Concern for Kasperi Kapanen as Oilers Forward Is Injured Again

Kasperi Kapanen of the Edmonton Oilers can’t seem to catch a break. According to head coach Kris Knoblauch, Kapanen is once again not fully healthy. This time it’s a new injury that will keep him out for at least two games. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned this season, it’s that two games or two weeks can mean a lot, given that Knoblauch isn’t the most reliable source when he shares injury updates.

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The Oilers got good news: Adam Henrique is set to return to the lineup when NHL games resume. Unfortunately for Kapanen, he’s dealing with “a little ailment” and isn’t expected to be a part of Edmonton’s first two games against Anaheim and Los Angeles.

The Oilers official site wrote, “It’s a disappointing development for the Finnish forward, who was playing well with two goals and an assist in his last four games before the break following a three-game absence that came after his lengthy two-month recovery from a different lower-body injury he sustained in October.”

Kapanen’s Injury History in 2025-26

Yes, this has not been a good season for Kapanen in terms of injuries. On October 19, 2025, he sustained a lower-body injury (described as a knee issue in some reports) during a game against the Detroit Red Wings. He was placed on injured reserve on October 23, 2025, and later long-term injured reserve (LTIR). This kept him out for an extended period, missing 36 games total.

He reaggravated it during practice in late November 2025 while nearing a return, causing major frustration and delaying his comeback further.

He returned to the lineup in early January after activation from LTIR. Around January 18, 2026, he suffered an undisclosed injury during a game against the St. Louis Blues (exited early after a fall into the boards). It was day-to-day initially, not considered long-term (unlike his prior knee issues), but he missed three games.

Knoblauch mentioned that it’s a different injury than the one that kept him sidelined for 36 games in January and February. While that’s good on the surface, online comments suggest there is concern he may never be fully healthy this season, which is a problem given the team’s lack of depth and production from the middle-six.

“I’m not sure if he’ll be ready for the first two games,” Knoblauch said. “It might be later in the week, but he’s feeling okay. Whether he’s ready for these first two games after missing such a long time, I guess we’ll find out, but right now we’re thinking it’s probably not going to be the first two games.”

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