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.

The Chicago Blackhawks got off to a promising start as Connor Bedard scored the opening goal during a power play, followed by Tyler Bertuzzi extending the lead. However, the lead proved futile, as the Seattle Kraken quickly leveled the score and went on to dominate the game, ultimately leading to a 6-2 loss for the Hawks. This defeat marked Chicago's fifth consecutive loss and their second straight 6-2 defeat, raising concerns about team morale and performance.

Coach Anders Sorensen pointed to turnovers and missed defensive assignments as critical factors in the game. Players expressed frustration with their inability to protect the slot and the high number of scoring chances they allowed. Despite Bedard's historical milestone of scoring 40 career goals before turning 20, the team is struggling to maintain any semblance of momentum, as they continue to face difficulties in maintaining focus and communication on the ice. The Hawks aim to rebound with a gritty performance in their next game.

The Chicago Blackhawks are currently spending over $30 million on players not contributing to the roster this season, a reflection of their rebuilding phase and financial strategy. Key figures include injury-absent players like Jason Dickinson and Laurent Brossoit, each commanding significant AAVs. The team's aggressive cap management includes retaining portions of contracts from players like Mikko Rantanen and Seth Jones, providing flexibility for future acquisitions. The Blackhawks are expected to see a considerable reduction in this spending next season, provided players return from injury and contract expirations unwind.

In the latest NHL updates, Buffalo Sabres' forwards Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens, alongside goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, are expected to return to action after participating in practice. However, forward Beck Malenstyn was absent from practice. On the injury front, Chicago Blackhawks' Jason Dickinson faces several weeks on the sidelines due to an ankle sprain. Nashville Predators' Zachary L’Heureux is day-to-day with an upper-body issue, while New Jersey Devils' Nico Hischier continues his solo skating regimen.

Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green remains hopeful about Shane Pinto's participation, despite his arm injury making him a game-time decision. Philadelphia Flyers' Owen Tippett is ruled out until after the Four Nations event due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, who missed the last game after an injury, has returned to practice but remains uncertain for the upcoming match. Evgeni Malkin is still on IR, complicating the Penguins' forward lineup.

Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson is set to miss a few games due to a high ankle sprain sustained during a recent match against the Edmonton Oilers. Interim coach Anders Sorensen confirmed that Dickinson, who has been one of the team's standout players this season, will undergo further evaluation after leaving the game wearing a protective boot on his left leg.

In 53 games this season, the 29-year-old has recorded seven goals and nine assists, contributing significantly to the Blackhawks' penalty-killing unit. The team has struggled recently, now sitting last in the league with a record of 4-12-4 over their last 20 outings. They will host the Nashville Predators next.