While Leon Draisaitl has come back in seemingly full force, the Edmonton Oilers are still looking at a timeline where they will be without some key players for a couple of more games.
When speaking to the media at practice on Sunday, head coach Kris Knoblauch told reporters that captain Connor McDavid, along with defenceman Mattias Ekholm and goaltender Stuart Skinner, will not be in the lineup when the team embarks on a four-game road trip against Pacific Division rivals.
He also mentioned that forwards Trent Frederic and Evander Kane will be joining the team on the trip to skate.
Knoblauch admitted that McDavid is expected to be back at some point before the end of the regular season, but the timeline is still unknown.
“It’s not going to be the next game or two,” Knoblauch said.
McDavid has been out of the lineup since leaving the team’s game on March 20 against the Winnipeg Jets with a lower-body injury. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner has had some imaging done, but it’s clear the Oilers have no issues in taking their time with their superstar center.
“We want him joining, we want him playing, but we’re not going to push something that might get worse.”
Per Knoblauch, Ekholm had been dealing with an illness prior to the 4 Nations Face-Off, before suffering an injury during the in-season tournament. However, the Oilers’ bench boss says that, while the Swedish blueliner is still dealing with the ailment, it’s something he can recover from while playing.
“It is something that can get healed, and he can move on and be 100%. Just needs some time.”
While Knoblauch wasn’t willing to give any names, he said one of the players who has been out of action might see some game time on this trip.
“There’s another player that might join us. He won’t be with us initially on the trip. Hopefully, maybe at the tail end, he joins us.”
Knoblauch was also asked about John Klingberg. The defender suffered an injury earlier this month after blocking a shot during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, and though he returned to the lineup last Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, the Swede was out of action on Saturday when Edmonton beat the Calgary Flames. Knoblauch confirms that Klinberg suffered a setback while trying to fully recover from the ankle injury.
Jeannot hasn’t played since the Oilers acquired him prior to the trade deadline, though he’s been reported to be nearing his debut with the team. Kane has been out of action since recovering from multiple injuries and isn’t expected to be available until the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With all of the injuries, Knoblauch admitted it’s tough missing key guys at this point of the season, but says it’s part of the grind.
“Last year, we’re very fortunate. What we went through was minimal. Right now, this is about as bad as it gets. You’re two superstars out, possibly your best defenseman. … Worst-case scenario would be those guys aren’t ready for the playoffs, and I think we’re very fortunate that none of those guys are even remotely looking like [that], besides Evander. I think everybody will [return] before the regular season’s over.”
Skinner has been dealing with an upper-body injury suffered last Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. Knoblauch stated that he isn’t taking any more precautions simply because he’s a netminder.
“When they’re ready after an injury like that, you need to be 100 percent. So, I don’t think there’s any, whether it’s forward or goalie, any [difference] in a situation like that.”
The road trip begins Tuesday with a marquee matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Oilers then visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday before meeting with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon. Edmonton will wrap up the California swing on Monday night against the Ducks.
