With the 2025-2026 NHL season in full swing, certain teams have been more successful than others, with many facing the struggle of losing their top players due to injuries and personal absences.
Last Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that 25-year-old forward Filip Hallander was diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg. He is expected to be out for at least three months and will stay in Pennsylvania to rehab with the Penguins’ medical team.
“It’s terrible. At the same time, though, when something like this comes up, this goes way beyond hockey. This is about the person. And I think we’re all very thankful and grateful that the medical staff here was able to figure this out as quickly as they did, and now, they can start to do everything they need to just to get him back on track and take care of him,” said Penguins head coach Dan Muse in an interview Friday after the announcement was released.
The Penguins currently sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division and have a 9-5-3 record. With key leaders like Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust averaging significant ice time, the Penguins have leaned on veteran players to add to their scoreboard.
The loss of Hallander these next few months will require the team to call up more young prospects and turn the attention towards newcomers hoping to make their mark.
Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Washington Capitals recently underwent surgery to repair injuries to his abdominal and adductor muscles and is set to miss three to four months. This is a significant loss for the Capitals as Dubois was a key part of the team last season, recording a career high of 66 points with 20 goals and 46 assists.
The injury occurred during the Capitals game against the New York Islanders on Oct. 31, when Dubois fell awkwardly during a cross-check. The Capitals will need to look for someone to fill his spot on the second line next to Tom Wilson and Anthony Mantha. Dubois is a strong penalty killer and face-off winner for the team. The Capitals are closing in on last place in the Metropolitan division holding the same record as the 8-7-1 Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Buffalo Sabres are also facing a sudden absence of captain Rasmus Dahlin due to a personal matter. Dahlin’s fiancé, Carolina Matovac, received a heart transplant during the offseason after experiencing major heart failure while the pair was vacationing in France.
“This has undoubtedly been the most challenging chapter of our lives, however it is something that we have learned so much from. “We will continue to grow from these experiences and are so grateful for all the love and support we have received. We are truly blessed in so many ways and fully realize how fortunate we are,” said Dahlin in a letter posted to his social media.
There is no set date for Dahlin’s return, but the team is hopeful he will rejoin them sooner rather than later.
A look at the standings shows the Colorado Avalanche (10-1-5) in first place in the league followed by the Anaheim Ducks and the New Jersey Devils. Looking towards the bottom, the Calgary Flames are struggling with a 4-11-2 record and just above them the St. Louis Blues (5-8-3).
Although it is still early in the season with these standings certain to change, one thing that has remained consistent is that injuries are unfortunately inevitable, and each team must find a way to navigate these losses.