Draisaitl injury puts more pressure on Oilers' defensive play EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers face a significant challenge as they navigate the absence of star forward Leon Draisaitl, whose lower body injury has forced the team to adjust its offensive strategy. Head coach Kris Knoblauch acknowledged the impact of losing Draisaitl, emphasizing the need for the team to simplify its game and prioritize defensive play. “Our game is going to take a dip on the offensive side of it, especially on the power play,” Knoblauch said, noting the team’s reliance on Draisaitl’s scoring ability. The injury, sustained during a hard but clean hit by Nashville’s Ozzy Weisblatt, has left the Oilers cautious about Draisaitl’s return, with Knoblauch expecting him to miss some or all of the remaining games in the homestand. The Oilers have been trending toward a more disciplined defensive approach, bolstered by the emergence of goaltender Connor Ingram. Together, they’ve allowed just nine goals in Ingram’s last five starts, contributing to a 4-0-1 record. However, without Draisaitl, the team must further tighten its defensive structure. “We can't outscore our troubles,” Knoblauch said, stressing the importance of limiting scoring chances and relying on their elite scorers to capitalize on key opportunities. Draisaitl’s absence adds pressure on the Oilers to maintain their defensive identity, a shift that has been a hallmark of their recent success. “When you have Edmonton’s firepower, the trick is to split up a lesser amount of scoring chances with your opponent and count on your elite scorers to cash in on one more chance than the other guys,” Knoblauch explained. The team’s strategy of playing a low-event game, as highlighted by captain Connor McDavid, aims to neutralize opponents and create turnovers.#nashville #edmonton_oilers #leon_draisaitl #kris_knoblauch #ozzy_weisblatt
Leon Draisaitl is set to miss the remainder of the NHL regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury during a game against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old center left the ice following a hit from Predators forward Ozzy Wiesblatt in the first period and did not return for the rest of the contest. While he briefly reentered the game near the end of the period, he was sidelined for the second and third periods. Draisaitl, who ranks fourth in the league with 97 points (35 goals, 62 assists) in 65 games, is a critical component of the Edmonton Oilers' offense. His absence leaves a significant void, particularly on the top power-play unit, where he leads the team with 16 goals and is second in the NHL with 42 power-play points. Oilers captain Connor McDavid acknowledged the challenge of replacing Draisaitl’s impact, emphasizing the need for the team to adapt and maintain its competitive edge. The Oilers, currently third in the Pacific Division with a 33-26-9 record, have 14 games remaining in the regular season, including a matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. The team is one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights and two behind the Anaheim Ducks in the division. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin April 18, two days after the Oilers’ final regular-season game. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins highlighted the difficulty of compensating for Draisaitl’s absence, noting that the team must rely on collective effort rather than relying on a single player. “Obviously, he's a top-four scorer, one of the most elite players in the League, so it's not like one guy can just step into his shoes,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “We kind of talked about it this morning; it's a collective thing with our group that everybody's going to need to pick up the slack.#nashville_predators #connor_mcDavid #edmonton_oilers #leon_draisaitl #ozzy_wiesblatt
Oilers expect Leon Draisaitl to miss rest of regular season Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl, who has 97 points in 65 games, is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury, the team announced Tuesday. The injury occurred during a hard hit from Nashville’s Ozzy Wiesblatt in the first period of Sunday’s game, which the Oilers won. Draisaitl returned for a few shifts before exiting the game for the start of the second period. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided updates on the injury, stating that medical staff indicated it “shouldn’t be a really long injury.” He added, “No immediate red flags,” though he noted that the team would wait for further details. Draisaitl, 30, has 35 goals and 62 assists this season, making him one of the league’s top performers. The Oilers, currently seventh in the Western Conference, are just two points behind fourth-place Anaheim with 14 games remaining in the regular season. Draisaitl’s absence will likely impact the team’s offensive output, as he has been a key contributor to their success. Jason Dickinson is expected to step in as the second-line center while Draisaitl is sidelined. Draisaitl’s career highlights include winning the Hart Trophy as MVP in 2020 and finishing as the runner-up in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers. His absence will test the team’s depth, particularly in a competitive playoff race. The Associated Press contributed to this report.#edmonton_oilers #leon_draisaitl #ozzy_wiesblatt #kris_knoblauch #stanley_cup_final
Foegele traded to Senators by Kings for 2nd-round pick Warren Foegele, a 29-year-old forward, was traded from the Los Angeles Kings to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The deal included a second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft for the Kings, with both teams also exchanging conditional third-round picks in the same draft. Foegele, who has one season remaining on his three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Kings, will now play for the Senators, marking a return to his hometown of Markham, Ontario. Foegele has contributed nine points (seven goals, two assists) in 47 games for the Kings this season. He expressed excitement about the move, noting it would be a homecoming. "It's pretty great, being closer to home, just a few hours away," he said. "Family and friends don't have to stay up too late on the West Coast time. Everyone in the family is pretty excited for this." He also highlighted the familiarity with teammates, mentioning that five players on the Senators roster were known to him from his time with the Hurricanes and Oilers. "Knowing guys makes the transition huge," he added. "I went to dinner with them last night, met some new faces, and everyone's been great so far since I've been here." Foegele, selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round (No. 67) of the 2014 NHL Draft, has accumulated 218 points (111 goals, 107 assists) in 560 regular-season games across the Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, and Kings. His playoff career includes 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 86 games. The Senators, currently sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 30-22-9 record, are four points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.#los_angeles_kings #edmonton_oilers #carolina_hurricanes #warren_foegele #ottawa_senators
NHL Rumour Roundup: Latest buzz on Myers, Trocheck, Bobrovsky and more One week before the NHL trade deadline, speculation about potential deals is intensifying across the league. With the Olympic break delaying roster decisions until earlier this week, teams have had time to evaluate their options and prepare for the final stretch of the season. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos outlined several names likely to be involved in trades, while NHL insiders like Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas provided deeper insights into the shifting dynamics of the league. The Vancouver Canucks remain active in trade discussions, with their focus centered on moving veteran defenseman Tyler Myers. After dealing star defender Quinn Hughes earlier this season, the team is open to trading multiple players, excluding young prospects and veteran defender Filip Hronek. Myers, 36, is entering the final year of his three-year, $9-million contract, with a modified no-move clause this season. Friedman noted that Myers’ trade protection expires on July 1, giving the Canucks more flexibility to move him now rather than waiting for the offseason. Despite rumors of a potential deal with Detroit, Myers’ agent has not confirmed any agreement, leaving other teams to consider him as a possible target. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues continue to be a focal point for trade interest, with their roster featuring high-value players like forwards Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Brayden Schenn, as well as defensemen Justin Faulk and netminder Jordan Binnington. Friedman highlighted that the Blues’ asking prices remain steep, with Thomas’ value comparable to a Quinn Hughes-type deal. Kyrou’s price is likened to the Rasmus Andersson trade, which involved multiple assets.#florida_panthers #st_louis_blues #new_york_rangers #vancouver_canucks #edmonton_oilers
Edmonton Oilers begin trade deadline action with acquisition of Chicago Blackhawks player The Edmonton Oilers have made their first move of the NHL trade deadline week by acquiring forward Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks, according to multiple reports. The deal, confirmed by NHL insiders, involves Murphy joining the Oilers in exchange for a second-round draft pick, with the Blackhawks retaining half of Murphy’s $4.4 million cap hit for the upcoming season. NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman noted that discussions between the two teams had intensified in recent days, with the Oilers actively seeking to bolster their roster ahead of the deadline. Mark Spector of Sportsnet later confirmed the trade details, highlighting the financial arrangement and the significance of Murphy’s departure from Chicago. Murphy, a key player for the Blackhawks, expressed mixed emotions about the trade. In a statement via NHL.com, he acknowledged his desire to remain with the team and compete for the Stanley Cup, but also recognized the appeal of joining a contender. “I would like to be here. I would like to also play in the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs. It’s kind of mixed emotion. That’s why this time is so hard, having that feeling tearing you both ways,” Murphy said. The 29-year-old forward, who has spent the past nine seasons with the Blackhawks, emphasized his commitment to the team’s growth and success. “I’ve been so focused for nine years on wanting to make the playoffs here and wanting to play our best and grow as a team,” he explained. “It’s a funny situation. It’s just interesting how the business side can change and pull you to a different direction.” The Oilers, currently third in the Pacific Division, see Murphy’s addition as a strategic move to strengthen their roster.#nhl_trade_deadline #connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stanley_cup_playoffs
Oilers Acquire Defenceman Connor Murphy from Blackhawks The Edmonton Oilers have bolstered their defensive corps ahead of the NHL trade deadline, securing the services of veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks in a deal finalized just 93 hours before the deadline. The trade, which involves a 2028 second-round draft pick, sees Murphy join the Oilers after spending the past seven seasons with the Blackhawks. Chicago retains half of Murphy’s $4.4 million salary, reflecting the team’s commitment to maintaining financial flexibility as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Murphy, 33, is expected to contribute immediately as a reliable third-pair defender for Edmonton. His ability to log 16 1/2 minutes of ice time per game this season, along with his career-high 87 blocked shots for Chicago, positions him as a key asset for a team struggling to limit goals. The Oilers, ranked 26th in the league in goals against, have faced mounting pressure in recent weeks, suffering two consecutive losses to Pacific Division rivals Anaheim and San Jose. These setbacks, attributed to defensive lapses, have threatened Edmonton’s playoff positioning and underscored the urgency of strengthening their blue line. The acquisition of Murphy marks another step in a broader effort to rebuild the Oilers’ defense, a priority for general manager Stan Bowman. Bowman, who previously oversaw Murphy’s acquisition from Arizona in 2017 and later negotiated his $17.6 million, four-year contract, has been actively reshaping the roster. His recent moves include a high-profile goaltending swap with Pittsburgh, where he sent Stuart Skinner to the Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and a 2029 second-round pick. Jarry’s struggles with the Oilers, including a .#bill_guerin #connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman
Blackhawks Trade Connor Murphy to Oilers, Ending Nine-Year Stint Connor Murphy’s nine-year tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks came to an end on Monday as he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, marking a significant move for both teams. The deal, finalized just days before the NHL trade deadline, saw Murphy, a pending free agent, sent to Edmonton in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2028. The Blackhawks also retained half of Murphy’s $4.4 million salary-cap hit, leaving them with one remaining retention slot for the season. The trade was orchestrated by former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, now Oilers GM, who has a history of reacquiring players he once dealt. Bowman acquired Murphy in 2015 from the Arizona Coyotes in a swap involving Niklas Hjalmarsson, and this move aligns with his pattern of bringing back former players. For the Blackhawks, the return of a second-round pick was seen as the best realistic outcome given Murphy’s status as a free agent. Murphy, 33, had long felt the pressure of missing the playoffs, having only participated in the 2020 Stanley Cup bubble. With the Oilers’ playoff hopes still alive, he now has a better chance to compete in the postseason. Edmonton, the back-to-back Western Conference champions, needed a right-handed defenseman to bolster their defense, which has been a weakness this season. Murphy will likely slide below Evan Bouchard on the depth chart but could strengthen their blue line alongside Darnell Nurse, Mattias Ekholm, and Jake Walman. For the Blackhawks, Murphy’s departure opens up roster spots for young players like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel, allowing them to stay in the lineup as the season progresses. The team also faces the return of Wyatt Kaiser from a knee injury, which could further ease the pressure on the defense.#connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #nhl #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman
Blackhawks trade reliable defenseman Connor Murphy to Oilers for second-round draft pick The Chicago Blackhawks have sent defenseman Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers in a trade that includes a 2028 second-round draft pick and a partial retention of Murphy’s salary. The deal was finalized on Monday, with the Blackhawks retaining half of Murphy’s $4.4 million cap hit. Murphy, a 32-year-old pending unrestricted free agent, has been a key contributor for Chicago over the past three seasons, recording 433 shots blocked in 194 games. This season, he has added four goals and 13 points in 60 contests. Murphy’s departure marks the end of a nine-year stint with the Blackhawks, during which he became a staple of the team’s defense. Known for his physicality and shot-blocking ability, he was a critical component of Chicago’s league-leading penalty kill. His trade comes as the Blackhawks seek to open up a lineup spot for younger defensemen, with players like Artyom Levshunov, Sam Rinzel, and Louis Crevier expected to fill the right-side role moving forward. The team also aims to bolster its depth by adding another second-round draft pick to its collection, which now includes two picks in 2026, two in 2027, and two in 2028. The Oilers, who have struggled with their penalty kill this season, see Murphy as an immediate upgrade. Edmonton’s penalty kill ranks 26th in the league, while Murphy was a cornerstone of Chicago’s top-ranked unit. His physical presence and ability to disrupt opponents’ power plays make him a valuable addition to the Oilers’ blue line, where he is likely to pair with Darnell Nurse on the second pairing. The trade also aligns with Oilers general manager Stan Bowman’s history of reacquiring players he previously dealt, including Niklas Hjalmarsson, whom he sent to Arizona in 2017.#connor_murphy #chicago_blackhawks #edmonton_oilers #stan_bowman #alex_vlasic
Minnesota Wild Acquire Robby Fabbri from St. Louis Blues The Minnesota Wild officially claimed forward Robby Fabbri off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Monday. Fabbri, a pending unrestricted free agent, carries a cap hit of $775,000 for the current season. The 30-year-old has appeared in just 15 games for the Blues this season, tallying one goal and three assists. He has also contributed one goal and one assist over three games with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Fabbri’s career totals include 107 goals and 113 assists across 457 games with the Blues, Detroit Red Wings, and Anaheim Ducks. His performance with the Blues was notable, but his limited ice time this season has raised questions about his role moving forward. The Wild’s acquisition of Fabbri adds depth to their roster, though his future with the team remains uncertain as he approaches free agency. Edmonton Oilers Clear Waivers for Mangiapane and Regula Edmonton Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane and defenceman Alec Regula both cleared waivers on Monday, making them eligible for assignment to the AHL. This move could provide the Oilers with cap relief, as both players are under contract but not currently contributing significantly to the team’s success. Mangiapane, 29, has played in 52 games for the Oilers this season, recording seven goals and 14 points while posting a -19 plus/minus. He signed a two-year, $7.2-million deal with the Oilers in the summer, with his cap hit and contract term limiting his trade value. If sent to the AHL, the Oilers would gain $1.15 million in cap space, though the remaining $3.6 million of his contract would still count against their payroll. Regula, 25, has appeared in 29 games for the Oilers this season, contributing three points while averaging 14:28 minutes of ice time.#minnesota_wild #st_louis_blues #robby_fabbri #edmonton_oilers #andrew_mangiapane
