Positives Out of Oilers Skate Suggests Draisaitl Close to Return

Nothing is official, but there appears to be good news out of Edmonton, where superstar Leon Draisaitl was on early doing some testing. Draisaitl took the optional morning skate with the other skaters and remained out on the ice late, working on some shooting and board play.

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He looked good, and there were no indications that he wouldn’t be ready for the playoffs, even as head coach Kris Knoblauch couldn’t and wouldn’t offer an update today. Draisaitl said earlier this week that he had been skating for some time, but there were still steps to take before he could say he was ready to return. His injury wasn’t something he could force or push through without the risk of long-term issues.

Zach Hyman will return to the Oilers lineup Thursday night as the Oilers meet the Vancouver Canucks in the final game of the regular season.

The Oilers can no longer win the Pacific Division, but if they beat Vancouver, they’ll avoid the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, which should motivate them. Granted, the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings would have to get points for the Oilers to be bumped down to the second wild-card spot, but there are several possible outcomes by the time Thursday’s action is over.

The Oilers won’t have Draisaitl in the lineup for their last game, but he might be ready for Game 1, or at the latest, midway through the first round.

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