Five NHL Teams That Need Better Injury Luck During the 2026–27 Season
Injuries can change the course of an NHL season in an instant. While strong roster depth can help teams overcome short-term setbacks, losing key players for extended periods often has a major impact on playoff hopes.
As the 2026–27 NHL season approaches, several franchises will be hoping their star players stay healthy. Here are five teams that could see their seasons heavily influenced by injury luck.
Toronto Maple Leafs Need a Healthy Auston Matthews
Few players are as important to their team as Auston Matthews is to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Although Matthews continued to score at an impressive pace over the past two seasons, injuries caused him to miss significant time and limited his overall production compared to previous years. Toronto’s offense is at its best when Matthews is fully healthy and performing at an elite level.
If the Maple Leafs hope to contend for the Stanley Cup, they’ll need their franchise center available for the majority of the season.
New Jersey Devils Can’t Afford to Lose Jack Hughes
When Jack Hughes is in the lineup, the New Jersey Devils become a completely different team.
Unfortunately, injuries have become a recurring issue for the star center, forcing him to miss around 20 games in each of the past several seasons. During those stretches, New Jersey has struggled to maintain consistent results.
The Devils have looked for reliable depth behind Hughes, but replacing one of the league’s most dynamic offensive players remains an incredibly difficult task.
New York Rangers Need Stability on Defense
The New York Rangers know firsthand how much they rely on defenseman Adam Fox.
Whenever Fox has missed time, the Rangers’ defensive structure and power play have noticeably declined. To strengthen their blue line, New York added Sean Durzi, hoping he could provide additional puck-moving ability and offensive support.
However, Durzi has also dealt with injuries in recent seasons, leaving the Rangers hoping both defensemen remain available throughout the year.
Florida Panthers Depend on Their Star Core
The Florida Panthers were one of the NHL’s hardest-hit teams when it came to injuries last season.
Several important players spent extended time away from the lineup, including Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, and Anton Lundell.
Barkov’s leadership and two-way excellence, combined with Tkachuk’s physical style and offensive production, make them irreplaceable pieces of Florida’s championship ambitions. A healthier season from both stars could significantly improve the Panthers’ chances of another deep playoff run.
Pittsburgh Penguins Continue to Rely on Veteran Stars
The Pittsburgh Penguins remain heavily dependent on longtime franchise legends Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
As both players approach the later stages of their careers, managing injuries becomes increasingly important. Whenever either veteran has missed time, Pittsburgh has struggled to maintain consistency.
The Penguins still have enough talent to compete, but their playoff hopes will likely depend on keeping both Crosby and Malkin healthy for as much of the season as possible.
Final Thoughts
Every NHL team deals with injuries during the course of a long season, but some organizations simply have more at stake than others.
For the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins, staying healthy could be the difference between making a deep Stanley Cup Playoff run and falling short of expectations.
As the 2026–27 campaign gets underway, injury management may prove just as important as talent on the ice.