Several key players across the NHL are facing injuries and changes that could affect their teams’ starts to the upcoming season.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jason Zucker is expected to miss the beginning of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen did not specify an exact recovery timeline but indicated Zucker might be sidelined for up to two weeks. Zucker, 34, is entering his third season with Buffalo after posting 21 goals and 45 points over 62 regular-season games last year, along with two goals and two assists in 13 playoff games.

The New York Islanders will also be managing injury concerns with star forward Mathew Barzal, who is not anticipated to skate for the next two weeks due to an aggravated prior injury. Barzal’s condition places his availability for the Islanders’ September 30 season opener in Toronto in doubt. The 29-year-old is the team’s highest-paid player and led the Islanders in scoring last season with 72 points.

Detroit Red Wings captaincy and injury issues are also in focus as Dylan Larkin will miss the start of training camp on Thursday with an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Larkin, who requested a trade but remains with Detroit, has been stripped of his captaincy. He is under contract for five more seasons on an eight-year, $69.6 million deal signed in 2023. Last season, Larkin recorded 34 goals and 33 assists over 74 games.

In a leadership change, the Los Angeles Kings have named veteran defenseman Drew Doughty as their new captain following the retirement of Anze Kopitar. Beginning his 19th season with the franchise, the 36-year-old Doughty holds franchise records among defensemen in goals, assists, points, and games played.