Here’s your fantasy hockey injury report: Week 4. This week is headlined by injuries to John Tavares, Ivan Demidov, and William Eklund. As well as the pending returns of Seth Jarvis and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and more.
More Fantasy Hockey Analysis: | NHL Injury Report | Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Week 4
John Tavares (C, Toronto Maple Leafs)
The Leafs are listing John Tavares as week to week with a lower-body injury. According to the team, the “week to week” designation means an absence of up to six weeks.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 17, 2026
Timetable for return: Could be six weeks. The team has been incredibly vague so far.
Who benefits from this injury: Nick Paul (C), Gavin McKenna (LW)
This is a big blow for the Maple Leafs. They don’t have a center who can slide into the top six and come close to replacing what Tavares brings. His absence creates a massive void in the Leafs’ top six.
The Leafs have shuffled their lines, moving Nylander onto Matthews’ wing and moving Nick Paul into Tavares’ spot as the second-line center. Paul is a secondary scorer, not a play driver.
Losing Tavares opens the door for McKenna to rejoin the Leafs’ top power-play unit. He played 17:05 on Saturday, which has less to do with Tavares’ injury and more to do with getting out of Jim Hiller’s doghouse. With most rookies, there will be growing pains. For rookies in Toronto, they’re simply magnified.
Ivan Demidov (RW, Montreal Canadiens)
#Habs Ivan Demidov will be out for two to four weeks with a lower-body injury. #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey https://t.co/WEtBzCccYO
— Chris G (@ChrisHabs360) October 6, 2026
Timetable for return: 1-2 weeks
Who benefits from this injury: Zach Bolduc
Bolduc has been getting looks on the power play during Demidov’s absence. This makes Bolduc a solid streamer option in a pinch. He’s also picked up points in three straight and has six in eight games to start the season. Once Demidov returns, Bolduc’s value takes a big hit.
William Eklund (RW, Ottawa Senators)
The Senators will be without William Eklund for 10 to 12 weeks. The 24-year-old forward had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his ankle after the injury he suffered against Philadelphia on October 8 did not settle, coach Travis Green said Thursday. Full story: https://t.co/EpywGA33Zp
— The Orbit Post (@Theorbitpost) October 15, 2026
Timetable for return: 10-12 Weeks
Who benefits from this injury: Stephen Halliday
Losing Eklund for almost three months is a massive blow to the Senators. Eklund hasn’t reached the level of Demidov or Tavares, so replacing him shouldn’t be as difficult. That said, the Senators aren’t the deepest of teams. Halliday isn’t Eklund. When there are tendon injuries such as this, it always feels like players come back too soon. Don’t be surprised if his production isn’t quite where we expect it for the first couple of weeks.
Halliday is filling in on the power-play, at least for now. Keep an eye on his deployment; I expect the Senators to give Claude Giroux (C/LW) at some point. I would look elsewhere for an Eklund replacement.
Seth Jarvis (RW, Carolina Hurricanes)
Seth Jarvis could make his season debut for the @Canes as early as this weekend after recovering from shoulder surgery. More lineup and injury updates from around the League in today’s Status Report ⤵️ https://t.co/aED1T9CwAj
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) October 16, 2026
Timetable for return: This Week
There was hope Jarvis would make his season debut this weekend; that didn’t happen. He is travelling with the team on their five-game road trip. Last night’s game in Calgary was game two. His next opportunity comes on Tuesday in Vancouver. He wasn’t a game-time decision last night, so Tuesday is not a foregone conclusion. We might have to wait until Thursday for his first game.
Keep a close eye on his status; once he returns, he will slot onto the Hurricanes’ top line and first power-play unit.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C/LW, Edmonton Oilers)
🩹 | THE INJURY LIST | 🏥 -🅞🅐🅓 𝔽𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤: 2026 Edmonton Oilers Injury List Update v2 🏥 | • F/W-C~L, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Currently on Injured Reserve — To return next week, vs. CAR, or TOR https://t.co/4qAJgqsYvB
— -OAD’s -B.W. (@OADSBW) October 18, 2026
Timetable for return: Later this week
It appears Nugent-Hopkins will be joining the Oilers in the second half of this week. He becomes a must-play as soon as he suits up. The Oilers are scoring at will, and he will only make them more dangerous. Nugent-Hopkins will take his normal spot on the top power-play, which is as dangerous as any in the league.
Mikael Granlund (C, Anaheim Ducks)
Mikael Granlund (upper-body) is on the ice for today’s practice. #FlyTogether https://t.co/9zfuNSs0KI
— Derek Lee (@Derek_Lee27) October 17, 2026
Timetable for return: This Week
Granlund has joined his teammates for their four-game road trip and should suit up sometime this week. The fact he is skating is a good sign. The fact he is skating alone is a sign he should miss at least one more game.
The Sharks play back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday; it feels like a stretch for him to play Monday. Keep an eye on the Ducks’ morning skate to see if he’s listed in the starting lineup or as a game-time decision. However, Tuesday seems more likely at the earliest.
Rasmus Dahlin (D, Buffalo Sabres)
Lindy Ruff confirms Rasmus Dahlin will be out tonight in Toronto and is “50/50” for Saturday’s game in Montreal The Sabres Head Coach also gave updates on the following injured players Thursday morning: Alex Lyon was supposed to start Tuesday’s game in Montreal but had a setback in his recovery from an upper-body injury. There is currently no timetable on his return. Jason Zucker was on the ice for today’s morning skate and is getting “a lot closer” to returning fully Conor Timmins is “getting close to skating”
— Crossing Swords ⚔️ (@CrossSwordsPod) October 15, 2026
Timetable for return: This Week
Considering he was 50-50 for Saturday night’s game, I expect him to be ready to go Wednesday. Get ready to slide Dahlin into your lineup as soon as he returns.
This will bump Owen Power (D) off the top unit. I doubt this will affect his production, considering he has no power-play points this season
Roope Hintz (C/LW, Dallas Stars)
Glen Gulutzan didn’t have an update on Roope Hintz, who left the game early after blocking a shot. The third injury scare for Hintz in this young season.
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) October 18, 2026
Timetable for return: Unknown, awaiting update – Monday
Who benefits from this injury: Artuu Hyry
Hintz is a bit of a band-aid boy. Hopefully he’s ready to go for the Stars’ next game, but this is frustrating, seeing as this is his third nick already this season. It’s too early for him to miss any time.
If he misses any time, expect Hry to move up the lineup. He’s winning 65% of face-offs and is gaining his coach’s confidence each game.
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