2025 NHL storylines include Panthers, Ovechkin and Olympic hockey
The 2025-26 NHL season gets under way on Oct. 7. Sam Cardona-Norberg shares some key storylines.
Injuries continued to pile up for the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team when Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman left Monday’s game with an upper-body injury.
He hasn’t been named to the team yet but he played for the USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the world championships. Heading into Monday’s game, he was tied with three others for the most points by a U.S.-born defenseman this season.
It’s unclear how Werenski was hurt. He played 17-plus minutes through two periods but didn’t come out for the third.
Dean Evason had no postgame update on Werenski or on Mathieu Olivier, who also left the game early.
“You guys know both those players and if they leave the game, it’s not positive, that’s for sure,” he told reporters. “We’ll evaluate (Tuesday) and see where we’re at.”
U.S. Olympic hockey injury updates
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews could return from a lower-body injury as early as Wednesday.
Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk (thumb surgery) hopes to be back soon after Thanksgiving. His brother, Matthew, is still rehabbing from offseason hernia surgery.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy had surgery after being hit in the face by a puck. He’s expected to be OK for the Olympics.
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who hasn’t been named to the team, had knee surgery on Nov. 22 and is out four to six weeks.
Among other players who took part in the 4 Nations, forward J.T. Miller is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and defenseman Jaccob Slavin (lower body_ has been limited to two games.
USA Hockey must finalize its roster by Dec. 31.