The Edmonton Oilers’ injured list has been rather lengthy of late, so every practice as they approach the playoffs becomes that much more important. That was certainly the case during Monday’s morning skate, which provided plenty to unpack, including a mix of good and bad news.
In terms of positives, the Oilers welcomed Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman back in a full team setting, where both players wore grey jerseys and skated with Owen Michaels as part of an extra line. Neither will play against Colorado on Monday, though Hyman could be an option for Thursday’s finale.
On the flip side, trade deadline acquisition Jason Dickinson was absent again as he continues to deal with a leg injury he suffered blocking a shot on Wednesday in San Jose. He has no set timeline but will miss the final two games of the regular season, providing Josh Samanski the opportunity to handle third-line center duties.
Max Jones, meanwhile, was also missing as he recovers from a lower-body injury caused by an awkward fall on Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. Head coach Kris Knoblauch later revealed that Jones will be out for 3–4 weeks because of the ailment.
Full Details on Leon Draisaitl’s Injury Timeline
Reports from the skate suggest that Draisaitl and Hyman looked good and were moving well in the portions they participated in—no contact or battle drills.
Draisaitl, who has been sidelined since March 15, spoke to the media afterward and said he’s not quite sure whether he’ll be ready for Game 1 of the postseason. While he’s feeling good, it’s not an injury you can force a return from, so he has to think long-term for himself and the team. He didn’t want to dive into the details of the injury, but did hint that he knew right away something was wrong and that he couldn’t just push through it as we’ve often seen him do in the past.
If Game 1 becomes an option, there will be steps he’ll need to go through, including full clearance from the medical staff. A return for the playoff opener doesn’t seem especially likely, though Draisaitl sounded like someone eyeing early-round action—and that appears to be the expectation from everyone involved.
Next: Oilers Could Be Cautious With Leon Draisaitl Injury Entering Playoffs?
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