The Recovery Room: Fantasy Hockey IR Rankings

Injuries are the ultimate fantasy sports equalizer. It’s the universe’s way of reminding us that sometimes luck will overcome logic. The Doc is in the house and it’s time to put that medical school knowledge to good for the readers of Sedated Sleeper Picks.  I’m pleased to introduce you to our first IR rankings of the year. I will be ranking players with 3 main criteria: how good the player is when at full health, how soon the player will return, & how likely the player will be able to return to their full abilities. So essentially, I’m trying to balance upside with return timeline. Let’s head into the recovery room and see how our patients our doing. (Note: ETR = Estimated Time to Return)

MACKENZIE BLACKWOOD (G) – Lower Body Injury

· ETR: October 9

· Analysis: Mack Black didn’t travel with the team to LA. Look for him to be back between the pipes back home in Denver on either Oct. 9 or 11^th.

JONATHAN HUBERDEAU (C/LW) – Undisclosed

· ETR: Oct. 9

· Analysis: Hubby-Dubby Doo is eligible to come off the IR as early as Thursday. He missed Monday’s practice, but given the undisclosed tag we will hope for a quick return.

DRAKE BATHERSON (LW/RW) – Upper Body Injury

· ETR: Oct. 11

· Analysis: It sounds like Batherson will miss the opener but it does not sound as though his absence will be long. Expect him to be back in the next few days as he did resume skating last week.

BRYAN RUST (RW) - Lower Body Injury

· ETR: Oct 16

· Analysis: Rust had a career best 65 points in 71 games last year. Usually riding shotgun with Sid the Kid, I’m bummed to see Rusty start the season on the shelf. Hopefully, it’s just a two-week absence but I will note the team used the terminology “two-week minimum” and coupled with Rust’s injury history, we certainly could be looking at a 4-6 week timeline to return.

JAKE WALMAN (D) – Undisclosed

· ETR: October 14

· Analysis: Walman suffered a setback in his recovery from an undisclosed injury on Sunday. Then on Monday his 7-year, 49 million dollar extension was announced. On Tuesday, the team noted it was unlikely that Wally would suit up in the season opener. Look for him to hopefully return in a week. Walman is a sneaky good stash for any Bouchard owner – if Bouch should ever miss anytime I have to think Walman steps right into his spot on PP1. Even without this potential promotion, he will get exposure to very talented forwards at even strength and also run PP2. 145 blocks & 57 hits last year proves that this is a guy who can do a bit of everything.

JONATHAN TOEWS (C) – Tweak

· ETR: Oct 9

· Analysis: Toews “tweaked” something during last Tuesday’s preseason game. It’s hard to speculate on a 37-year-old who has not played in the NHL since 2022-2023. All I know is that Jonny Toews is a dawg when healthy (Anyone watch that 2007 WJC semi-final shootout? That’s when I knew he was different). Hopefully this "tweaker" gets back on the ice soon. He was spotted skating at Jets’ practice yesterday.  

*UPDATE: (Alternate) Captain Serious will suit up for the season opener tonight

ZACH HYMAN (LW/RW) – Wrist Surgery

· ETR: November 1

· Analysis: Hyman was injured in game 4 of the WCF. He has since undergone wrist surgery and is supposed to miss the first month or so of the season. Hopefully Trent Frederic is just keeping McDavid’s right wing warm for Hyman. Maybe once he returns Knobloch would consider splitting up McDaddy & Uncle Leo.

MATTHEW TKACHUK (LW/RW) – Torn Adductor Muscle & Sports Hernia

· ETR: December 18

· Analysis: Tkachuk is a warrior, no question. He supposedly should not have played in the playoffs last year due to his injuries. Despite this, he racked up 23 points in 23 games during the 24/25 postseason. Injury prognostication can be difficult at times but especially when the player is dealing with 2 separate injuries. So, I think a mid-December return is something we could be hopeful of, possibly after the NHL’s holiday break. You know he is going to be motivated to play for his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

UKKO PEKKA LUUKKONEN (G) – Lower Body Injury

· ETR: October 18

· Analysis: Coach Lindy Ruff says this is a different issue than the one 6K had dealt with earlier in training camp. Either way, he will be re-evaluated on Friday Oct 10, making me think a multi-week absence could be possible.

ADAM LOWRY (C) – Hip Surgery

· ETR: November 1

· Analysis: Lowry underwent hip surgery in late May and was given a 5-6 month timeline then. This would possibly put him for a return in early November but it certainly could be in December or January, given variable recovery timelines after such an operation.

KAAPO KAKKO (RW) – Broken Hand

· ETR: November 14

· Analysis: When Kakko was placed on the IR on Monday he was noted to be at least 5 weeks away, so this is a bit optimistic on my part. Let’s see when the Choco Taco can lace ‘em up again.

JAMIE BENN  (LW) – Collapsed Lung

· ETR: November 12

·  Analysis: GM Jim Nill noted on Sept. 25 that Benn would undergo surgery for this and would be re-evaluated in a month. I would think the earliest return we could hope for is sometime in November, appreciating this isn’t your typical hockey injury.

MATS ZUCCARELLO (RW) – Lower Body Injury

· ETR: December 1

· Analysis: The Hobbit is expected to miss 7-8 weeks to start the season. He doesn’t shoot much, but it sure looks like he enjoys playing with Kaprizov (who wouldn’t?). Hopefully he will be back at the start of December, but at 38 years old that’s far from a guarantee.

ALEKSANDER BARKOV (C) – ACL/MCL tear.

· ETR: April 20, 2026

· Analysis: There is a lot to unpack here. This is certainly a blow to the Panthers, but it appears Barkov will be back from this injury hopefully by the time NHL playoffs start. Unfortunately, that likely makes him a non-factor in fantasy hockey this year. Rest up Selke King.

Let’s face it: your fantasy roster isn’t a team — it’s an experiment in IR management. You’re starting to wonder if you could apply for NHL disability benefits. But that’s the thrill, that’s fantasy hockey. One man’s broken collarbone is another man’s championship parade. So tape it up, sedate your expectations, and pray your players heal faster than your dignity after drafting Barkov.

Stay sleepy zzz