NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: April 9, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Injury Woes Mount as Playoff Push Nears

The injury bug is heavily impacting several contenders as the regular season winds down, forcing key personnel off the ice. Colorado forward Nazem Kadri is expected to miss an undetermined number of games after sustaining a finger injury, according to coach Jared Bednar, while the Hurricanes will be without defenseman Jalen Chatfield due to a lower-body issue; Chatfield has contributed a career-high 15 assists this season. Further south, Buffalo Sabres goalie Alex Lyon may also be sidelined for the opening games of the postseason after suffering a strained lower-body muscle, coach Lindy Ruff confirmed Thursday. The grim injury news contrasts sharply with a positive return for Ottawa, as Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot is slated to play just 17 days after breaking his arm, returning to the lineup for the matchup against the Panthers.

Franchise Management & Roster Moves

While several teams battle health scares, others are dealing with structural concerns or making immediate roster adjustments. The New Jersey Devils are shutting down defenseman Luke Hughes to undergo an undisclosed procedure, signaling the end of his active participation for the current campaign. Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken co-owner Tod Leiweke expressed commitment to rectifying the team’s performance issues, stating the organization is "committed to fixing it" as the club nears playoff elimination. In minor-league movement, the Minnesota Wild officially signed defenseman Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, a former UConn standout, to a two-year, entry-level contract that immediately takes effect this season, adding organizational depth on the blue line.