The Carolina Hurricanes are facing a series of injuries early in the 2025-26 NHL season, with several key players sidelined. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has been out since October 6 due to a lower-body injury sustained in practice. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who missed most of training camp and all preseason games, played in the first two regular-season games but did not travel with the team for their current road trip because of a lower-body injury.
Shayne Gostisbehere, who was among the league’s top-scoring defensemen through seven games, also suffered a lower-body injury during a game against Los Angeles and returned to Raleigh for further evaluation. The team encountered additional setbacks on Thursday when William Carrier (lower-body injury) and Eric Robinson (upper-body injury) were both injured during a game after K’Andre Miller was unable to play due to his own lower-body issue.
Following the game at Ball Arena, head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented on the situation: “They’re going to be out, both of those guys, for it looks like an extended period. Tonight was a tough night for the injuries. And (K’Andre Miller), I don’t know what’s going on there; that could be a while. It’s tough on the injury front right now.”
Brind’Amour also addressed how these injuries affect the team’s lineup: “It’s tough because no one is going to feel sorry for you. (The players we do have) They’re going to give you their best,” he said. “It puts you at a real tough disadvantage, especially with the blue line being down, that’s really, really tough on the guys, but I know we’re going to give it our best, that’s for sure.”
With these absences, rookies Brandon Bussi, Charles Alexis Legault, and Joel Nystrom have made their NHL debuts during this challenging stretch of away games. With Legault and Nystrom available alongside other healthy defensemen such as Jalen Chatfield, Alexander Nikishin, and Sean Walker—who has seen his ice time increase significantly—the Hurricanes are managing with six healthy defensemen. If more reinforcements are needed on defense, Gavin Bayreuther and Domenick Fensore are potential call-ups.
Up front, Mark Jankowski may return soon if Carrier and Robinson remain unavailable. The team is expected to recall another forward from its AHL affiliate in Chicago by Friday to fill roster gaps created by these injuries. Options include Bradly Nadeau (if healthy), Givani Smith (pending immigration clearance), Juha Jaaska (currently injured), Justin Robidas, or Josiah Slavin.
Despite these challenges and ongoing changes in personnel due to health issues, the Hurricanes will continue their schedule with upcoming matchups against strong Western Conference opponents such as the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.
