The Edmonton Oilers are facing a precarious stretch as they prepare for the postseason, with uncertainty looming over whether Leon Draisaitl may not be ready by start of playoffs for Oilers. The star center, who is currently tied for sixth in the NHL in total points with 97 (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games, is recovering from an injury sustained during a matchup against the Nashville Predators.
The injury occurred at 4:20 of the first period when Draisaitl took a hit from Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt. The hit came shortly after Draisaitl had given Edmonton an early lead, scoring a power-play goal at the 3:12 mark. While he attempted a brief return for two shifts toward the end of the first period, he remained sidelined for the remainder of the game.
In a move to expedite his recovery, the 30-year-old traveled back to his native Germany to seek specialized medical treatment. The timing of this recovery is critical for an organization that has reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the last two seasons, only to fall to the Florida Panthers on both occasions. Draisaitl’s postseason track record is formidable, having posted 33 points in the playoffs last season and 31 points in 2024.
The Road to Recovery and Timeline
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has remained cautious regarding a definitive return date, noting that Draisaitl has not yet returned to the ice. However, the team expects him to initiate on-ice activity sometime this week, which should provide a clearer indication of his progress.
“If he gets in that first game (of the playoffs), that’s great,” Knoblauch said. “He’s not been on the ice yet. We anticipate he will be on the ice sometime this week and we’ll have an indication of how that’s going to travel. I’ll probably sometime in that first round.”
While in Munich, Draisaitl was spotted attending an FC Bayern Munich soccer match. When questioned by reporters in German about his availability for the upcoming playoffs, he expressed optimism but acknowledged the physical reality of his injury. “I hope so. That’s the plan, the reason I’m here right now,” Draisaitl said on March 21. “(The recovery) will definitely take a few weeks, that’s for sure. I hope we play long enough so I can help out again at some point.”
Compounding Losses in the Lineup
The concern over Draisaitl’s health is amplified by the fact that Edmonton is also without forward Zach Hyman. Hyman, who has 51 points (31 goals, 20 assists) in 57 games, is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is not expected to participate in the team’s current road trip. This marks another setback for Hyman, who missed the first 19 games of the season while recovering from a broken wrist suffered during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars.
Knoblauch suggested that Hyman might return for a limited window before the regular season concludes. “Hyman, I would think he’s going to play one if not two games before the end of this season,” Knoblauch said. “So, this week he’s out and not playing.”
The loss of two primary offensive engines forces a redistribution of responsibility across the roster. Captain Connor McDavid addressed the challenge on Monday, emphasizing the need for the remaining players to elevate their game. “Obviously, we’re missing two big pieces of our team and when that happens everybody’s got to step up,” McDavid said. “We’re focusing on this road trip and trying to get a couple of wins and we have to go from there.”
Impact and Team Performance
Despite the absence of their star center, the Oilers have shown a degree of resilience. The team holds a 6-3-1 record in games played without Draisaitl, a stretch that included a five-game winning streak. However, that momentum was halted this past Saturday with a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The team is currently navigating a three-game road trip, which began with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. The Oilers now face a critical set of games to maintain their positioning before the postseason begins.
| Player | Status | Key Stats (Current Season) | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leon Draisaitl | Out (Recovery in Germany) | 97 Points / 65 Games | TBD (Possible 1st Round) |
| Zach Hyman | Out (Undisclosed) | 51 Points / 57 Games | 1-2 games before season end |
Looking Ahead to the Postseason
For Edmonton, the stakes are high. The ability to integrate Draisaitl back into the lineup—even if it occurs mid-way through the first round—could be the difference between another deep run and an early exit. The team’s depth will be tested as they visit the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
The primary focus for the organization remains the immediate road trip and the hope that their medical specialists in Germany can return Draisaitl to peak form in time for the high-intensity environment of the playoffs.
Note: This report contains information regarding athlete injuries and medical recovery timelines for informational purposes only.
The next official update on Draisaitl’s status is expected following the team’s evaluation of his on-ice progress later this week. We invite you to share your thoughts on how the Oilers should adjust their lineup in the comments below.
