Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Week 2

Here’s your fantasy hockey injury report: Week 2. Big names such as Igor Shesterkin, Connor Bedard, and Alexander Barkov headline this week’s report. Along with updates, I’ll let you know who on that team stands to benefit from the injury.

Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Week 2

Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers

There’s no way to sugarcoat this one – just a horrible blow for Shesterkin and Shesterkin owners alike. He’s done for the year. Top-tier goalies are very rare. Which is why we covet owning one so much.

Timetable for return: Next Season

Who benefits from this injury: Dylan Garand, G

Garand goes from his first season as the Rangers’ backup goalie to becoming their number one goalie for the season. At least, as it stands today. He can’t replace Shesterkin, period. If the Rangers truly believe they are a playoff team, expect the Rangers to acquire a veteran goalie to ease Garand’s workload.

Igor Shesterkin suffers a lower-body injury after jamming his leg into the post. https://t.co/p5ZbQRWnHN

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 10, 2026

Alexander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers

On the bright side, this is a new injury and not related to the knee injury that forced Barkov to miss the entire 2025-26 season.

Timetable for return: 6-8 weeks

Who benefits: Lars Eller, C

At least at 5-on-five. Since the injury, it’s Eller centering a line with Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe. Anton Lundell remains the Panthers’ third-line center. At 37, Eller’s is in the twilight of his career and has never had a big offensive profile.

In deeper pools or in a week where Florida has a favourable schedule, Eller provides decent short-term value. In all other cases, you should have much better replacement options available.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov won’t require surgery to rehab his lower-body injury and is expected to be available again within six to eight weeks. https://t.co/krsYOFpaSk

— ESPN (@espn) October 6, 2026

Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Bedard returned to action last night and didn’t waste any time getting on the score sheet, picking up an assist in the first period. The big question this year: can Bedard stay healthy and shake the band-aid boy flags? As long as he’s on the ice, he’s a lock for your starting lineup.

Who benefits: Bedard and anyone on the ice with him. More specifically, Roman Kantserov, RW, who picked up his first goal of the season from a Bedard feed on the power play last night.

Connor Bedard is back! 🚨 https://t.co/XJNs1SXtk7

— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) October 14, 2026

Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators

Sanderson hasn’t played since leaving in the first period against the Maple Leafs back on October 3rd. When he’s in the lineup, he is a play-driving offensive defenceman. At just 24 and with two 50-plus point seasons already, you get the feeling he’s only scratching the surface.

Timeline for return: Day-to-day (still, two weeks later)

Who benefits: Carter Yakemchuk

He was called up on October 8th and has increased his ice time from 14 minutes in his first game to 19 minutes in his second to 22 in each of his last two. He’s also logged 4 minutes on the power play in each of the last two games. He’s been thrust into the top offensive role, whether he was ready for it or not. There have been some growing pains as well (-5 last night), which are to be expected. I expect Yakemchuk to be sent back to Bellingham for more seasoning when Sanderson returns. It could be a short-lived assignment if he has anything to say about it.

Sam Ersson starts versus St. Louis tonight. Jorian Donovan plays tonight. Nikolas Matinpalo out with an upper body injury tonight. Travis Green unsure as to how long he’ll be out. Could miss Thursday vs. NYI. Artem Zub and Jake Sanderson are still not ready yet.

— Julian McKenzie (@jkamckenzie) October 13, 2026