Welcome to the Injury Ward! In addition to all of the amazing content found in the columns of the Dobber Hockey website and socials, be sure to get your hands on the 2026-2027 Dobber Hockey Fantasy Guide, available right now at DobberHockey.

What a great first week it has been in the NHL! From Patrick Kane turning back the clock in Chicago, to a game with 16 goals, to yet another goalie goal, we have been spoiled with some entertaining puck the last few days. And thankfully for us at the Injury Ward, there have been some key injuries to report almost daily, so let's get into it.

Here are the key injury updates heading into the week:

Aleksander Barkov (C) – FLA – week-to-week – After missing the entire campaign last year with a severe right knee injury sustained during training camp, Florida Panthers' management, players and fans alike were rejoicing over the offseason for the triumphant return of their superstar captain and first line center Barkov. Unfortunately for the aforementioned group from Florida, Barkov exited the game with a left knee injuryin the second period of only his second game back. As is the case with most knee injuries, players tend to put more strain on their healthy knee while recovering, so it is very likely that the overcompensation could be at fault.

As per the reports from NHL.com, Barkov has an MRI scheduled for Monday and has been placed on the long term injury list. Given these updates, he is set to miss at least three and a half weeks (or 10 games of Panthers' hockey). Check back Wednesday to see if there are any updates on his condition. In the meantime, the Panthers are expected to rely heavily on Anton Lundell in the 1C position. If he is still available, consider making the acquisition before anyone else gets to him. 

Matt Roy (D) – WSH – day-to-day – Roy suffered an alleged lower body injury and left the game after logging just over 14 minutes of ice time on Saturday. He is set to be reevaluated once the team returns to DC. Already without Rasmus Sandin on the blue line until December, the Washington Capitals are hoping their alternate captain will not miss any substantial amount of time. As of 4:02 EST, there have been no updates provided on his status.

Jake DeBrusk (LW) – VAN – day-to-day – Tough start to the year for DeBrusk, which is also bad news for the Vancouver Canucks, who are starved for offensive talent without him. As reported on Sportsnet.ca, DeBrusk was kept out of the lineup Saturday with an alleged illness after showing up to the arena sick. DeBrusk had just recovered from some bruising in the foot before this latest ailment. Thankfully, the Canucks played the Calgary Flames Saturday night, so his presence was not missed as Vancouver went on to win 4-1 to move to 2-1-0 on the season. Fantasy owners are really hoping this illness is short term so he can resume his post on the first line and power play units.

Ivan Provorov (D) – CBJ – week-to-week – Columbus Blue Jackets top-four defenseman Provorov had his ironman streak snapped in the final preseason game leading up to the start of the season. Unbelievably, in 10 seasons, he has never missed a game due to injury, only three games due to health and safety protocols during the pandemic. He was struck in the left ankle by a shot on September 26 and has yet to return to the ice or resume skating in any capacity. He has been moved to the long term injury list, and no additional updates have been provided at this time.    

Jake Sanderson (D) – OTT – week-to-week – Sanderson left Saturday's showdown with the Toronto Maple Leafs after re-aggravating a lower-body injury that he had been battling throughout the week. Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green said that more would be known about Sanderson in the next few days. The Senators play on both Monday and Tuesday, so consider Sanderson doubtful for both games. Carter Yakemchuk was moved up to the Sens' top power play on Saturday after Sanderson's departure, so he is a player to target for the coming week.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Injury Ward. My name is Kevin Bissonette, and I will be providing weekly NHL injury coverage, all season long. Please give me a follow on X (@DH_KBissonette), and feel free to reach out with any last-minute questions for your squad or updates from your favorite insiders!

Thanks for taking the time to visit Dobber Hockey and good luck this week, fantasy pros!