Walman Setback: Oilers Finally Offering More Realistic Timeline on Team Injuries

The Edmonton Oilers are finally laying out clearer — and in some cases, more troubling — timelines on a handful of key injuries. Head coach Kris Knoblauch offered a full rundown after Monday’s practice, and while there’s some good news sprinkled in, the bulk of the updates point to extended absences.

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The bright spot is Noah Philp. The forward returned to practice and looked energized, a sign he’s inching closer to a return. Knoblauch noted he’s “another week at the earliest,” and with Philp eligible to come off LTIR this weekend, the earliest realistic game would be Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expect the Oilers to be cautious; a back-to-back return seems unlikely.

From there, the news gets murkier. Jake Walman’s situation remains the biggest mystery. Initially expected to miss a week, the timeline has ballooned well beyond that. Knoblauch now says he’s out this week and “unlikely for next week,” admitting it’ll be “a while.” Reports indicate Walman is dealing with a deep bone bruise from a blocked shot, which explains why progress has stalled.

Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen are trending toward a return “around Christmas time,” but no firm dates are set. Connor Clattenburg, recovering from a high stick that caused temporary vision issues, is roughly a week from skating again.

The Injury Setbacks Seem Troubling on the Surface

It’s not ideal news for a team that would love to get fully healthy, yet there’s a silver lining. The Oilers are rolling offensively and building real chemistry throughout the lineup. With no pressure to jam returning players in prematurely, the coaching staff can let the current group cook. Young players like Matt Savoie and Alec Regula are thriving, and avoiding disruption might be the best thing for them.

When the injured group does start filtering back, the Oilers should have a much clearer picture of who fits where and which combinations are too hot to touch.

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