Fantasy Hockey Injury Roundup: Makar Returns While Stars Sit Ahead of Weekend

Hey folks. Today, we're heading into the final weekend of the fantasy hockey season, where championships are won and lost in the smallest of margins. Lineups are under the microscope, every category matters, and unfortunately, injuries to star players are once again taking center stage at the worst possible time.

At the same time, it's a sports weekend in full swing with The Masters underway, and Rory McIlroy giving fans something special to watch after a record setting start through 36 holes. Back in the fantasy hockey world, we're dealing with a mix of season-ending absences and one key return that could shift the balance in your final matchup. Let's dive in, as this will be a read unlike any other.

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Nazem Kadri - Colorado Avalanche

Kadri's return to Colorado was shaping up to be a great story - a veteran coming back to a familiar group, chasing another Cup, and giving the Avalanche some added depth down the middle. Instead, it's turning into a frustrating finish at the worst possible time.

Kadri exited early after logging just over six minutes in his last outing, and now he's dealing with an upper-body injury that will keep him out at least through the final stretch of the regular season. With the playoffs right around the corner, this feels much more like a precautionary shutdown than something Colorado is going to push. They've been extremely careful with bumps and bruises lately, and Kadri falls right into that category.

For fantasy purposes, this one stings a bit more than it might look on the surface. He's not a league winner, but he gives you steady depth across multiple categories, and that kind of reliability is valuable during a championship matchup when you're just trying to squeeze out every point you can.

If this were my team - even though he is my favourite player and I am thrilled he is a contender again; I'm moving on. As tough as it is to drop a recognizable name, you just can't afford to sit on a player who likely won't see the ice this weekend. At this point, it's about maximizing games played, and Kadri just doesn't fit that equation anymore.

Kadri has 16 goals, 34 assists, and 19 powerplay points in 77 games played as a forward. He also has 213 shots on goal, 50 hits, and 30 blocked shots.

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche

Keeping us in Colorado, this is where things flip in a big way. 

Makar looks like he's on track to return after missing time with an upper-body injury, as he's already back practicing in a non-contact jersey. Colorado has taken the cautious route here - and understandably so - but the expectation is that he gets into at least one game before the regular season wraps up.

And honestly, that's all you need.

We're talking about the best defensemen in the league and one of the most impactful fantasy players in the game, regardless of position. There aren't many players who can jump into your lineup late in the week and immediately tilt multiple categories, but Makar is absolutely one of them. Powerplay production, shot volume, overall offensive upside - he literally checks every box at an elite level.

No matter who else was on your IR, I certainly trust owners held him hoping for this exact news. Get him back in your lineup, and laugh your way to a matchup win!

Makar has 20 goals, 55 assists, and 29 powerplay points in 73 games played as a defensemen. He also has 192 shots on goal, 35 hits, and 117 blocked shots.

Miro Heiskanen - Dallas Stars

Not good news here for another elite defensemen, and this one feels a lot more definitive.

Heiskanen has officially been ruled out for Dallas' final three regular season games with a lower-body injury, which effectively takes him off the board for fantasy championship weekend. With the Stars comfortably in position for the playoffs, there's no incentive to rush him back, and this feels like a clear case of a team protecting one of its most important players.

That leaves fantasy managers in a tough spot. Heiskanen has been a steady, high-end contributor all season long, especially in formats that value all-around production from the blue line. Losing that kind of stability this late is brutal, especially when you've likely been leaning on him as a set-and-forget option.

At this point, I'd be planning as if he's done for your matchup. Even if there's a slim chance of a surprise return, it's not something you can count on during the final weekend. I'd be looking to replace the games and chase whatever categories you still have in play rather than holding onto the name value.

The only hold option here would be in a keeper league where he is among your best defensemen. In that case, you're stuck with a hurt blueliner with hopefully enough IR slots - but with how many stars (no pun intended) are being sat and rested this week, it's a tough spot no matter how you look at it.

Heiskanen has nine goals, 54 assists, and 28 powerplay points in 77 games played as a defensemen. He also has 148 shots on goal, 21 hits, and 132 blocked shots.

Roman Josi - Nashville Predators

Josi lands somewhere in the middle here, and honestly, that uncertainty might be the toughest part to deal with during a championship matchup.

He's currently listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury and was close enough to participate in warmups before ultimately being held out. That tells you he's not far off, but it also shows that Smashville is willing to be cautious, even if it means missing games down the stretch. For a player who plays such a heavy, physical style, even a minor issue can be enough to keep him sidelined a little longer than expected.

What makes this one sting a bit more is that, despite missing time earlier in the year, this has actually been one of Josi's healthier seasons in recent memory. He's been a consistent presence when active, logging big minutes and contributing across the board, so losing him now feels especially untimely.

This one really comes down to your situation. If you've got the flexibility to wait and you're hearing he might get back in, I'd be inclined to hold a little longer and see how it plays out. But if you're in a tight matchup and need guaranteed games, it's completely reasonable to pivot. Day-to-day sounds nice, but this late in the season, even missing one more game can swing things.

Josi has 13 goals, 41 assists, and 24 powerplay points in 66 games played as a defensemen. He also has 176 shots on goal, 22 hits, and 99 blocked shots.

Jacob Markstrom - New Jersey Devils

And finally, we've got a confirmed shutdown in net, which is always a tough way to end things for fantasy managers.

Markstrom has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season as the Devils shift their focus to rest and recovery. With the team already eliminated from playoff contention, this move isn't surprising, but it does leave a noticeable hole both in real life and in fantasy lineups.

Goaltending is such a critical position during championship week. You're often relying on volume, starts, and the chance to steal a category or two, and losing a starting goalie outright this late takes away one of your biggest levers. Even if Markstrom's numbers this year weren't at his peak, the opportunity he provided in net still carried value, especially in formats where every save and start counts.

At this stage, there's no decision to make here. You're cutting ties and replacing the starts however you can. Whether that's streaming matchups or leaning on a backup with a favorable schedule, it's all about chasing games and giving yourself a chance to squeeze out those final categories.

Markstrom has 23 wins in 43 games started as a goaltender. He also has an .883 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average, and one shutout.