NHL Injury List: Return Updates

NHL Injury List:  Mass Wrap-Up of Recent News and Updates on Injured Players

Mass amounts of players are working their way onto the NHL injury list as the 2015-16 continue to unravel.  Some teams have lost key players for extended periods of time.  Below is a list of players nearing closer to return with the most recent up-to-date news.

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The team suffering worst from the injury bug in 2015-16 are the St.Louis Blues.  Patrik Berglund was lost to injury before the season even started, and has yet to return.  Jaden Schwartz was also lost for an extended period after a productive start to open the season.  Blues forward Paul Stastny missed close to a month due to injury, but has since returned.

news/update information was obtained via ESPN

NHL Injury List Recent News/Expected Returns

Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils

Henrique left December 8th’s game versus Toronto, and has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury. Coach John Hynes expects that Henrique could return on Tuesday against Buffalo.

Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins

Being called an undisclosed injury, Letang is expected to miss two weeks. Fortunately, it’s not a concussion, but Kris Letang is no stranger to the IR battling to stay healthy his entire career. This is concerning for a Penguins blue-line that has shown struggles at times in 2015-16.

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

No new reports since late November’s update that healing was ahead of schedule, making a rough timetable of mid-to-late January for the phenom’s return. The broken clavicle occurred on November 3rd.

Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

After missing a large chunk of time to injury, Couture went down once again in his 2nd game after coming off the IR. The thigh injury is expected to keep him out for at least the next five game. He’s not likely to participate in any games until after Christmas.

November 4, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad (27) breaks his stick on a shot attempt against Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers

He was placed on the IR last Friday (upper body injury) but hasn’t appeared in a game since November 29th when he was initially injured. Latest news suggest that Bjugstad won’t be available until at least December 20th.

Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

Gallagher has missed the last nine games for Montreal, but it was announced today (Dec.14) that Brendan skated for the first time since injuring himself back on November 22nd. He was seen taking wrist shots, and hoping to return in time for the Winter Classic.

Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

Stepan hasn’t appeared in New York’s last eight games, and was initially projected to miss six to eight weeks with broken ribs. It sounds like he’s ahead of schedule, and is now listed day-to-day. He should return to action soon.

Dec 3, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Colin Wilson (33) stops behind the goal during the first period against the Florida Panthers at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Colin Wilson, Nashville Predators

Deemed a lower-body injury, Wilson has missed the last three games with Nashville. It’s unclear whether he’ll be healthy enough to play Tuesday versus Calgary. The Predators cannot afford to lose top six forwards for any extended period of time. Both Colin Wilson and Mike Fisher are injured right now.

Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers

Missed the last nine games since being injured in a contest versus Carolina. The ankle sprain was originally given a timetable of two to four weeks. We’re currently entering the third week of recovery, and could see him back in action just before, or shortly after Christmas.

Mark Streit, Philadelphia Flyers

A groin injury that required surgery sidelined the Flyers top defender for an expected six weeks originally. Streit started skated on December 3rd, and it’s now believed he could return late December.

Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning

After missing a chunk of time, Drouin returned on December 2nd scoring a goal, adding an assist. But, four games later and Drouin is once again out with a lower-body injury. He’s missed one game, and is expected to miss the Lightning’s entire upcoming road trip.

Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) during the game against the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres

Ennis is out with an upper body injury, and is listed as week-to-week. It was announced Sunday (Dec.13) that Tyler Ennis skated on his own, which is a good sign for Buffalo. But, it doesn’t sound as though he’ll return anytime in the near future.

Kevin Klein, New York Rangers

Klein originally sustained an oblique injury back on November 30th, missing the last six games. We’re now two weeks into his original two to three-week timetable. He should return to action sometime over the next week.

David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins

He appeared in 10 games before sustaining a fractured foot back on October 31st. It was announced today (Dec.14) that Pastrnak participated in Boston’s morning skate. There is still no timetable for his return, although a morning skate appearance in encouraging.

Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs

He’s missed five games now with Toronto after managing to stay healthy all season. He was sidelined with a lower-body injury, but it sounds like he could return on Tuesday (Dec.15) versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. Toronto needs Lupul to stay healthy if any hope of generating a trade market for him.

Oct 30, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Brandon Sutter (21) skates with the puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Sutter, Vancouver Canucks

Appearing in 16 games to open the new season, Sutter was sidelined with an abdominal injury that he had surgery on December 2nd. He was originally given a four to six-week timetable, suggesting he could return anytime between late December and mid January, barring no set backs.

Benoit Pouliot, Edmonton Oilers

He hasn’t played in the last five games since suffering a lower-body injury. Latest rumors suggest he could return to action in the very near future.

Kyle Quincey, Detroit Red Wings

The veteran defender has been skating recently after suffering an ankle injury early in the season. He’s only appeared in seven games in 2015-16, but isn’t expected to return until late January.

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Brooks Orpik, Washington Capitals

Orpik played 14 games before suffering a lower-body injury. SI.com reported Monday (Dec.15) that Brooks Orpik will be sidelined for a “long time”. An integral part of the Capitals blue-line, Washington needs a healthy Orpik to make any noise in April.

Sam Gagner, Philadelphia Flyers

He’s missed the last nine games due to a concussion. He’s been cleared to play since soon after the injury occurred, but it’s unclear how long it will keep him sidelined. Concussions can be delicate injuries, so hopefully the Flyers forward can make a return soon.

Lance Bouma, Calgary Flames

Bouma has only played three games in 2015-16, but news Monday (Dec.14) suggest he’s joined the Flames on their upcoming road trip. It’s unclear whether he’ll play, but it’s an encouraging sign for this quality bottom six role player.