Good morning, good afternoon, good evening everyone. Welcome back to the Injury Ward. My name is Logan Clarkson and every Wednesday I will be chauffeuring you through injury news and updates from around the NHL. I'll do my best to offer useful analysis and opinion as it relates to fantasy throughout. As always, I’d like to thank every single one of you for reading. Now, on to the bad (and some good) news.

David Pastrnak / BOS – (knee) after practice Tuesday, Pastrnak opened up a bit and told reporters that he may be dealing with the same tendonitis in his knees all year that he had dealt with for the past season. This is… terrible news for anyone who has already drafted him. He will be far from useless even with a lingering injury, but already lacking a supporting cast, this does not sound great for his owners.

Zach Hyman / EDM – (wrist) Isn’t expected to be ready to return until November 1^st, per Mark Spector of Sportsnet on Thursday. Hyman had a bit of a down year last year in most stat categories until losing the rest of his season late to injury in the playoffs when he took a glancing hit to the arms from Mason Marchment. For now, Trent Frederic will get the first shot on line one next to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl while Hyman nurses his wrist back to full strength. A small note, add Matthew Savoie to your watch lists, since when he lands on one of the two big boy lines, it may bear massive fruit.

Zeev Buium / MIN – (upper body) sustained an upper-body injury Thursday and is considered day-to-day, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports. Buium is questionable to return to play for the beginning of the season.

Alex Tuch / BUF – (undisclosed) Tuch is questionable to start the season healthy for Buffalo. It is still possible since he has been practicing, but not scrimmaging with the team. Tuch is a great player for cross-category coverage, upping his blocks totals and setting a new record for forwards at 113 last year. Insanity! This all on top of 67 points and 73 hits.

Mackenzie Blackwood / COL – (lower body) is progressing, but he could be unavailable for Opening Night on Oct. 7 against the Kings. Blackwood, when healthy, should get the bulk of starts for the Avalanche. Brought over from San Jose last season, Mackenzie did what was asked of him for the most part and put up a career best save percentage, quality start percentage, and GAA. He improved from just six wins in 17 starts in San Jose to capturing the hill in 22 of 36 starts in Colorado while throwing in three shutouts for laughs.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen / BUF – (lower body) hasn’t practiced yet during training camp, but he has been making progress, Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News reported Saturday. UPL has had a woeful run the last few seasons but this is right in line with the rest of his Buffalo teammates. Is this the year?! Probably not, but with Tage Thompson moving to RW and losing some responsibility there could be some inkling of positive change for this team.

Drake Batherson / OTT – (undisclosed) left Tuesday’s practice early after pulling something, Claire Hanna of TSN reported. Batherson has steadily inclined with his season totals topping out at 68 points last year for the Sens. Drake is great for some multi-cat leagues putting up nearly 150 hits last season to go with 200 shots and 31 power play points.

Artemi Panarin / NYR – (lower body) has started skating but remains out of the lineup ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with Boston, Vince Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reports. Panarin had his worst statistical season since 2018-19 while in Columbus and still, he managed to post 89 points in 80 games.

Joseph Woll / TOR- (personal) will be stepping away from the team indefinitely to attend to a personal family matter, the Leafs announced Tuesday. Slide Stolarz up in your drafts, and Woll down slightly but not by much. I don't mind running a tandem from a good team in my fantasy squads, but needing both players to bear fruit may leave you using more draft capital to get them both than it’s worth.

Barret Hayton / UTA – (undisclosed) was injured on Monday, but was back to full health by Wednesday. Crisis averted here.

John Klingberg / SJS – (undisclosed) left Tuesday’s practice and is day to day. Klingberg was running the powerplay until this injury and that spot is now being held by Dickinson before his return. Klingberg, if his hips hold up, can be a sneaky late round addition if he keeps this spot and looks as good as he did for Edmonton through the first few rounds of the playoffs last season.

Logan Cooley / UTA – (undisclosed) was deemed day-to-day ahead of Monday’s game versus Anaheim, Cole Bagley of KSL Sports reports.

Pavel Dorofeyev / VGK – (lower body) left the game Tuesday and did not return.

Jared McCann / SEA – (lower body) Mccann is probable for the start of the season.

Brandon Montour / SEA – (ankle) Montour is questionable for the start of the season.

Mats Zuccarello / MIN – (undisclosed) looks like Zucc will be out for the start of the season and possibly beyond. Mats has been a loyal bottom of the roster gem for me in the past five years in non bangers leagues since being given powerplay time and I salute him for this, hoping he can regain form in a return.

Alexander Ovechkin / WSH – (lower body) Ovechkin took to the Ice before practice Tuesday, and then left the ice for the team portion. Ovechkin is getting ready to ride off into the Eastern sunrise for what is most likely his last season in the NHL.

Thanks again for reading, and please give me a follow, you can find me here on Twitter/X @LOGoalz for any questions, concerns, or abuse you may want to shower me with. Have a great week people!