Injuries Having the Biggest Impact on the 2016-17 NHL Season
Midway through the NHL's 2016-17 season, several notable players have suffered serious injuries. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, losing captain Steven Stamkos to a knee injury is adversely affecting their performance. Considered a Stanley Cup contender when the season began, the Lightning currently sit outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
The Lightning aren't the only club struggling with the absence of an injured star. Some teams, such as the Florida Panthers and Ottawa Senators, have had key players sidelined since the season began. Others, such as the Nashville Predators, could face playing the remainder of this season without one of their top talents.
This slideshow examines the injuries having the biggest impact so far upon this NHL season. We'll list the sidelined players, their importance to their respective teams and how their absences have affected their rosters. Feel free to weigh in with your views in the comments section.
10. Clarke MacArthur, Ottawa Senators
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Having missed all but four games in 2015-16 to a concussion, Senators left wing Clarke MacArthur was symptom-free entering Sens training camp in September. During a team scrimmage on Sep. 25, he suffered another concussion when hit from behind by teammate Patrick Sieloff.
MacArthur has yet to play a game this season. On Jan. 8, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported Sens head coach Guy Boucher said the veteran winger wasn't expected to return until late January or early February.
The Senators hoped a healthy MacArthur would bolster their production this season. They've tried to make due with Zack Smith and Ryan Dzingel on the left side, but both lack MacArthur's experience and gritty offensive style. Sitting in the league's lower-third in goals-for per game (2.49), the Sens must improve their offense to remain in playoff contention.
MacArthur's return in a few weeks could give the Sens that much-needed boost they need at left wing. Given his concussion history, however, concern over his health and effectiveness will linger over the remainder of this season.
9. Tyler Myers, Winnipeg Jets
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The Winnipeg Jets once again find themselves struggling to remain in playoff contention in the NHL's Central Division. Among the reasons for their difficulties this season is the absence of defenseman Tyler Myers, sidelined since Nov. 12 with a lower-body injury.
Acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in a multiplayer trade on Feb. 11, 2015, he's an important part of their defense corps. At 6'8" and 229 lbs, the 26-year-old Myers is a big-bodied, all-around blueliner who regularly logs a lot of ice time.
Before his injury, Myers was off to a good start this season. He tallied five points in 11 games and was averaging 22 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time per game. He also saw 1:41 minutes of power-play ice time per game and 2:57 of short-handed ice time.
Poor goaltending and injuries to other key players, such as center Bryan Little and right wing Patrik Laine, have also contributed to the Jets' woes thus far this season. The loss of Myers' size and skills on their blue line is the most significant.
8. Patrick Sharp, Dallas Stars
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After finishing atop the Western Conference in 2015-16, the Dallas Stars entered this season as a possible Stanley Cup contender. Injuries, however, sidelined forwards Patrick Sharp, Mattias Janmark, Ales Hemsky and Jiri Hudler. Of these, Sharp's absence was the most significant.
A respected veteran with three Stanley Cup championships on his resume, Sharp played a key role in the Stars' impressive performance last season. He finished fourth among Dallas scorers in goals (20) and fifth in points (55), bringing experience and leadership to their roster.
Concussions derailed Sharp this season. He missed 14 games from Oct. 22 to Nov. 17. A second concussion sidelined him for 12 games throughout December.
The Stars offense suffered as a result. Sharp's absence was among the reasons their offense tumbled a league-leading 3.23 goals-for per game in 2015-16 to near the bottom third this season (2.68).
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7. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
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The Detroit Red Wings' streak of 25 consecutive playoff appearances could come to an end this season. Injuries to veteran starting goaltender Jimmy Howard could play a role in the streak's demise.
Lower-body injuries suffered on Nov. 25 and Dec. 20 sidelined the 32-year-old Howard for 16 games and counting. On Dec. 23, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reported he could miss four-to-six weeks with an MCL sprain.
The setbacks came as Howard was enjoying a strong bounce-back performance. After struggling with consistency throughout 2015-16, he put up strong numbers this season. Despite a record of five wins, seven losses and one overtime loss, Howard has a 1.97 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
Even with a healthy Howard, the Red Wings would probably still struggle to reach the playoffs this season. Their core players are aging, and many of their young players have yet to reach their full potential. But if he hadn't been sidelined, they might be closer to playoff contention instead of near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
6. Max Domi, Arizona Coyotes
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An already miserable season for the Arizona Coyotes was worsened by the loss of top-line left wing Max Domi to a broken hand. The 21-year-old suffered the injury in a fight during a 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 8. He should rejoin the lineup later this month.
The Coyotes were already in a tough spot prior to Domi's injury. They were near the bottom of the NHL standings, and their playoff hopes were fading away. Losing one of their top forwards for weeks only made matters worse.
With 16 points in 26 games before his injury, Domi was jockeying for the Coyotes' scoring lead. Despite missing 16 games, he's tied for third with Tobias Rieder and only nine points behind leading scorer Radim Vrbata (24 points).
Having a healthy Domi probably wouldn't have improved the Coyotes' playoff chances. This rebuilding club still lacks quality depth throughout its roster. Losing one of its rising stars for a lengthy period was the final nail in the coffin.
5. Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
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Having shown some improvement in 2015-16, the rebuilding Buffalo Sabres were expected to further their progress this season. Injuries to several key players (forwards Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane and Tyler Ennis, defensemen Zach Bogosian and Dmitry Kulikov) hampered that development. The most costly, however, was the loss of sophomore center Jack Eichel.
The second overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft, Eichel enjoyed a solid rookie campaign in 2015-16. He led the Sabres in goals (24) and finished second in points (56). That performance bodes well for greater output from the 20-year-old in 2016-17.
But in the Sabres' final practice before their season opener, Eichel suffered a high ankle sprain. He didn't return to action until Nov. 29, and it took him several weeks to get back up to game speed. The Sabres offense suffered, sitting near the bottom of the league in goals-for per game (2.29).
Since his return, Eichel has 15 points in 21 games. He's on pace for 25 goals and 45 points. Not bad, but certainly not what he's capable of over an entire season. With a healthy Eichel in the lineup, the Sabres' offensive numbers would be better, and their placement in the Eastern Conference standings would probably be higher.
4. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators
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On June 29, 2016, the Predators shipped longtime captain Shea Weber to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman P.K. Subban. The move was expected to provide an extra measure of puck-moving ability to the Predators' offensive attack. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old's been sidelined since Dec. 15 by an upper-body injury.
Prior to his injury, Subban was among the Predators' top scorers. With seven goals and 17 points in 29 games, he led all Nashville defensemen in points. He was also among the Predators' leaders in average ice time per game (25 minutes and three seconds) and game-winning goals (two).
While not as strong defensively as the departed Weber, Subban is still a vital part of the Predators' blue-line corps. His injury will be reevaluated later this month. If he's out indefinitely, it could have long-term consequences for their playoff hopes.
The Predators are currently jockeying with several clubs for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. Having a puck-carrying, minute-munching defenseman like Subban back in the lineup could help put them secure one of those spots.
3. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
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During the Los Angeles Kings' season opener on Oct. 13, starting goaltender Jonathan Quick suffered a groin injury. Following a non-surgical procedure, the club announced the 30-year-old was sidelined indefinitely. On Dec. 14, Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times reported Kings general manager Dean Lombardi expected the netminder could return in February or March.
Losing an elite goalie such as Quick would ordinarily be a serious blow. He backstopped the Kings to two Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014 and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012 as playoff MVP. He's won over 30 games five times, including a career-high 40 last season.
In Quick's absence, the Kings have made due with backup Jeff Zatkoff and call-up Peter Budaj. Of the two, Budaj's performed surprisingly well. The 34-year-old won 20 of 35 starts, with a 2.09 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and four shutouts.
Budaj's been a key factor in keeping the Kings in playoff contention, but he could wear down under the heavy workload. With the Kings jockeying for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference, getting Quick back later this season could prove crucial to their postseason hopes.
2. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers
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After finishing atop the Atlantic Division in 2015-16, expectations were high for the Panthers entering this season. Unfortunately, those hopes suffered a significant blow when top-line left wing Jonathan Huberdeau suffered a left-ankle injury in a preseason game.
Huberdeau, 23, is among the Panthers' top forwards. Skating on the first line last season with center Aleksander Barkov and right wing Jaromir Jagr, he netted a career-high 20 goals and 59 points. Thanks in part to his offensive contributions, the Panthers finished eighth in scoring last season, averaging 2.83 goals per game.
This season, the Panthers' production has plummeted to 26th (2.29). Injuries to other key forwards, such as Barkov, Nick Bjugstad and Jussi Jokinen, contributed to this decline. Huberdeau's lengthy absence, however, is the most significant loss to their forward lines.
It was hoped Huberdeau would return later this month. On Jan. 13, however, George Richards of the Miami Herald reported he'll be sidelined until March. That could hurt the Panthers' chances of securing a playoff spot.
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
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Having reached the 2015 Stanley Cup Final and last season's Eastern Conference Finals, the Lightning were considered Cup contenders for 2016-17. Injuries, however, have taken a toll upon their performance. Several notable players, including Ben Bishop, Ryan Callahan, Jonathan Drouin, Ondrej Palat and Anton Stralman, were sidelined at various points.
Stamkos' injury, however, is the most significant. On Nov. 15, the Lightning captain suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee during a game against Detroit. On Jan. 8, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reported Stamkos could return sometime in March.
Prior to Stamkos' injury, the Lightning had a record of 10 wins, six losses and one overtime loss and held a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Since his absence, they won 10 games, lost 14, dropped three in overtime and fallen out of the playoff picture.
Other factors are contributing to the Lightning's struggles. Their goaltending (2.95 goals-against per game) is among the league's worst. They need another top-four defenseman, their penalty-killing percentage (79.9) is in the bottom third and they're giving up a high number (30.3) of shots-against per game.
While the Lightning are averaging 2.75 goals-for per game, they're missing Stamkos' leadership and his big shot. In the 27 games since he was sidelined, they've scored more than two goals in 13 of them.
Player and team stats (as of Jan. 15, 2017) via NHL.com.
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