Welcome back to another NHL season! There’s no question that October is the best month for sports; baseball playoffs have started, the NFL is in full swing, and the NHL season is about to begin. With that, fantasy hockey is also about to commence. A ton has been happening in the preseason, but it’s time for the real games to get underway. Let’s take a look at some injuries that you need to keep an eye on and which players should be on your radar for the waiver wire.

 

 


Fantasy Hockey Week 1 Injury Report
Jeremy Swayman - Boston Bruins - Contract dispute

It’s not injury-related, but it’s still something to monitor. Jeremy Swayman and Boston have *FINALLY* come to a contract agreement, so now it’s about how long will it take Swayman to get up to speed. He hasn’t been with the team this entire time, so it could take a week or two before he’s ready to see some game action. For now, it’s something to keep an eye on, especially if you took him as a top goalie in fantasy hockey.


Jason Robertson - Dallas Stars - Foot

Stars forward Jason Robertson has missed the entire preseason after undergoing a minor surgery on his foot but reports out of camp say he should be ready for opening night. He took part in his first practice and there was no indication that something was wrong. He is expected to play on October 10th, but there might be some rust to shake off. Still, once he’s cleared to play, there’s no reason to look back.


Ilya Sorokin - New York Islanders - Back

Ilya Sorokin has not played a single game in the preseason and his status for opening night is very much up in the air. He is recovering from a back injury and those tend to take some time when you’re a goalie. Head coach Patrick Roy has also been very vague, quote “(we’re) taking it one day at a time.” That doesn’t sound very promising. Semyon Varlamov is expected to take over the blue paint while Sorokin gets ready for game action.


Macklin Celebrini - San Jose Sharks - Lower-body

The 2024 1st round pick is dealing with a lower-body injury and his status for opening night is day-to-day. Celebrini didn’t play in Saturday’s final preseason game, but that might have been by design. The team has said that what he is dealing with isn’t serious and that he should be ready to go. Still, we’ll wait for more information from the team just to make sure everything truly is fine. Celebrini is an early favorite for Rookie of the Year and is expected to be a major part of the Sharks' future. 


 

Fantasy Hockey Week 1 Waiver Wire

Matthew Knies - Toronto Maple Leafs - Yahoo!: 29% owned

It’s not every day that you can find a top-line winger on a high-scoring team on the waiver wire, but here we are. Matthew Knies could have a really good season if he can stick on the top line. Playing with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner is probably the best setup for him. He isn’t going to see any top power play time, so that does limit his upside, but the potential for him to finish with 60-plus points is there. He’s a great early-season pickup.


Casey Mittelstadt - Colorado Avalanche - Yahoo!: 19% owned

The Colorado Avalanche are a really good hockey team, but they are lacking depth. We know Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are going to lead the way for this squad, but you can’t rely on just one line to produce every night. Casey Mittelstadt is centring the second line but is also seeing some time on the top power play unit. With so many regulars out of the lineup to start the year, the former Buffalo Sabre has a chance to really have a strong start to the season. He’s in a position to produce, but it may not last for the entire season.


Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens - Yahoo!: 46% owned

I know some of you are going to say that I’m just being a homer and that Lane Hutson isn’t going to make enough of an impact in fantasy hockey this year, but I promise you, this kid is HIM! Hutson has a ton of skill and is such a great skater. He’s proven that from the moment he showed up at training camp. At this point, he’s a lock to be on the opening night roster. He’s projected to finish with close to 50 points this season, which is good for a defenceman, but for a rookie playing the position, that’s elite. He going to have to earn his ice time on the power play, but considering the Habs failed to score a single goal on the man advantage in the preseason, there’s no harm in giving him a long leash to showcase his skill. Don’t let this moment pass you, grab Hutson if he’s on the waiver wire and thank me later.


Arturs Silovs - Vancouver Canucks - Yahoo!: 29% owned 

I don’t think many hockey fans had Arturs Silovs as the goalie to start opening night for the Vancouver Canucks, but that’s how it’s probably going to lineup up. Thatcher Demko is skating and practicing, but he is still dealing with a knee issue and we have no idea how long this could keep him out of the lineup. We know it’s something that no NHL goalie has ever had to deal with and that he had a setback during the summer. It’s obviously not ideal, but Silovs showed last year in the playoffs that he can handle the starter's role. He’s an option as long as he is starting games and playing well.