Two of the Edmonton Oilers’ more seasoned players will be out of the lineup for some time.
General manager Ken Holland revealed during a press conference on Thursday that defenseman Duncan Keith will be out for two to four weeks due to a concussion, and right winger Zack Kassian will miss the next four to eight weeks due to a fractured jaw.
The injuries happened to both players on Wednesday night during a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
In 35 games with the Oilers in 2021–22, Kassian, 31, has five goals and nine assists for the team. This is his seventh season in Edmonton.
In 35 games during his rookie campaign with the Oilers, 38-year-old Keith has one goal and thirteen assists.
With a 23-18-3 record, Edmonton is presently fifth in the Pacific Division.
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most recent injuries to the Oilers ahead of the 2023–2024 season
Here is the most recent information regarding the injured Edmonton Oilers players as the new season approaches.
When you consider how many games they play, the NHL season is perhaps the most physically taxing of all the major professional sports in North America. This means that both the Oilers and the other teams in the league are always at risk of injury.
Even though the 2023–24 regular season isn’t officially underway yet, several Oilers players are currently dealing with injuries. The most recent details about each of the team’s walking wounded are summarized here:
Maarten Ekholm
Last season, the Oilers made a brilliant trade to acquire Mattias Ekholm, who instantly improved the blue line. It is anticipated that he will have even greater sway and significance during the 2023–24 campaign.
A hip flexor injury kept Ekholm out of training camp from the start. But the official narrative has consistently stated that he would be prepared for the start of the regular season.
The 33-year-old’s position has only shifted in the last few days after he acknowledged on Friday that his injury has persisted longer than anyone had anticipated. Given that the Oilers will need him to be as healthy and fit as possible as the season goes on, it is not worth hurrying his return in this regard just yet.
Last season, Ryan McLeod improved as he established himself as the third line center. He advanced to the point where he was even given some playing time in the top six.
Because of this, there was some worry when the 24-year-old missed practice because of an unspecified injury during training camp. Currently, McLeod is classified as day-to-day; he did make a practice return on Friday.
It has always been anticipated, according to Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton, that McLeod would be prepared for Vancouver’s opening night. But nothing should be taken for granted just yet, and the Oilers are right to continue being cautious with him.
Sam Gagner has spent 16 years in the NHL, and while he has had some good seasons, he has never lived up to the Oilers’ 2007 sixth-round selection of him. And yet, here he is once more, serving in Edmonton for his third term.
Gagner dutifully accepted a PTO that the Oilers sent him in the summer. The only issue was that he had already had surgery on both hips and was only allowed to practice during training camp—that is, he was not permitted to play in any preseason games.
This month, the 24-year-old will undergo another evaluation, and Bakersfield may receive an option. He will, at the absolute least, give the organization’s younger players a more experienced voice and example of leadership.
Ryan McLeod developed as he established himself as the third line center the previous season. He progressed to the point where he was included in the top six at least occasionally.
This is why there was concern when the 24-year-old missed training camp due to an injury that was not immediately apparent. McLeod is currently listed as day-to-day; however, he did practice coming back on Friday.
According to Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton, there has always been an expectation that McLeod would be ready for Vancouver’s opening night. However, nothing should be assumed just yet, and the Oilers are correct to keep using caution when dealing with him.
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