Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Week 1

In this week’s fantasy hockey injury report, we’ll update you on the status of some of the biggest lingering injuries from last season and this summer, as well as Logan Mailloux’s recent injury.

Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Week 1

Matthew Barzal (C/LW, New York Islanders)

Barzal did not participate in the preseason and is not currently on the Islanders’ 23-man roster due to a lingering knee injury. He did play 81 games last season. Listed as non-roster entering the regular season, Barzal has yet to pass his physical. This is a big blow for Barzal owners to start the season.

Timetable for Return: Unknown

Who benefits from the injury: Matias Maccelli (LW) – Maccelli finds himself entering the season on the Islanders’ second line and top power-play unit.

Some clarity on the #Isles Mathew Barzal front:

Barzal is on Injured Non-Roster, not IR.

That means he does not count against the 23-man roster, but unlike IR, there is no seven-day minimum.

Once medically cleared, he can be activated and play that same day.

— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) September 28, 2026

Seth Jarvis (RW, Carolina Hurricanes)

Jarvis believes he is slightly ahead of schedule in his recovery from the shoulder surgery he had in late June. The original timeline was 4-6 months. The early end of that timeline places his return in late October. Barring any setbacks, I would expect Jarvis to be closer to this end of his recovery spectrum.

Timetable for return: Late October/Early November

Who benefits from the injury: Jackson Blake (RW). Blake has been practicing on the Hurricanes’ top power-play unit and has the inside track to remain there until Jarvis returns.  Eric Robinson (RW) – Robinson has taken Jarvis’ spot on the first line. You should only consider Robinson in very deep pools. He will return to his bottom-six role when Jarvis returns.

After having shoulder surgery in June, Seth Jarvis feels ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Read more on Jarvis' injury and timeline to return ⤵️ https://t.co/d8sbe6506x

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) September 17, 2026

Troy Terry (RW Anaheim Ducks)

After hip surgery, Terry is primed to miss all of October and November, and possibly part, if not all, of December. Even after he returns, I would caution owners to temper expectations. Hip surgeries often come with a long-tail recovery once the player returns to the ice.

Timetable to return: Late November/Early December

Who benefits from the injury: Frank Vatrano (LW/RW). Vatrano is getting looks alongside Leo Carlsson on the Ducks’ top line. After three straight 20-goal seasons, Vatrano saw his ice time slashed by almost five minutes last year. With Chris Kreider also having departed, the window is once again open for Vatrano to grab top-six minutes. Not only during Terry’s absence, but potentially upon his return.

Anaheim Ducks injury roundup:

Tyson Hinds is back (lower body) ⬇️
Nick Jensen – lower body, could practice today
AJ Greer – upper, day-to-day
Ryan Poehling – lower, day-to-day
Ian Moore – lower, 2-4 weeks
Troy Terry – hip surgery, 2-3 more months@SportingTrib | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/YuCUk2Ydqb

— Zach Cavanagh (@ZachCav) September 19, 2026

Kevin Fiala (LW/RW, Los Angeles Kings)

Barring any setbacks, Fiala could return as early as November 1st. It’s been a long road since breaking his leg in the Olympics. He’ll join a Kings roster that looks significantly different than when he last played. Anze Kopitar has retired, and they have added Artemi Panarin (LW) and Mats Zuccarello (LW) via trade and free agency.

Timetable to Return: November 1

Who benefits from the injury: Alex Laferriere (LW/RW). Laferriere is set to start the season on the Kings’ second line. Laferriere has top-six ability. I hope that, once Fiala returns, the Kings rebalance their lines to keep Laferriere in a better offensive role. Mats Zuccarello (LW). Zuccarello looks set to start the season on the Kings’ first power-play unit. Once Fiala returns, Zuccarello is the likely candidate to move down to the second unit.

Kings health update from Ken Holland:

– 2nd surgery for Kevin Fiala, hopefully 3-4 weeks away from playing.
– Brian Dumoulin failed his physical, going for a second opinion, no clarity on injury.
– Mats Zuccarello fell last week, why he was in no-contact jersey.

— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) September 17, 2026

Logan Mailloux (D, St. Louis Blues)

After a really strong camp, Mailloux has suffered a hand injury and is expected to miss significant time. He not only earned a roster spot, but he was set to start on the Blues’ top pair with Philip Broberg. He was also getting looks on the first power-play unit at the end of last season and in camp. He’s listed as week-to-week, but won’t be re-evaluated for another eight weeks.

Timetable to Return: 2-3 Months

Who benefits from this injury: Adam Jiricek (D). Jiricek goes from being cut at the end of camp to making the opening night roster. It is hard to argue he benefits from Mailloux’s injury the most. His fantasy impact will be minimal, though. Broberg looks set to run the first power-play and will receive a strong offensive boost as a result. He’s not a traditional power-play quarterback, so once Mailloux returns, it will be ‘wait and see’ as to who runs it from there.

"That’s a pretty significant loss just because he was playing so aggressively, trusting his instincts, taking away time and space, impacting the game at both ends of the ice." — Mailloux injury comes at tough time after D-man's strong camp: https://t.co/vWDlEgzHdY #stlblues

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) September 28, 2026