NHL Injury Report Week 8: Jacob Markstrom, Taylor Hall & Dylan Larkin Injury Updates
Welcome to another edition of the Fantasy Hockey Injury Report. Every week, we will discuss some key injuries around the league and how they may affect your fantasy hockey team. It’s never easy to deal with the injury bug, but it doesn’t have to be the demise of your fantasy hockey team. Let’s take a look at who’s dealing with what this week!
Jacob Markstrom - Calgary Flames - Illness
Jacob Markstrom was unavailable on Tuesday due to illness and is considered day-to-day. The team has said that he is dealing with the flu, so it could take a few days before his energy is high enough to be game-ready. Calgary is in action on Thursday, so we could see Markstrom suit up for that game, but realistically, we might see him return over the weekend.
Taylor Hall - Chicago Blackhawks - Knee
Taylor Hall’s first season with the Blackhawks is officially over. The veteran winger underwent knee surgery and is done for the rest of the season. The team is down two of its veterans who were brought in to support Connor Bedard. Hall tried to play through it, but in the end, the team decided that it was best to shut him down and let him spend the season to recover. He finishes the season with two goals, two assists in ten games.
Dylan Larkin - Detroit Red Wings - Undisclosed
Dylan Larkin is expected to be out of the lineup for at least one game due to an undisclosed injury. The Wings captain sustained this mystery injury either against the Minnesota Wild or in practice, but whatever it is, he’s going to need to sit out one game to be able to deal with it. We should get an update as the week goes on, but there is still a chance that he can return for the weekend.
Dougie Hamilton - New Jersey Devils - Upper-body
Dougie Hamilton injured himself against the New York Islanders and is considered day-to-day. He hurt himself in the second period and didn’t play a minute in the third period. We should get an update as the week moves on, but the Devils are hoping that he isn’t out of the lineup long-term. With Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier back in the lineup, it would be a shame if Hamilton were to miss any time.
Tomas Hertl - San Jose Sharks - Abdomen
Tomas Hertl missed the team’s last game due to an abdomen injury and his status for the rest of the week is still up in the air. Hertl is by far the best player on the team, so if he were to be out of the lineup long-term that would really be a huge blow. We don’t know how serious the injury is, so we should get an update as the week moves on. For now, treat the situation as day-to-day and wait for the team to provide us with another update.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.