“He’s been skating, feeling better, and not going to play immediately. We’re hoping that he’s back practicing with the team this week,” said Edmonton Oilers’ head coach Kris Knoblauch while providing an update on injured forward Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson has missed the last 11 games, and after the early prognosis, he wouldn’t miss any time at all.
It’s not perfect news, but at least it’s better than the mystery that was surrounding Arvidsson over the past few weeks. He left the lineup, thinking it would be nothing serious. Then, it was that it was radio silence as days and games passed. No one seemed to know what was going on and why his return was so delayed.
The Oilers will be happy to have him back in the lineup, even though he hadn’t gotten off to the best start, and the team is starting to string some wins together. Both Arvidsson and Evander Kane are the two big additions the Oilers want back in their top nine, but credit should go to Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin, both of whom have stepped up to fill in admirably.
The Oilers will love having options. That could mean some tough decisions, including potentially scratching Derek Ryan and having to decide if a very productive but older Corey Perry should be in the lineup every night.
Any Chance Arvidsson Has to Earn His Way Back In?
Ideally, Arvidsson comes in and finds his groove, proving he’s what the Oilers thought they were getting when they signed him — a useful top-six guy who can put up 20 goals. He’s been anything but that, and he’s shown that injuries are a bit of a concern. Should the Oilers take their time here and not disrupt the team chemistry?
On paper, Arvidsson is better than some of the options the Oilers are going with currently. But what should be on paper doesn’t always jive with what is on the ice. The Oilers are rolling right now and getting set for several games at home. If there’s no need to hurry Arvidsson back in, why bother?
