NHL Training Camp Injury Report: Ovechkin Sidelined, Larkin Out, and Engvall's Long-Awaited Return

The ice is down, the split-squad games are running, and the NHL's war of attrition has already begun. Before the puck even drops on the 2026-27 regular season, major franchises are scrambling to plug holes in their top six. The Washington Capitals are holding their breath on a lower-body injury to 41-year-old captain Alex Ovechkin, while the Detroit Red Wings opened camp entirely without top center Dylan Larkin.[1][3]

Ovechkin, entering his 22nd NHL season on a one-year, $4.25 million deal, missed consecutive practices this week. He had been skating on a top line with Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard before the tweak. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is playing it safe, refusing to commit to the captain seeing any preseason action. "Right now, we'll see how it goes this week," Carbery told reporters, noting the team will re-evaluate after upcoming practice days.[1][2]

In Detroit, the stakes are equally high. Larkin, who posted a career-high 34 goals and 67 points in 74 games last season, sustained an upper-body injury during off-ice training. Interim general manager Shawn Horcoff confirmed the center will miss the start of camp with no firm timeline for his return. "It's going to take him a little bit of time to get back from it," Horcoff said, though the club hopes he can ramp up before opening night.[3]

The Pittsburgh Penguins are already testing their depth chart. Forwards Blake Lizotte and Oliver Okuliar are both sidelined week-to-week. Lizotte, a gritty role player who logged 19 points in 55 games last year, is dealing with an upper-body issue, while Okuliar nurses a lower-body injury. The absences force head coach Mike Sullivan to evaluate centers like Tristan Broz and Hendrix Lapierre earlier than anticipated.[4][9]

Preseason action is also claiming casualties. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro exited Monday's 1-0 win over Detroit with an upper-body injury. Fabbro, carrying a $4.125 million cap hit and projected for the third pairing, leaves a gap veteran Erik Gudbranson may have to fill. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Flyers forward Denver Barkey left his contest against Washington after a heavy first-period hit from Martin Fehervary, officially ruled out with a lower-body injury.[5][8]

North of the border, the Toronto Maple Leafs are managing their own opening-night uncertainty. Forward Dakota Joshua skated with the AHL Marlies group on Monday rather than the main NHL squad. Head coach Jim Hiller declined to specify the nature of the injury, leaving Joshua's status for the season opener in doubt and opening the door for bubble forwards to steal late-camp reps.[6]

But the medical updates aren't entirely grim. On Long Island, 6-foot-6 forward Pierre Engvall made a triumphant return to the ice after missing the entirety of the 2025-26 season. Engvall underwent hip surgery last summer followed by ankle surgery in the fall, enduring a grueling year-long rehab process that tested his patience.[7]

Stepping back onto the ice for the New York Islanders' training camp marked a massive milestone for a player whose game is built on speed. "Felt really good," Engvall said following his first practice. "Just to be out there with the boys, get a good skate in and first practice to start the season felt really good."[7]