Ranking the Most Costly NHL Injuries in 2015-16 So Far
Halfway through the 2015-16 NHL season, injuries have taken a toll upon many teams. Several notable players, including Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, have been sidelined for lengthy periods.
Losing a key player to injury can adversely affect a team's performance. The Canadiens, for example, have tumbled in the standings since Price got hurt. The Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets and Tampa Bay Lightning are also among the teams that keenly felt the absence of a sidelined star.
The following slideshow ranks the most costly injuries thus far in this NHL season. It lists the player and his injury, the effect his absence has had upon his team and the outlook for the remainder of this season. You can voice your opinion on this in the comments section below.
10. Johnny Boychuk, New York Islanders
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The New York Islanders received bad news to begin 2016, as defenseman Johnny Boychuk will miss four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. He suffered what appeared to be a shoulder injury in a Dec. 31 game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Boychuk is a key part of the Islanders lineup. He's their top defenseman, logging big minutes in all situations. His absence leaves a big hole on their blue line, especially with Travis Hamonic also on the shelf for the next two or three weeks.
Since Boychuk's injury, the Islanders are struggling for wins. As they jockey for playoff position in the Eastern Conference, every game without Boychuk could be a significant liability. The Isles will be looking forward to his (and Hamonic's) return.
9. Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues
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St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz's season was cut short on Oct. 23, when he fractured his left ankle during practice. Following surgery, he was expected to miss 12 weeks, or 41 games of this season. He should return to the lineup following the upcoming NHL All-Star break.
Overshadowed at times by the exploits of talented linemate Vladimir Tarasenko, the 23-year-old Schwartz is a key part of the Blues' offensive attack. In 78 games last season, he scored 28 goals and 35 assists for 63 points. While the Blues currently hold a playoff berth, they've felt his absence. After finishing fifth in goals last season, they are 15th in that category this year.
Schwartz's return should improve the Blues' sagging offensive numbers. He'll also provide some much-needed depth to their injury-ravaged lineup over the remainder of this season.
8. Robin Lehner, Buffalo Sabres
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Goaltender Robin Lehner's debut with the Buffalo Sabres was very short. The 24-year-old suffered a high-ankle sprain midway through the Sabres' season opener on Oct. 8 against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. The initial prognosis had Lehner missing six to 10 weeks, but his absence stretched into January.
With Lehner out, the rebuilding Sabres relied on backups Chad Johnson and Linus Ullmark. Both have put up decent numbers, but they aren't considered starter material. The Sabres could have been higher in the standings with a healthy Lehner between the pipes in the first half of the season.
On Jan. 11, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reported Lehner could make his return in one of two home games this weekend. While his return likely won't get the Sabres into playoff contention, he could help them reach a respectable finish in the Eastern Conference standings.
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7 and 6. James Van Riemsdyk and James Reimer, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Since Nov. 23, a lower-body injury limited Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer to appearing in only two games in December. On Jan. 11, the club announced left wing James van Riemsdyk will miss six to eight weeks to a non-displaced fracture in his left foot.
Prior to Reimer's injury, he was off to the best start of his NHL career. Indeed, his goals-against average and save percentage stats still rank among the league's best this season. However, it remains to be seen if he can regain that stellar form. As for van Riemsdyk, he's tied for the Leafs' scoring lead and was on pace for 28 goals and 58 points before he was sidelined.
The rebuilding Leafs are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Had their best goaltender been healthy through December, perhaps they'd be higher in those standings. Despite Reimer's return, losing van Riemsdyk's offense could prevent the Leafs from gaining ground.
5. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
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Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid suffered a fractured clavicle in a Nov. 3 game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Following surgery, it was projected he would be sidelined for months.
The injury came just as McDavid was rising in the rookie scoring race. The Oilers were counting on the promising 18-year-old to help them make major strides forward in their rebuilding process this season. In his absence, they're once again mired at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
McDavid isn't expected back in the Oilers lineup until after the upcoming NHL All-Star break. His return likely won't boost their sagging playoff hopes, let alone his shot at winning the Calder Memorial Trophy. Still, it should at least provide the Oilers with a glimpse into a potentially promising future.
4. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
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Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky suffered a groin strain in a Dec. 8 game against the Los Angeles Kings, missing 10 games. On Jan. 2, the club announced he'd re-aggravated the injury and was listed as day-to-day.
Bobrovsky's injury came after he'd overcome a poor performance in October. Under new Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella, the 27-year-old netminder was regaining his former Vezina Trophy form. That was a contributing factor in the Jackets' improvement throughout November.
While a number of factors derailed the Jackets this season, losing their starting goalie was among the biggest. Since Bobrovsky was sidelined, the Jackets have won only five of their last 16 games. Their playoff hopes for this season are all but dashed.
3 and 2. Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning
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The Tampa Bay Lightning suffered the loss of two key forwards earlier this season. Left wing Ondrej Palat suffered a left ankle injury during a Nov. 7 game against the Minnesota Wild and was sidelined 20 games. Center and linemate Tyler Johnson missed 13 games throughout November and December due to injuries.
Losing two-thirds of their top line had a significant effect upon the Lightning's performance. In 2014-15, they were the NHL's highest-scoring club. As of Jan. 13, they've tumbled to 19th this season. While their scoring woes are largely a team problem, losing two of their top forwards for significant periods didn't help.
The Lightning are struggling to hold onto a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. If they hope to clinch a spot and stage another run at the Stanley Cup Final, they need Palat and Johnson to remain healthy and regain their scoring touch.
1. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price suffered a lower-body injury during a game on Nov. 25 against the New York Rangers. While backups Mike Condon and Ben Scrivens are giving the Habs decent goaltending in Price's absence, they're not on the superstar level like he is.
At the time of Price's injury, the Canadiens were the NHL's top team. Since then, they've tumbled in the standings. Curiously, the Habs have struggled to score during this time. Winger Brendan Gallagher's hand injury was a factor, but it's as if they're unwilling to take the same offensive chances as when Price is in net.
Price has only recently started skating again, but he's yet to begin practicing with his teammates. He reportedly won't be back in the lineup until after the upcoming All-Star break. As the Canadiens try to maintain their grip on a playoff berth, Price's return can't come soon enough.
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