Injury Bug Hits NHL: Rangers' Trocheck and Others Facing Extended Absences
New York Rangers Suffer Big Blow as Vincent Trocheck Goes on Long-Term Injured Reserve
The New York Rangers have become the latest NHL team to face injury woes early in the 2025-26 season. On Wednesday, the franchise announced that center Vincent Trocheck has been placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) due to an upper-body injury, sidelining him until at least November 1.
Trocheck's injury occurred during a 4-0 victory against the Buffalo Sabres last Thursday and was further confirmed during Saturday's 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he did not participate. With Trocheck out, head coach Mike Sullivan is adjusting his roster strategy, shifting Mika Zibanejad to center the top line alongside Artemi Panarin and Alex Lafreniere.
More NHL Injury Updates
The injury issues aren’t isolated to the Rangers. The Florida Panthers announced that defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will miss five months following surgery for a labral tear. Coach Paul Maurice expressed concerns, noting that Kulikov will be sorely missed, particularly on the penalty kill. He joins teammates Aleksander Barkov, Mathew Tkachuk, and Tomas Nosek on the injury shelf.
In a similar vein, the New Jersey Devils' goaltending situation has taken a hit. Coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that netminder Jacob Markstrom is likely to be out for a couple of weeks due to a lower-body injury sustained while filling in for Jake Allen, who also left the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with cramping. This opens the door for third-string goalie Nico Daws, who was recalled from the AHL's Utica Comets.
Senators Hope for Positive News on Captain Tkachuk
The Ottawa Senators are also navigating a challenging start to their season with captain Brady Tkachuk estimated to miss four weeks due to a right hand injury. Team owner Michael Andlauer stated Tkachuk is seeking a second opinion to determine if surgery is necessary, which could dictate his return timeline.
As teams adapt to these changes, they will need to maintain their performance amidst a growing list of injury absences. As the NHL season progresses, fans and teams alike hope for a swift recovery for all impacted players.
