NHL Injury Updates: Key Players Sidelined Across the League

From the Capitals to the Canucks, teams are navigating lineup uncertainties as star players recover from a range of injuries.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:38am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and the puck and sticks creating dynamic, intersecting lines. The color palette features muted blues, greens, and reds, reflecting the official team colors of the teams mentioned in the story.The NHL's injury crisis exposes the physical toll on players, as teams navigate lineup uncertainties and the league grapples with balancing safety and the sport's inherent physicality.Chicago Today

The NHL is grappling with a wave of injuries that have sidelined key players across the league. Teams like the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, and Carolina Hurricanes are facing tough decisions as they determine the status of injured stars like Tom Wilson, Nick Foligno, Brandon Montour, and Seth Jarvis for upcoming games. Controversies around player safety, recovery timelines, and the impact of these absences on team dynamics have sparked debates among fans and analysts.

Why it matters

Injuries in the NHL can make or break a team's season, testing the depth and resilience of rosters. As teams navigate these lineup uncertainties, questions arise around the league's approach to player safety, the balance between physicality and risk, and the long-term effects of injuries on star players and team chemistry.

The details

In Washington, the Capitals are uncertain about the availability of forwards Tom Wilson and Ryan Leonard for their game against the New York Rangers. Wilson missed the morning skate, while Leonard, who has been out for seven games due to a shoulder injury and facial trauma, fully participated in practice and could return to the power-play unit. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said the team has "some guys dealing with minor tweaks, sickness, and maintenance." Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno is nearing a comeback after fully joining Monday's practice, though he is still considered day-to-day. However, the team will be without forward Frank Nazar for about four weeks after he took a puck to the face. The Seattle Kraken will be without defenseman Brandon Montour for four weeks following hand surgery, and Vince Dunn is questionable for their game against the Los Angeles Kings due to a lower-body injury. The Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with the absences of forward Seth Jarvis and defenseman Jaccob Slavin, both of whom are week-to-week with upper-body injuries.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Tom Wilson

A forward for the Washington Capitals who is a game-time decision for their upcoming game against the New York Rangers.

Ryan Leonard

A 20-year-old rookie forward for the Washington Capitals who has been out for the last seven games due to a shoulder issue and facial injuries, but fully participated in practice and could return to the power-play unit.

Nick Foligno

The captain of the Chicago Blackhawks who is edging closer to a comeback after fully joining Monday's practice session and could play against the Flyers on Tuesday.

Frank Nazar

A forward for the Chicago Blackhawks who will be out for about four weeks after taking a puck to the face during a game against the Ottawa Senators.

Brandon Montour

A defenseman for the Seattle Kraken who is sidelined for four weeks following hand surgery.

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What they’re saying

“We've got some guys dealing with minor tweaks, sickness, and maintenance, so we'll sort it out at game time.”

— Spencer Carbery, Capitals coach

“He's day to day, but he looked solid today.”

— Mike Vellucci, Blackhawks assistant coach

“We've hardly ever had our full roster, but it's given others a chance to grow.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Hurricanes coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These injury updates highlight the fragility of player health in the NHL and the challenges teams face in balancing player safety, roster depth, and the physical demands of the sport. As debates continue around rule changes and recovery timelines, the league must find ways to protect its stars while preserving the thrilling nature of professional hockey.