The Edmonton Oilers announced on Tuesday that star center Leon Draisaitl will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season with what is being classified as a lower body injury.
The 30 year old from Cologne, Germany left the Oilers bench in the first period of Sunday’s 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators after receiving a hit from native Calgarian Ozzy Weisblatt.
Draistaitl returned for one more shift before calling it a night.
The winner of last year’s Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in a season at 52, Draisaitl’s season finishes just three points shy of 100 points at 35 goals, 62 assists for 97 points. Despite the fact that he’ll miss the final 14 games, the 3rd overall pick from 2014 has a solid chance at finishing in the top ten in scoring league-wide.
Top Point Producers: 2025-26 Regular Season
Connor McDavid: 115
Nikita Kucherov: 111
Nathan MacKinnon: 110
Leon Draisaitl: 97
Macklin Celebrini: 95
Mark Sheifele: 83
David Pastrnak: 82
Martin Necas: 81
Kirill Kaprizov: 80
Jason Robertson: 80
Nick Suzuki: 80
The hit, although legal, warranted retribution.
While Weisblatt wouldn’t drop the gloves, Predators defenceman Nic Hague had a go with Draisaitl’s wingman, Vasily Podkolzin.
The Nashville Predators are simply that kind of team. While they may sit two points out of a Western Conference Wildcard spot with time running out; they are guaranteed to take their pound of flesh in each and every game.
As for the Oilers, the team sits comfortably in a playoff spot with a six-point lead on the final Wildcard position. If Draisaitl can come back healthy after taking off the final 30 days of the season, perhaps the rest will serve as a benefit as the Oilers gear up for another run at the Stanley Cup.
Statistics courtesy of Cap Wages, Natural Stat Trick, and the National Hockey League.
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