The Edmonton Oilers received some positive news regarding the injury status of Leon Draisaitl. Oilers GM Stan Bowman told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that, despite earlier reports, Draisaitl should return before the regular season concludes if his recovery progresses as expected.
Draisaitl is out with a lower-body injury that he sustained during the first period of Edmonton’s victory over the Nashville Predators on March 15th. The German superstar had to leave the game after taking a hard hit from Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt. After attempting to return for two shifts, the team shut him down for the remainder of the game.
The Oilers initially announced that Draisaitl would miss the remaining 14 games of the regular season. However, Bowman’s recent update provides hope that one of Edmonton’s top guns could rejoin the lineup for a crucial late-season push as the team fights to secure its playoff position.
Oilers Star Avoids Surgery
The most encouraging part of Bowman’s update is the revelation that Draisaitl will not require surgery. His avoiding surgery allows for a more predictable recovery timeline. It also eliminates the complications that can often accompany such procedures. Those complications require extended rehabilitation periods.
“If everything goes as scheduled, he should be back at the end of the regular season,” Bowman told Friedman. “Does not need surgery.” Edmonton will finish its regular season schedule on April 16th, with the playoffs beginning two days later on April 18th.
Draisaitl returning before the postseason starts will give him some valuable game action to remove any possible rust before the harsh rigors of the Stanley Cup playoffs commence. As for GM, fans are already pointing fingers at Bowman. If Draisaitl’s absence causes the Oilers to miss the playoffs, Bowman might be on the hot seat.
Draisaitl’s Production Will be Missed
The Oilers will miss having Draisaitl’s production in the lineup. He is fourth in NHL scoring with 97 points through 65 games played. The 30-year-old has registered 35 goals and 62 assists on Edmonton’s second line and leads Edmonton’s dominant power play unit.
His absence from the Oilers lineup will add more burden to the team, which is already heavily dependent on Connor McDavid. The captain leads the NHL with 115 points, but can’t carry the offensive load alone through 13 remaining regular-season games.
