Fantasy Hockey Injury News: Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes and Michael Bunting Return, and Thatcher Demko Update

Today, I have some more injury updates for you, as several key players have returned to playing. Great news for their teams, and great news for fantasy owners!

We also delve into the up-and-down season of injuries in Vancouver, specifically in net and with their captain, plus we'll check in on the race to break Wayne Gretzky's scoring record. By popular demand, we're going to keep checking in on this.

Let's dive into each of these updates!

Returning Ranger

Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, who is their number one defenseman, has finally returned to injury in their game on March 15 against the Edmonton Oilers. While Fox only missed eight games, it seemed like much longer for the uncertain Rangers. He last played on February 25.

Fox runs the number one powerplay unit as it's quarterback and is a defensive bulwark for the team. While the Rangers try to make this finish push for a playoff spot after the abysmal start to the season, they have the tight race in the Eastern Conference to compete with. It's a blessing that Fox is healthy again. It is also a huge blessing for Fox owners, as your fantasy playoffs likely start in the next couple weeks!

This season, Fox has five goals, 43 assists, and 16 powerplay points as a defenseman in 59 games played. He also has 100 shots on goal, 33 hits, and 84 blocked shots

Canucks Captain

Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks has also come back from injury in the March 12 game against the Calgary Flames, where the captain notched an assist in his return. Another number one defenseman returning, the struggling Canucks definitely needed Hughes both on and off the ice. 

The Canucks are currently tied for the second wildcard spot in the West with 71 points, and honestly needed some good news or luck to come their way. With only 17 games left, Hughes' return could not have come at a better time. Let's hope for their sake, and Hughes' owners, that he remains healthy for the remainder of the season. 

Like Fox, the powerplay (and seemingly all five-on-five offense) runs through Hughes, so he is going to be a huge part of your blueline offense, especially in points leagues. Again, this is huge for Hughes owners with fantasy playoffs starting in the next couple weeks!

Hughes has 14 goals, 47 assists, and 23 powerplay points as a defenseman in 51 games played. He also has 144 shots on goal, nine hits, and 48 blocked shots.

Preds Grinder

Lastly for returns, we have Nashville Predator Michael Bunting. This grinder and depth forward has always been a sneaky good late-round pick for redraft leagues who has some sandpaper to his game, but can also put up respectable points.

Bunting was out with an abdominal injury, and given how much the Preds have struggled with offense, they could use the spark of some grit in their lineup.

This season, Bunting has 14 goals, 15 assists, and 15 powerplay points as a forward in 59 games played. He also has 111 blocked shots, 58 hits, and 13 blocked shots. Not bad for a middle six forward who gets second powerplay unit time and is owned in less than 40% of leagues.

Bunting is a decent pickup on waivers if you have a streaming spot or a hole in your roster due to injuries. He will for sure help your squad in your upcoming fantasy playoffs. Be mindful of his +/- since he is a Predator, though.

Who is the Starter in Vancouver?

Let's call a spade a spade here. Thatcher Demko was supposed to be the future of the Canucks' crease. From absolutely out of nowhere, third stringer Kevin Lankinen has stolen the crease, and the hearts of all Vancouverites.

Demko missed the start of the season, spent a couple months on the IR and returned a mediocre at best showing. He did have some really decent games before his latest injury, putting up two shutouts (one uncredited as he came on in relief, saving all six shots he faced), but I think the questions have really started.

Lankinen signed a big boy contract this year, with the Canucks locking him up for five years with a $4.5M AAV deal. Clearly the Canucks have put some eggs in his basket. I wonder when Demko gets healthy if this doesn't turn into a 60/40 tandem, or them trying to deal Demko.

Either way, let's see how he finishes this season. It has been reported that he is now back practicing with the team as reported by Jeff Paterson. If nothing else, this is good for the depth in net for the Canucks, and probably great for Demko owners. You know they are going to at the very least give him an opportunity to regain his game.

Demko has six wins in 17 games started as a goaltender. He also has an .891 save percentage, 2.78 goals against average, and one shutout.

For comparisons, Lankinen has 23 wins in 40 games started as a goaltender. He also has .904 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average, and four shutouts.

To me, regardless of how Demko plays in his return, for next year I would be betting on Lankinen to either be the number one starter, or getting the majority of starts in a tandem. Demko has only one year left on his contract, and he makes $5M AAV.

Great Eight, Eight Away

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is now only eight goals away from the goal scoring record held by Gretzky. Ovi scored on March 15 against the San Jose Sharks.

Ovi now sits at 887 career goals. Gretzky's record is 894 goals. This is still within reach this season, and I will continue to give updates every article until Ovi takes the record!