*Note: Stats courtesy of Frozen Tools

With fantasy hockey drafts fast approaching, we at Dobber Hockey aim to give you all the information necessary to have an edge. With that in mind, this week, we will be looking at ten players whose current health status or risk for injury should make managers think twice about selecting them too early in their drafts. Here are the Top 10 Fantasy Injury Risks for next season.

10. Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks

Thatcher Demko has been one of the most injury riddled players in the league over the last several seasons. He went from being an elite goaltender to now being largely considered a question mark. His status is currently uncertain ahead of training camp. The potential reward isn't worth the risk that comes with Demko. Even if he's completely healthy, the Canucks roster in front of him won't be doing him any favors as they likely will be in contention for a lottery spot.

9. Kevin Fiala, LW, Los Angeles Kings

Kevin Fiala suffered a nasty leg injury during the 2026 olympics which kept him on the sidelines for the back half of the season. After any serious injury like the one he suffered, it's unclear how a player will fare in their return to action. It might be tough sailing for Fiala in the early goings of the season so managers who plan to draft him may need to be patient as he gets back into game shape.

8. Frederik Andersen, G, Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have been trying to shore up their goaltending situation for many years now. This offseason, they signed reigning Stanley Cup Champion Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal. However, before even suiting up for the team, he has already suffered an injury. Throughout his career, Andersen has never been able to stay healthy. Although he helped the Hurricanes to a championship, he was sheltered by an elite defensive group in Carolina. It's difficult to say whether or not he can find similar success in Edmonton. At age 36, starting the year on the IR doesn't bode well. As a result, fantasy managers should avoid him this season.

7.  Troy Terry, RW, Anaheim Ducks

Troy Terry hasn't played a full season throughout his career, and that will once again be the case this year. The Ducks forward suffered a hip injury that has him expected to miss the first month or two of the season. This is a big blow to a young Anaheim team looking to build off of the success of last season. For smaller players like Terry, injuries are always a concern. It's possible that we see him go undrafted in many leagues, as although he puts up solid numbers offensively, he is primarily a one-dimensional playmaker as far as fantasy is concerned. The injury troubles should see many steer clear of Terry next season.

6. Brad Marchand, LW, Florida Panthers

At his age, the risk of injury will always be a concern, but even more so for Marchand due to his style of play and recent health issues. The reality is that he is not the same player we saw during his Boston years, and he has taken on more of a secondary scoring role on the Panthers. This will be even more true with the recent arrival of Brady Tkachuk. For Marchand, he is no longer a player that will be drafted before the late rounds to fill out a bench spot.

5. Roope Hintz, C, Dallas Stars

Roope Hintz is healthy to start the season after missing the entire Stars’ first-round matchup due to injury. His perception in the league has fallen after a couple of underwhelming campaigns. With the amount of star power in Dallas, he is no longer as relied upon offensively as Wyatt Johnston has become the team’s top centreman. The risk of re-aggravating his injury is present, and Hintz isn't the same player that we saw a few seasons prior.

4. Seth Jarvis, RW, Carolina Hurricanes

Winning a Stanley Cup doesn't come without a cost, and for the Carolina Hurricanes, the cost was a shoulder injury to star forward Seth Jarvis. He underwent successful surgery in the spring but isn't expected to return to the Hurricanes lineup until at least November. With uncertainty surrounding his slated return, he should be avoided until the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

3. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

The Hawks’ young star Connor Bedard has once again fallen to injury. This has become a trend early in his career and will see him miss the start of the 2026-27 season for Chicago. We saw what he was capable of last season when healthy, as he found himself near the top of the scoring leaderboards. However, it's unclear how long he'll be out for and what kind of player he will be immediately after his return. Managers should avoid taking him in the early rounds, but he could be a late steal who could help a team in the back half of the season.

2. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

Tkachuk missed half the season last year for Florida as virtually the entire Panthers roster dealt with injury troubles. When healthy, he was productive, but he’s missed a combined 81 games in the last two seasons. He'll be joined by his brother Brady in Florida next season, and the brothers’ style of play comes with some injury risks. Matthew can be the type of player whose health makes or breaks a fantasy team’s season if he is selected too early.

1. Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthews is only a couple of years removed from being a top five fantasy selection in virtually every draft. His elite goal scoring and shot volume made him one of the most sought-after players in recent fantasy hockey memory. However, his goal scoring has dropped off significantly in the two years since his 69-goal campaign, managing only 60 goals combined in those seasons. Some of this has been linked to suspected lingering injury effects, as he’s suffered both knee and hand injuries in the past. While he hasn't missed the same amount of time as some other players on this list, Matthews' health issues have prevented him from playing at the level he's capable of. Managers should be weary to build their team around him this season.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67