Buffalo Sabres forward Josh Norris is reportedly skating on his own, leading to optimism about his return before the end of the season. Meanwhile, teammate Tyson Kozak has been sidelined due to a hip strain, projected as week-to-week. In Carolina, Andrei Svechnikov is being held out as a precaution, while Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars participated in practice but remains doubtful for today's matchup against Pittsburgh. Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss some time but could be back for the playoffs, joining Connor McDavid, who has missed six games due to a lower-body injury. The New Jersey Devils' Cody Glass has been playing through a nagging injury but will now take time off to recover.

This week in the NHL saw a significant number of injury updates that could greatly impact fantasy lineups as teams near the end of the regular season. The Buffalo Sabres are grappling with key absences as Josh Norris missed a game due to a mid-body injury, while Sam Lafferty was absent from practice. The Calgary Flames also faced setbacks with Mikael Backlund sidelined, while MacKenzie Weegar and Joel Farabee made their returns.

The Chicago Blackhawks are particularly hit hard, as Jason Dickinson is out for the season with a wrist injury, and Alec Martinez is day-to-day. In Detroit, the Red Wings are monitoring Elmer Soderblom, who will miss the upcoming game after re-aggravating an injury. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings’ Tanner Jeannot exited a game with an undisclosed injury, and Alex Turcotte is day-to-day.

Other notable mentions include the St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, who is skating but not ready to return, and Tampa Bay Lightning’s Erik Cernak, who also suffered an injury. The Vegas Golden Knights are managing Tomas Hertl's absence on a road trip, while Alex Pietrangelo is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. With the regular season winding down, these injuries could significantly affect playoff aspirations and fantasy rosters alike.

Injury reports loom large as multiple NHL teams navigate player absences. The Anaheim Ducks are facing a setback with forwards Sam Colangelo and Ross Johnston sidelined by upper-body injuries, missing their last game. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are dealing with uncertainty regarding Josh Norris, who missed practice due to an undisclosed injury, and JJ Peterka, who is out with a lingering lower-body issue.

The Calgary Flames are managing a week-to-week absence for Mikael Backlund due to an upper-body injury sustained during a recent game. The Carolina Hurricanes continued to miss Andrei Svechnikov and Dmitry Orlov, with the latter sidelined for four consecutive games. Nashville Predators forward Michael Bunting made his return from IR, while the Winnipeg Jets await updates on Neal Pionk's week-to-week absence and have Nikolaj Ehlers back in the lineup.

The Buffalo Sabres made a significant trade before the NHL deadline, sending center Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Josh Norris. Cozens has already made an impact with Ottawa, scoring three points in his first three games, while Norris has a single assist with the Sabres. GM Kevyn Adams is under pressure, as the Sabres continue to struggle and face a potential 14-year playoff drought. This trade indicates Adams is focused on immediate improvement, but it may also signal a last-ditch effort to save his job, depending on how well the Sabres perform moving forward.

Additionally, the Sabres re-signed veteran Jason Zucker, who has had a productive season with 44 points in 55 games. His stability is crucial for a young team, and reports suggest he will be a key figure in establishing a more competitive roster. Meanwhile, rumors have circulated linking JJ Peterka to the New York Rangers, but Adams has denied any intention to part with his captain, Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin's desire to stay with the Sabres, despite ongoing challenges, reflects a commitment that could be vital to the team's future.

The 2024-25 NHL Trade Deadline has reshaped the landscape in the Eastern Conference, prompting significant trades across teams. The Buffalo Sabres, despite struggling, managed to acquire Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker from the Ottawa Senators, exchanging Dylan Cozens in the process. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins opted for a rebuild, trading away captain Brad Marchand and adding younger players like Casey Mittelstadt and Henri Jokiharju. Trade analysis shows varying performance grades across teams, with the Bruins receiving an A- while the Detroit Red Wings, making minimal adjustments, were graded a C-. The Ottawa Senators made impactful moves to bolster their roster, while the Tampa Bay Lightning strengthened their forward ranks despite sacrificing valuable picks. Overall, teams are adjusting their strategies as they vie for playoff positions.