Draisaitl back at Oilers practice, status for start of playoffs uncertain
Forward skates with teammates for 1st time since sustaining lower-body injury on March 15
www.nhl.comShort answer: As of now, the latest widely reported update is that Leon Draisaitl was sidelined for the remainder of the Oilers' regular season with a lower-body injury, with playoff return uncertain (updates surrounding April 2026). Several outlets cited the Oilers' decision to keep him out for the rest of the regular season after the March 15 incident against Nashville, and chatter continued about his playoff availability.
Details you might care about:
- Injury type and timeline: A lower-body injury sustained March 15, with official word that he would miss the rest of the regular season. The team later provided status updates as the playoffs approached, noting that a return would depend on his ongoing recovery.
- Playoff outlook: Early reports suggested a cautious optimism that he could return for playoffs, but multiple updates in April indicated uncertainty about Game 1 availability.
- Context: Draisaitl has been Edmonton’s top-tier scorer, so his absence impacted the Oilers’ lineup and power play, with the team needing other players to step up during the stretch run.
If you’d like, I can summarize the most recent, source-backed updates from the major outlets (e.g., NHL.com, CBS Sports, The Hockey News) and provide a quick, cited timeline. I can also track developments and flag any confirmed playoff return news as it becomes available.