Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch updates Leon Draisaitl's latest injury status ahead of 2026 NHL playoffs

The Edmonton Oilers are experiencing mounting pressure as they head to the postseason without one of their most impactful players, Leon Draisaitl. The star forward has not played since mid-March with a lower-body injury, and it is unclear whether he would be available during the following playoffs.

Recently, head coach Kris Knoblauch gave a statement on the matter, providing some insight into the progress Draisaitl was making in his recovery. As the number of regular-season games is limited, the team needs to walk a fine line between caution and urgency as it gets ready to make another deep postseason run.

Kris Knoblauch updates Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl's injury timeline

Kris Knoblauch, the coach of the Edmonton Oilers, assured that Leon Draisaitl would resume practice in the foreseeable future, but he is unsure whether he will be able to play games. The 30-year-old forward has not been in action since he suffered the injury in a game with the Nashville Predators on March 15.

Knoblauch pointed out that although a comeback in the first round of the playoffs is possible, it cannot be assured in the case of Game 1. The coaching staff is keeping a close track of the progress of Draisaitl, and the recovery schedules are roughly projected to coincide with the conclusion of the regular season and the onset of postseason action.

Although he is not present, Draisaitl remains an important player to Edmonton, as he has already scored 97 points this season. His influence, especially in the power play, has been hard to fill. His absence has led to the Oilers having difficulty in man-advantage situations. This underscores his significance to the offensive structure of the team.

Team captain Connor McDavid realized this was a challenge, and the team had to adjust and go on a team effort. To complicate matters, there is no forward Zach Hyman, who is also fighting with an injury.

Oilers, who have been to the Stanley Cup Final in two consecutive seasons, are still geared towards momentum. With the 2026 NHL playoffs in sight. Edmonton might rely on its capacity to swiftly rehabilitate Leon Draisaitl and reintegrate him into the team.