The NHL injury report is piling up as we inch closer to the Olympic break, with several teams navigating key absences and tough decisions. Let’s break down where things stand for a few notable names across the league.
Maple Leafs Place Joshua, Tanev on LTIR
The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed defensemen Dakota Joshua and Chris Tanev on long-term injured reserve. Joshua, who’s been out for the past month with a lacerated kidney, has started light skating, but he’s not expected back until after the Olympic break. It’s a cautious approach, and understandably so - kidney injuries aren’t something you rush.
Tanev’s situation is a little murkier. He’s been sidelined for the same stretch due to a groin injury and has already cleared the LTIR thresholds of 10 games and 24 days missed.
That means he’s eligible to return whenever he's ready, but the question now is whether surgery will be necessary. That decision is still up in the air, and until it’s made, the Leafs will be without one of their most dependable blue-liners.
Greenway’s Road to Recovery Still Unclear
In Buffalo, winger Jordan Greenway is still battling his way back to full health after undergoing two sports hernia surgeries in just over a year. He’s been on a limited schedule - no back-to-backs, minimal practice time - and that’s not ideal for a power forward who thrives on physicality and rhythm.
Greenway is expected to meet with doctors Thursday to evaluate whether the discomfort he’s still dealing with can be corrected or if it’s just something he’ll have to grit through. With the three-week Olympic break on the horizon, now would be the time for any additional procedures. If they can get it addressed during the pause, he might be able to avoid missing much actual game time.
Blues Avoid Worst-Case Scenario with Kyrou, Neighbours
The St. Louis Blues got a bit of good news on the injury front.
Wingers Jordan Kyrou (upper body) and Jake Neighbours (lower body) are both listed as day-to-day after further evaluations. That’s a relief for a team that saw both players exit Tuesday’s game against Dallas.
Head coach Jim Montgomery isn’t sure yet if either will be ready for Thursday’s matchup with Florida, but considering how things looked initially, this is about as positive an update as the Blues could’ve hoped for. With both players playing key roles in the top-six, their availability will be something to watch closely.
Hedman Closing In on Return for Lightning
Victor Hedman was back on the ice at practice for the first time since an elbow injury sidelined him nearly seven weeks ago. The Lightning’s veteran defenseman has missed 33 of the last 36 games, but when healthy, he’s still been productive - 12 assists in 18 games while averaging over 21 minutes per night.
Hedman has had his sights set on returning in time for the Olympics, and based on where things stand, he’s trending in the right direction. Head coach Jon Cooper even left the door open for a possible return this Sunday in the Stadium Series game.
That would be a major boost for Tampa Bay - not just symbolically, but structurally. Hedman remains the anchor of their blue line, and getting him back in rhythm before the break could be huge.
Flyers’ Ristolainen Injured Again
Tough break - again - for Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. The 31-year-old exited Wednesday night’s game against Columbus after just two shifts and a little over a minute of ice time due to a lower-body injury.
It’s been a frustrating year for Ristolainen, who missed over two months to start the season with a triceps injury, then lost another six games this month to an upper-body issue. He had just returned on Monday, and now finds himself back on the shelf. In 15 games this season, he’s recorded three assists and 25 blocked shots - not eye-popping numbers, but his physical presence and experience are hard to replace.
What’s more concerning is the timing. Ristolainen is expected to represent Finland at the Olympics, but if this latest injury keeps him out for more than a couple weeks, that opportunity could be in jeopardy.
Injuries are part of the game, but with the Olympic break looming, timing is everything. For teams like the Leafs, Lightning, and Flyers, the next few weeks could be pivotal - not just for standings, but for getting key players healthy and ready for the stretch run.