3 NHL stars looking to bounce back from major injury setbacks in 2025

The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs are still ongoing, with the Florida Panthers currently up 2-1 over the Edmonton Oilers after a big Game 3 performance earlier in the week.

Despite that, for the other 30 teams, the focus has shifted to the upcoming draft, the offseason ahead and the 2025-26 season.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three stars who will be looking to bounce back from injuries sustained this season.

Three NHL stars looking to bounce back from major injuries sustained in the 2024-25 season

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers - Source: Imagn

#1: Zach Hyman

A late entry to this list, Zach Hyman suffered a season-ending injury in Edmonton's conference finals series against the Dallas Stars.

In Game 4, Dallas' Mason Marchment laid Hyman out, and according to the winger, he knew immediately that something was wrong. The hit dislocated Hyman's wrist, and wound up requiring surgery. As he told AP News:

“I knew it wasn’t good when I got hit. Right away, I just felt my wrist kind of go on me. ... Quickly realized when I saw the doctors it’s something that needed surgery and something that I wasn’t going to be able to play through.”

From the sounds of things, he should be healthy again for the start the 2025-26 season.

NHL: Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens - Source: Imagn

#2: Sam Montembeault

During the regular season, netminder Sam Montembeault posted a 90.2% save percentage, marking his third straight season with a save percentage over 90%.

In the playoffs, however, Montembeault sustained not one, but two torn groin muscles in the Habs' first-round series against the Washington Capitals. Fortunately for the Canadiens, the injury won't require surgery, however, for a goalie, having two torn groin muscles is nothing to scoff at.

With the Habs looking to build on their first playoff appearance since 2021, the hope in Montreal is that Montembeault will be healthy for the start of the 2025-26 season.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes - Source: Imagn

#3: Johnathan Kovacevic

Much like Zach Hyman, Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic knew something was wrong during Game 3 of New Jersey's playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Depsite that, he managed to stay on the ice for the remainder of the first period.

While there's never a good time for an injury, Kovacevic's came on the heels of a stellar year for the defenseman, which saw him record 17 points over 81 games.

Unfortunately for the Devils, Kovacevic's injury did require surgery, and according to a report from Devils beat writer Amanda Stein, he'll likely miss training camp for the 2025-26 season.

About the author

Evan Bell is a journalist specializing in the NBA and NHL at Sportskeeda, whose love for the game stems from a childhood spent watching the Chicago Bulls. He has been there through their highs and lows, from the Jordan era to the exciting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah years.

Evan finds the 82-game season and the intensity of playoff basketball exhilarating, and he also revels in the offseason drama. Phil Jackson stands out as his favorite coach, whom he admires for his composed leadership and success in managing dynamic personalities like Dennis Rodman.

To deliver top-quality content, Evan fact-checks information while diligently keeping up with the action year-round.

When he's not writing, Evan follows tennis and Greek football, and also plays basketball and tennis.

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Edited by Rajdeep Barman