According to a statement from the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the team has lost Leon Draisaitl for the remainder of the season. They write, “Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury in the first period of the team’s game versus Nashville on March 15.:
An awkward hit from Ozzy Wiesblatt left the superstar center from being able to continue in the game versus the Nashville Predators, but it wasn’t believed to be a serious injury. Kris Knoblauch even said he didn’t believe it would be long, given that the medical staff had given him clearance to try skating on the bad leg before not returning in the second and third periods.
The Oilers said Draisaitl is dealing with a lower-body injury, and while no timetable has been provided, Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos believes it could be a few weeks before he returns. It turns out the injury is even worse than that.
This is obviously brutal news for the Oilers.
Edmonton will have to pick up the slack by commitee and there’s no guarantee that the Oilers make the playoffs yet. They are not mathematically in, which means, even if Draisaitl is able to return for the post-season, the Oilers have to secure their spot without him first.
Draisaitl will finish the season with 35 goals and 97 points in 65 games.
Next: Oilers Offseason Shakeup: 4 Players Edmonton Could Move On From in 2026
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