.jpg)
2 hours ago
3
Just days after the league lost Auston Matthews for the season, the NHL has seen another superstar sidelined for the 2025-26 campaign.
On Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers confirmed that Leon Draisaitl will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner sustained the injury following a collision in the first period of the Oilers’ 3-1 win over Nashville on Sunday.
The former Hart and Art Ross winner exits the season with 97 points in 65 games, falling just short of his fifth consecutive 100-point milestone. It is a crushing blow for an Edmonton team fighting for a deep playoff run after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final losses to the Florida Panthers.
Here are the latest updates on the star's recovery and the Oilers' path forward.
MORE: Oilers drop brutal Leon Draisaitl injury update with season-defining news
Leon Draisaitl injury update
The Oilers announced that Draisaitl will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury.
The Edmonton Oilers have announced Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury.
Draisaitl suffered the injury in the first period of the Oilers’ contest against Nashville on March 15. pic.twitter.com/cr19Z7kxFD
Edmonton currently sits in third place in the Pacific Division with 71 points, only a few points ahead of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. While the superstar has not been ruled out for a potential postseason run, it places heavy weight on the Oilers, who are forced to find more talent to surround Connor McDavid.
MORE: Oilers might be closer to Connor McDavid nightmare than it appears
What happened to Leon Draisaitl?
In Edmonton's game against the Nashville Predators on March 15, Draisaitl was hit by Ozzy Wiesblatt in the first period of the game and exited shortly after.
Here was the hit by Ozzy Wiesblatt that apparently knocked Leon Draisaitl out of the game.
At least 3-4 Oilers players have gone after Wiesblatt for what appears to be a legal hit. pic.twitter.com/vGxiybYSQx
Draisaitl was hit along the boards by Wiesblatt at the 4:20 mark, causing him to collide awkwardly with the wall in front of the Nashville bench. Though he briefly returned for two shifts later in the period, he was unable to continue and exited the game shortly after.
MORE: Could the Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews be done?
How long is Leon Draisaitl out for?
On Tuesday, the Edmonton confirmed that Draisaitl will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a lower-body injury. The reigning Rocket Richard Trophy winner sustained the injury in the first period of the Oilers’ win over the Predators.
The former Hart and Art Ross winner exits the season with 97 points in 65 games, falling just short of his fifth consecutive 100-point milestone.
If the Oilers make the postseason, the window is open for a Draisaitl return. But, that depends on the type of injury he sustained and his recovery time, which the Oilers did not announce.
Regardless of when he returns, the two-time defending Western Conference champions now need to stay above water without one of the best players in the NHL.
English (US)