Several star NHL forwards face injury challenges as teams push for playoff spots. Mikko Rantanen, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Laine, Mark Stone, Travis Konecny, and Kevin Fiala all deal with setbacks from recent games or the Olympics. Coaches and teams monitor their progress closely in this critical stretch of the 2025-26 season, even as off-ice business interests like an online casino software provider feel worlds away from the on-ice grind.
These absences test depth charts across their clubs. Fans track daily updates while players rehab. The Penguins, Stars, Canadiens, Golden Knights, Flyers, and Kings adjust lines without their top contributors. Recovery timelines shift with medical evaluations.
Mikko Rantanen’s Lower-Body Setback
Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen sits out with a lower-body injury from the 2026 Winter Olympics. He suffered the issue on February 20 while playing for Finland. Rantanen missed Finland’s bronze medal win over Slovakia.
Stars coach Glen Gulutzan shared the latest on Tuesday. He expects Rantanen back before the regular season ends on April 15. The timeline starts at two weeks but could extend. “It’s not days,” Gulutzan said. “We’ll see where it goes from there.”
Rantanen leads Dallas with 69 points in 54 games this season. The Stars hold second in the Central Division. They beat Seattle 4-1 in their post-Olympic return. Other forwards now step up to fill his role. Dallas mitigates the loss with lineup tweaks. The 29-year-old forward posted six points in five Olympic games. He dazzled with two goals and four assists. His absence creates a gap in the top six. Teammates like Roope Hintz also recover from illness. Stars management eyes the trade deadline on March 6.
Sidney Crosby’s Timeline Gray Area
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby battles a lower-body injury from Canada’s Olympic quarterfinal. He took hits that bent his leg awkwardly against Czechia on February 18. Crosby missed the semifinal win over Finland and the gold medal loss to the U.S. The Penguins placed him on injured reserve. They announced a minimum four-week absence on February 25. Recent reports suggest he could return sooner. The clock started from the injury date, not the announcement.
Journalist Josh Yohe clarified the situation. “There is a chance he could return sooner than 4 weeks,” Yohe noted. Crosby skipped standard rehab to chase the gold medal game. He skated solo and consulted doctors, but sat out.
Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 59 points in 56 games. The Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division. They chase a playoff spot after three years without one. His return could hit around March 18 or earlier. GM Kyle Dubas weighs trade moves based on this. Crosby takes recovery day by day. He called the injury new territory. Medical staff guides his progress. Teammates rally without their leader.
Patrick Laine’s Long Road Back
Montreal Canadiens winger Patrick Laine recovers from core muscle surgery in late October 2025. The procedure sidelines him 3-4 months. He logged one assist in five early-season games. Laine landed on injured reserve again recently as a procedural step. He practices in a non-contact jersey. Reports hint at a possible return soon. Trade rumors swirl as the deadline nears.
The 27-year-old snagged just five games before the injury hit on October 16. Montreal eyes his power-play skills. He scored 15 man-advantage goals last season. Laine weighs options amid team struggles. His history includes a broken collarbone and time in the Player Assistance Program last year. Laine posted 20 goals in 52 regular-season games. Canadiens hope for a full recovery by late January or February. Depth players fill his spot for now.
Mark Stone’s Undisclosed Issue
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone exited Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang shoved his arm in the neutral zone. Stone dropped to one knee and skated off, grimacing.
Coach Bruce Cassidy called it the upper body. He expects an update on Monday. Stone is likely to travel with the team to Buffalo. The 33-year-old winger tallies 60 points in 43 games, second on Vegas. Stone helped Canada reach the Olympic final. They lost to the U.S. in overtime. His career has been plagued by injuries. He has not played all 82 games in a full season since 2014-15. A fall wrist issue marked this year already.
Vegas adjusts without its leader. Stone drives the offense. Teammates step up as the Golden Knights chase the Pacific lead.
Travis Konecny’s Game-Time Call
Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny faces a game-time decision for Monday versus Toronto. An undisclosed issue kept him from power-play drills at morning skate. Coach Rick Tocchet confirmed the status. Konecny skated on the first line. Nicolas Deslauriers could enter if he sits. The 28-year-old winger fights through nagging ailments. Earlier this season, a puck to the knee forced him from practice.
Philadelphia grinds in the Metropolitan. Konecny adds grit and goals. His availability swings matchups. Flyers monitor closely.
Kevin Fiala Lost for the Season
Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala suffered one of the most serious blows among this group. Playing for Switzerland at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics, he sustained a serious leg injury in a collision with Canada. He left the ice on a stretcher and was quickly transported to a hospital for further evaluation.
Fiala underwent surgery to repair fractures in his left lower leg. The Kings later announced that he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season and will be re-evaluated after it ends. While a playoff return has not been ruled out, his regular-season loss is a significant setback for Los Angeles.
Before the injury, Fiala ranked near the top of the Kings’ scoring chart and played a key role on the power play. His ability to create offense off the rush and in tight spaces gave Los Angeles a different look in its top six. Without him, the Kings must lean more heavily on other forwards and may have to consider outside help to stay in the Western Conference race.
