NHL Injury Update: Ben Kindel Returns As Zach Hyman, Jared Spurgeon And More Get Latest Updates

Ben Kindel is back in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup nine days after collapsing aboard the team plane. The 19-year-old forward has completed testing and treatment and returned to full participation in practice. His return is one of several lineup developments around the NHL, with Jared Spurgeon facing a week-to-week absence for Minnesota, Taylor Hall expected to miss more games for Carolina, and Zach Hyman placed on injured reserve by Edmonton. Several other teams also provided updates on injured players ahead of their upcoming games. 

Ben Kindel Returns as Penguins Get Three Forwards Back

Kindel fainted on October 20 because of a vasovagal episode, which causes a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure and reduces blood flow to the brain. He was cleared to travel back to Pittsburgh on October 21 and participated fully in the team's previous two practices.

Evgeni Malkin also returned after missing Saturday's 3-2 overtime win against Nashville because of an illness. Egor Chinakhov was back after missing two games with a lower-body injury. Coach Dan Muse said, "Everything is looking good (on Kindel, Malkin and Chinakhov)," and added, "So, expecting them in."

Minnesota Wild captain Jared Spurgeon is week-to-week with a lower-body injury sustained against Utah on Tuesday. He left the game after blocking two shots from Dylan Guenther during a penalty kill. Brock Faber, meanwhile, has been cleared to resume exercise and workouts following a skull fracture. 

Taylor Hall and Zach Hyman Remain Out With Injuries

Carolina Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall is expected to miss another couple of games because of an upper-body injury, according to coach Rod Brind'Amour. Hall has five points in eight games and missed Tuesday's 2-1 win against Boston after leaving the morning skate early.

Edmonton placed Zach Hyman on injured reserve because of a neck injury. He was hurt after being hit into the boards by Detroit's Andreas Englund on Monday. 

Buffalo forward Konsta Helenius will miss Thursday's game against Anaheim because of an upper-body injury and is returning to Buffalo for further evaluation. He was hit by Jacob Trouba during Tuesday's loss to San Jose. Sam Carrick, however, is set to return after missing four games with a middle-body injury.

Dallas, Los Angeles and Ottawa Provide Further Updates

Dallas defenseman Kyle Capobianco is expected to miss four weeks with a lower-body injury. He left Tuesday's game against New Jersey after a bump with Timo Meier.

Los Angeles forward Kevin Fiala has returned to practice for the first time since suffering multiple fractures to his lower left leg while playing for Switzerland at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He wore a noncontact jersey and remained week-to-week.

Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot will return against Los Angeles after missing four games with an upper-body injury.