Injury management represents a critical factor in NHL success, particularly for teams lacking sufficient roster depth. While well-stocked lineups can absorb short-term player absences, even elite organizations face significant challenges when multiple key contributors suffer simultaneous injuries. This analysis examines five NHL franchises entering the 2026-27 season whose championship aspirations depend heavily on maintaining squad health throughout the campaign. Understanding which teams face the highest injury vulnerability helps predict playoff contenders and potential surprise performances.

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