Oilers Await Update on Leon Draisaitl's Injury

Edmonton's star center left Sunday's game early with an undisclosed injury.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Edmonton Oilers are awaiting more information on an injury suffered by star center Leon Draisaitl during Sunday's game against the Nashville Predators. Draisaitl played just over 3 minutes before leaving the game, though he did score a power play goal prior to his departure. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said he doesn't think the injury will keep Draisaitl out for long, but the team is still waiting on a firmer update.

Why it matters

Draisaitl is one of the most important players for the Oilers, having recorded 97 points in 65 games this season. With him and Connor McDavid leading the way, Edmonton believes it has a chance at a deep playoff run, so any extended absence for Draisaitl would be a major blow.

The details

Draisaitl took a big hit into the Nashville bench early in Sunday's game and appeared to injure his lower back area. He played a bit more after the hit but then missed the rest of the game. The Oilers are still awaiting further details on the severity of the injury.

  • Draisaitl left the game after just 3 minutes of ice time on Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • After the game, head coach Kris Knoblauch said he didn't think the injury would keep Draisaitl out for long.

The players

Leon Draisaitl

A star center for the Edmonton Oilers who has recorded 97 points in 65 games this season. He is one of the most important players for the Oilers as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Kris Knoblauch

The head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, who provided an initial update on Draisaitl's injury after Sunday's game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't think it should be long. There might be some time off.”

— Kris Knoblauch, Head Coach, Edmonton Oilers

What’s next

The Oilers will continue to evaluate Draisaitl's injury and provide further updates on his status in the coming days.

The takeaway

Draisaitl's health is crucial to the Oilers' playoff aspirations, so the team will be closely monitoring his recovery and hoping he can return to the lineup soon. Any extended absence for the star center would be a major setback for Edmonton's Stanley Cup hopes.