Injury Updates: Key Players Impacting NHL Teams

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks is dealing with a shoulder injury and will not join the team on their road trip through Eastern Canada, starting Tuesday in Toronto, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

Bedard has been impressive this season, registering 44 points in 31 games. In San Jose, Will Smith sustained an undisclosed injury against the Penguins, with no updates available post-game. The Sharks showed a strong comeback spirit in that match, with John Klingberg scoring the game-winner.

Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils is also sidelined with an undisclosed injury sustained during Friday's practice. Nemec was on a solid pace for 48 points this season but will miss time while competing for power-play opportunities against teammates Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy could return Monday against the Panthers, as he has bounced back after a rough start to the season, winning 11 of his last 14 games. Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken is expected to miss at least three weeks due to a lower-body injury, adding to his injury struggles this season.

Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders is day-to-day with a lower-body issue, with estimates suggesting he could be out for one to three weeks. Logan Cooley of the Utah Mammoth has been ruled out for a minimum of eight weeks following a lower-body injury.

On a positive note, Marco Rossi of the Vancouver Canucks has been activated from IR after recovering from a lower-body injury and was seen practicing with the team's top power play. However, Elias Pettersson has been placed on IR retroactive to December 5 due to an upper-body injury, with no projected return date reported.

Keeping track of these injuries is crucial as they significantly impact team strategies and playoff races, especially for fantasy players.