. When healthy, he is a top-tier fantasy centre, easily producing over a point per game. This past season's 77 games and 100-point pace could signal an inflection point. However, I would need to see at least another few full healthy seasons to confirm that. Drafting Eichel means accepting high production alongside missed weeks. The talent demands attention, but the durability forces hesitation.
4. Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs
Matthews is not typically labeled as injury-prone, but he is quietly developing into a Band-Aid fantasy player, in fact he is already a Trainee. Since entering the NHL, he has missed time in nearly every season. Wrist issues, shoulder tweaks, and load management days have limited him from playing a full 82-game slate. He rarely misses long stretches, so that is good, but the recurring three to five-game absences are frustrating, especially for managers using a first-round pick. The problem is that you still have to draft him. A 40-goal floor and 60-goal ceiling make him too special to pass on.
3. Aleksander Barkov – Florida Panthers
Aleksander Barkov is the heartbeat of the Panthers, a true elite two-way centre and high-end producer when active, but the wear is starting to show. Over the past five seasons, he has missed 15 or more games multiple times due to a mix of injuries. He draws the toughest matchups in all situations, which takes a toll. From a fantasy lens, he is both a weapon and a risk. He chips in across the board – faceoffs, assists, power-play, shorthanded situations but that recurring 10–20 game absence lingers. Managers targeting top-20 fantasy anchors need to weigh the growing durability red flags.
2. Mark Stone – Vegas Golden Knights
Look, let's be real here, Stone should probably be on the cover of the Band-Aid Boys poster. His entire career has been like this, but since arriving in Vegas, he has missed chunks of every season, including major back surgeries and repeated LTIR stints that have derailed anyone's fantasy team. The kicker? When he is healthy, he is fantastic. His all-around game, elite takeaways, and top-line usage make him a multi-category gem, especially in leagues that value hits and defensive play. However, every year, you end up stashing him for weeks, hoping the upside outweighs the wait. He is as important to Vegas as anyone, but he is a walking red flag for fantasy reliability. I personally have stayed away from him for that exact reason.
1. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils
Jack Hughes is not Certified or a Trainee just yet, but with each passing season, he inches closer. The offensive talent is elite, but the durability is not. Hughes has missed time in three of his last four seasons, due to multiple shoulder and upper-body injuries. He nearly had a full 82-game campaign in 2022-23 with a near-100-point season. When healthy, he is the driver of New Jersey's attack and a top-tier fantasy option, but the reality is clear: Hughes has yet to show he can play a full season without injury. He logs a ton of minutes and takes constant contact. The ceiling is very high and so is the risk of injury.
Thanks for reading! See you next week! For more fantasy hockey content and analysis, follow me on X @Punters_hockey. If you have any questions about your team or a trade? My DMs are always open — happy to help!
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Patrick Laine and Matt Barzal definitely belong on the list, perhaps on a Top 20.