Injury Ward: Kucherov Returns; Covid Cases; Tuch, Smith, Guentzel & More

Brennan Des

2021-12-29

Here's the latest injury news from across the NHL! If you're looking for information about a specific player and don't see their name in this article, there probably haven't been any significant updates about their progress since our last article. If you ever need injury updates for a specific player, shoot me a message on Twitter @BrennanDeSouza.

Jakob ChychrunIt sounds like an upper-body injury will keep the Coyotes defenseman sidelined until the second or third week of January.

Alex TuchFive months removed from shoulder surgery, Tuch is expected to make his season debut against the Devils on Wednesday.

Craig AndersonThe Sabres netminder is out month-to-month with an upper-body injury that's kept him sidelined since early November. He was on the ice facing shots last week, but there's no concrete timetable for his return.

Martin NecasEntered concussion protocol after taking a hit during a game against the Kings on December 18th. He was a full participant in practice on Sunday and Wednesday, so I'd expect he'll be available against the Habs on Thursday.

Gabriel LandeskogColorado's captain has been a full participant in recent practices and should be available for the team's next game, against Anaheim on Sunday. He had been out with a lower-body injury since December 10th.

Bowen Byram The Avalanche defenseman has been sidelined with some head-related issues. He has been skating recently and looked like a full participant in recent practices despite wearing a non-contact sweater. Byram could be an option for Colorado's next game, scheduled for Sunday against the Ducks.

Jakub Voracek – The Blue Jackets forward is day-to-day with an injury. The good news is he was on the ice for Tuesday's practice and hasn't yet been ruled out of Thursday's clash with Nashville.

Adam BoqvistAn upper-body injury kept Boqvist out of Columbus' last three games but he's been practicing recently and feels ready to go. I expect he'll be available against Nashville on Thursday.

Patrik LaineOn November 5th, Columbus announced that Laine was expected to miss four to six weeks with an oblique strain. That timetable ran its course a couple weeks ago, but the rehab process was complicated because there weren't many opportunities for Laine to skate. He had been with family in Finland because his father passed away, then the holiday break + COVID postponements interrupted things once he returned to Columbus. Based on all this, it makes sense that coach Brad Larsen wants to be cautious with the winger's return. Laine practiced on Sunday and Monday, feeling ready to go after Monday's practice. However, he skated as an extra during Wednesday's practice, which suggests he won't be available for Thursday's game against Nashville.

Mike Smith – The Oilers netminder will start against the Blues on Wednesday night. A lower-body injury kept him sidelined for the past two months.

Aleksander BarkovFlorida's captain is expected to play against the Rangers on Wednesday night. He had been dealing with an upper-body injury.

Alexander Edler – The Kings defenseman was recently placed on long term injured reserve with a left-ankle fracture. He'll have to miss at least 10 games and 24 days (from December 11th) as a result of the transaction, so he won't be back any time soon.

Joel Eriksson EkThe talented two-way center is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury that sounds serious. GM Bill Guerin didn't reveal whether Eriksson Ek needs surgery, or how long he's expected to be out, but it does sound like it'll be a while. He definitely won't be available for the Winter Classic on January 1st.

Jared SpurgeonA lower-body injury will keep Minnesota's captain out of the Winter Classic on January 1st. He hasn't been skating recently and there's no official timetable for his return.

Josh AndersonWill be sidelined for about five more weeks because of an upper-body injury.

Matt DucheneNashville's forwardwill return to the lineup on Wednesday night to face the Capitals. After an incredibly disappointing showing last season, Duchene has bounced back with 25 points in 26 games this year.

Kyle PalmieriIs dealing with a lower-body injury and while he's been skating on his own, he hasn't practiced recently. I don't expect he'll be available against the Sabres on Thursday.

Ryan PulockOn November 17th, the Islanders announced that Pulock would be sidelined for four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. That timetable has run its course, but it doesn't sound like Pulock is ready to return just yet. He's been skating on his own and feels better, but hasn't practiced with the team. I don't expect he'll be in the lineup for Thursday's game against Buffalo.

Jake Guentzel – Has been a full participant in recent practices and feels ready to return. The team will have to see how he feels over the next few days, but I'd expect Guentzel to be in the lineup for Pittsburgh's next game, against the Sharks on Sunday. He's been sidelined week-to-week because of a small fracture in his hand.

Evgeni MalkinHas been a full participant in recent practices and was skating in his usual spot as second-line center during Wednesday's skate. Malkin said his knee feels 200% stronger after offseason surgery and he wants to play for another three or four years. He also said he wouldn't play against the Sharks on Sunday, but hopes to make his return within the next week or so.  

Bryan RustWas a full participant in Pittsburgh's last few practices and should be back in the lineup on Sunday against San Jose. A lower-body injury has kept Rust out of the lineup since November 24th.

Jason ZuckerIs out week-to-week with a nagging lower-body injury.

Brandon TanevSuffered an ACL injury against the Oilers on December 18th and will be sidelined for the rest of the season while he recovers from surgery.

Jordan KyrouWill face the Oilers on Wednesday night. Kyrou has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since December 11th.

Robert ThomasWill face the Oilers on Wednesday. The Blues forward has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since December 4th.

David PerronWill face Edmonton on Wednesday night. He's been sidelined with an upper-body injury since November 26th.

Brayden SchennIs day-to-day with an upper-body injury, unrelated to the one that kept him out earlier this season. He's been practicing recently, but isn't ready to face the Oilers on Wednesday.

Erik CernakTampa's defenseman hasn't been skating recently and remains week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Nikita KucherovHas been practicing with the team frequently over the past few weeks but isn't quite skating at full intensity just yet. The superstar winger underwent surgery on October 26th, which came with an eight to 10 week recovery timeline. We have another week left in that timetable, but I wouldn't be surprised if his return is delayed slightly to ensure he's at 100-percent.

Mitch Marner – Has been practicing recently and hopes to be ready for Toronto's next game, which is currently scheduled for January 1st. He's been out with a shoulder injury since December 1st.

Alec MartinezIn late November, we learned Martinez was dealing with a head injury. The team doesn't have a projected date for his return but it sounds like Martinez made some encouraging progress over the past few weeks and should get back on the ice in the next few days. 

Mark StoneOn Tuesday, Stone was placed on Injured Reserve. As such, he'll be sidelined for at least a week. He was a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Kings, but Vegas hasn't revealed much else about the nature of his injury.

Robin LehnerIs day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He was a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's tilt against LA, which suggests the injury isn't too serious. With that being said, this injury has kept him sidelined for a week now, so it's not exactly minor.

Nolan PatrickHas been a full participant in practice recently and it sounds like he's nearing a return. Patrick has been sidelined with an upper-body injury since October 22nd.

NHL's COVID-19 Protocol List

Over the past few weeks, many players have been placed in COVID protocol. There isn't really much information available for each case, so I've simply listed the date that each player entered protocol. In the past, players stayed sidelined for about 10 days, but the league and player's association agreed to let vaccinated individuals leave isolation five days after a positive COVID test, if they have no symptoms or if symptoms are resolving. That early exit is only possibly if allowed by local health authorities, which means players on certain teams may have to stay out longer than others. We should learn more about these changes in the coming days.

Below is a list of fantasy-relevant players currently sidelined due to COVID.

Max ComtoisWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Trevor ZegrasWas placed in COVID protocol on December 28th.

Charlie CoyleWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Dylan CozensWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th. Reports indicate he's asymptomatic.

Jeff SkinnerWas placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Frederik AndersenEntered COVID protocol on December 22nd.

Marc-Andre FleuryEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Pavel FrancouzTested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on January 5th.

Mikko RantanenTested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on December 31st.

Logan O'Connor – Tested positive for COVID-19 during the holiday break and is expected to return on December 30th.

Oliver BjorkstrandWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Joonas KorpisaloWas placed in COVID protocol on December 20th.

Jamie BennWas placed in COVID protocol on December 29th.

Ryan SuterWas placed in COVID protocol on December 29th.

Roope HintzWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Esa LindellWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Miro HeiskanenWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Jason RobertsonWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Nick LeddyEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Lucas Raymond – Entered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Zack KassianEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Darnell NurseEntered COVID protocol on December 20th.

Jesse PuljujarviWas placed in COVID protocol on December 18th. His mandatory 10-day quarantine should be done before Edmonton's next game, scheduled for Wednesday against the Blues.

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Jonathan HuberdeauThe Panthers winger was placed in COVID protocol on December 26th but participated in Wednesday's morning skate – which suggests he's no longer in protocol. Huberdeau is expected to play against the Rangers on Wednesday night.

Dustin BrownWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Quinton ByfieldWas placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Phillip DanaultWas placed in COVID protocol on December 19th. He should be out of protocol before LA's next game, scheduled for Thursday against the Canucks.

Cal PetersenWas placed in COVID protocol on December 18th. He should be out of protocol before the Kings' next game – against Vancouver on Thursday.

Jonas BrodinEntered COVID protocol on December 28th.

Jake AllenEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Jeff PetryEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Joel Edmundson – Entered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Ben ChiarotEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Mike HoffmanEntered COVID protocol on December 20th.

Roman JosiEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Colton SissonsEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Tomas TatarEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Brock NelsonEntered COVID protocol on December 28th.

Anthony BeauvillierEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Oliver WahlstromEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Cal ClutterbuckEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Alexandar GeorgievWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Ryan LindgrenWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.


Anton Forsberg
Was placed in COVID protocol on December 27th. He didn't participate in Monday's practice as a result of a recent close contact.

Carter HartWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Derick BrassardWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Scott LaughtonWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Sean CouturierWas placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Ryan EllisWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th. He's also week-to-week with a lower-body injury that's kept him out since November 13th.

Tristan JarryWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

John MarinoWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Evan RodriguesWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Teddy BluegerWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Kasperi Kapanen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 29th.

Adin HillWas placed in COVID protocol on December 27th.

Jonathan Dahlen – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Vince DunnWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

Adam LarssonWas placed in COVID protocol on December 20th.

Ivan BarbashevTested positive for COVID-19 on December 23rd.

Anthony CirelliEntered COVID protocol on December 27th.

Andrei VasilevskiyEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Brian Elliot – Entered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Mikhail SergachevEntered COVID protocol on December 26th.

Jake MuzzinWas placed in COVID protocol on December 26th.

William NylanderWas placed in COVID protocol on December 24th.

Morgan RiellyWas placed in COVID protocol on December 23rd.

Petr MrazekWas placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Ilya MikheyevWas placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Rasmus Sandin – Was placed in COVID protocol on December 21st.

Alex PietrangeloEntered COVID protocol on December 21st.

Evgenii DadonovEntered COVID protocol on December 21st.

Vitek VanecekEntered COVID protocol on December 24th.

Martin Fehervary – Entered COVID protocol on December 24th.

Nick JensenEntered COVID protocol on December 23rd.

Daniel SprongEntered COVID protocol on December 21st.

Justin SchultzEntered COVID protocol on December 21st.

T.J. OshieEntered COVID protocol on December 19th. It sounds like he's been released from protocol as he was on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate. As I write this, his status for Wednesday's game against Nashville remains up in the air.


Andrew Copp
Entered COVID protocol on December 23rd.

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