Fantasy Hockey Injury Report: Five Big Names Worth an IR Stash

Hey folks. The NHL season is finally here, but unfortunately, that also means the injury list is already starting to pile up (and was already a big pile before the season even started). Several big-name fantasy players are either going to miss time or are dealing with injuries that could keep them out of the lineup, leaving fantasy managers with some difficult roster decisions right out of the gate.

Do you burn an IR spot on an injured star? Do you hold them on your bench? Or is the injury timeline long enough that you should move on and use that roster spot elsewhere? I'm taking a look at five big names and giving you my thoughts on their injuries, expected timelines, fantasy value, and what their absences mean for their teams.

These players are worth IR stashes and should be on your roster and ready for deployment upon their return, because I like the long game for these guys. Let's dive in and get you some information about these IR superstars.

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Connor Bedard - Chicago Blackhawks

Bedard is dealing with a left shoulder injury that required surgery in July, and the original recovery timeline put him around four months. That has him expected back sometime in November, although there still isn't a definitive return date. The good news is that Bedard has been skating and increasing his on-ice work, so things appear to be moving in the right direction. Chicago has already started the season without its captain and leading scorer from each of his first three NHL seasons. He put up 75 points in 69 games last season, so replacing that production is obviously a massive challenge.

The Blackhawks have had to shuffle their forward group around the injury, with Frank Nazar getting an opportunity to take on a larger role and Anton Frondell expected to see significant responsibility early in the season. Patrick Kane is also back in Chicago, but unfortunately, we have to wait a little longer to see the two of them share the ice. Kane has already talked about how excited he is to potentially play alongside Bedard, and I cannot wait to see what that looks like when Bedard is finally cleared.

Fantasy outlook: Bedard fell in a lot of redraft leagues because managers didn't want to burn a roster spot waiting for him, but I think that is a mistake if you have an IR spot available. This is an absolute IR stash. Bedard is already among the best players in the league, and I'm more than willing to wait a few weeks for that kind of talent. Once he returns, he should immediately step back into a massive role and could have Kane on his wing. Chicago is building something special around Bedard, and I cannot wait to watch him lead the next Blackhawks dynasty.

Seth Jarvis - Carolina Hurricanes

Jarvis is recovering from right shoulder surgery after finally addressing an injury that had bothered him for nearly three years. He had repairs to a torn labrum and rotator cuff in late June and was originally given a four-to-six-month recovery timeline, putting his return somewhere between late October and December. The encouraging news is that Jarvis has been skating in a non-contact jersey and said he feels a little ahead of schedule. He is still expected to miss the beginning of the season, but a return around late October or November is certainly possible.

While losing Jarvis is obviously not ideal for the Hurricanes, this is one team that has enough forward depth to absorb his absence without it completely derailing the lineup. Carolina has several options to fill his spot while he works his way back, and that depth is a big reason I'm not overly concerned about the team while he is out. Jarvis, however, is a completely different story. He led the Hurricanes with 32 goals and had 66 points in 71 games last season, and once he returns, I expect him to immediately step back into his top line and number one powerplay deployment.

Fantasy outlook: Jarvis took a dip in a lot of redraft leagues because of the injury, and I think fantasy managers should take advantage of that. This is a must-draft and must-hold player for me. If you drafted him, put him on IR and forget about him until he's ready. If someone dropped him, I would be looking to grab him immediately. We're talking about a 24 year old coming off three straight 30-goal seasons who is going to return to premium deployment on one of the best teams in the NHL. The injury is frustrating, but the fantasy value hasn't changed. Jarvis is exactly the type of player you use an IR spot for.

Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild

This is a scary injury, and a skull fracture is nothing to play around with. Faber took a puck to the side of the head during Minnesota's preseason finale, underwent successful surgery, and is now home recovering. The Wild have not provided any timeline for his return and have made it clear they will be following the doctors' lead. That means fantasy managers should not be expecting a quick return just because Faber was able to get back on the ice for a few shifts after the initial injury. He is out indefinitely, and there is simply no reason for Minnesota to rush him back from something this serious.

The Wild are going to feel his absence. Faber had a great season last year with 15 goals and 51 points while averaging nearly 25 minutes a night, and he was expected to play a major role alongside Quinn Hughes. Jared Spurgeon has moved into Faber's spot next to Hughes and is expected to take over his powerplay responsibilities. Even with those adjustments, replacing Faber's minutes and all around impact is a major challenge for Minnesota.

Fantasy outlook: I'm a little weary on this one. Normally, Faber is an easy IR stash for me, but the seriousness of the injury and complete lack of a timeline changes the equation. I also don't think the Wild are going to play around with his health or allow him to come back early under any circumstance. If you have multiple IR spots, I am holding him. If you only have one, I'm on the fence. Honestly, I would consider trying to move Faber to a Wild fan who is more willing to wait it out and get some assets back in return. If you can't find a trade, hold him for now and reassess when your next player gets hurt. Faber is still a valuable fantasy defenseman, but this is an injury where patience could be required for a very long time.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Edmonton Oilers

Nugent-Hopkins suffered a lower-body injury at practice just before the season and was placed on injured reserve after missing Edmonton's opener. The initial expectation is that he will miss around two weeks, making this a much more manageable situation than some of the other injuries on this list. He was expected to center Edmonton's second line and play important minutes on both special teams, so his absence does create some lineup juggling. In fact, his injury initially forced Edmonton to split Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, although the two were reunited for the rematch with Vancouver.

Fantasy outlook: This is a simple hold for me. Nugent-Hopkins has excellent deployment when healthy, including top-six minutes and powerplay time, and there is no reason to panic over what should be a short absence. He scored 20 goals and 56 points in 72 games last season, and that type of production combined with his role in Edmonton makes him well worth keeping. If you have an IR spot, use it, but even if you don't, I would keep him on the roster and wait this one out.

Zach Hyman - Edmonton Oilers

Hyman is dealing with an upper-body injury that has him listed day to day, although new head coach Mike Babcock said that designation could mean roughly two weeks. Hyman was injured during Edmonton's final preseason game against Calgary but still played over 20 minutes in the season opener before sitting out the rematch with Vancouver. He had 31 goals and 52 points in just 58 games last season, and Edmonton is going to miss that production while he is out.

The biggest beneficiary of Hyman's absence, along with Nugent-Hopkins being out, is clearly Vasily Podkolzin. Nobody is benefiting more from these injuries right now. Podkolzin has been thrown into a massive role bouncing between McDavid and Draisaitl, while also getting opportunities on the top powerplay. Through two games, he has four points, including three on the powerplay, along with 11 shots and seven hits. He is currently one of the most added players in fantasy hockey and is putting up points like nobody's business.

Fantasy outlook: Hyman is an easy hold for me. His deployment is simply too good to walk away from. When healthy, he is stapled to McDavid at even strength and plays on the top powerplay unit, which gives him legitimate 30-goal upside every season. If you have an IR spot, use it and wait this one out. The bigger fantasy story right now is Podkolzin, who has turned two injuries into a golden opportunity. I would be adding him everywhere I can, but remember that his role could change once Hyman and Nugent-Hopkins return. Hyman, meanwhile, is a player I have zero interest in dropping.