James Guillory-Imagn Images

Leon Draisaitl Leaves Oilers Amid NHL Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ankit Kumar | Last updated Jan 17, 2026 3:04 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers shared an update on Leon Draisaitl ahead of Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.

In an official statement, the club confirmed Draisaitl will take a brief leave of absence. The Oilers said he is attending to a family illness in Germany and is expected to return next week. The team also requested privacy on his behalf.

Draisaitl’s absence comes a few weeks before the Olympic break. Edmonton enters the game at 23-17-8 and sits second in the Pacific Division, four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights. Vancouver, meanwhile, is trying to snap a nine-game losing streak. The Canucks have struggled at both ends of the ice and have the worst record in the NHL at 16-26-5.

#Oilers statement re: Leon Draisaitl https://t.co/FgGcC8Pd2s
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 17, 2026

Despite missing time of late, Draisaitl has delivered another elite season. Through 48 games, he has 25 goals and 42 assists for 67 points. He continues to log over 22 minutes per night and remains a major threat on the power play.

Earlier this month, Draisaitl was honored for reaching 1,000 career points. The ceremony included his family and his dog, Bowie, who joined him on the ice. He became the first German-born player to reach the milestone and the fifth in Oilers history. The moment highlighted his long-term impact on the franchise.

Edmonton Oilers president Jeff Jackson presents Leon Draisaitl with a silver hockey stick for recording 1,000 career points in the NHL.Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

Edmonton’s offense still runs through Draisaitl and Connor McDavid (82 points). The Oilers average 3.31 goals per game and own the league’s top-ranked power play. Defensive issues remain a concern, but scoring depth has kept them afloat.

Saturday’s game is the third meeting between the teams this season. Vancouver won the last matchup 4-3 in overtime. Edmonton will look to respond while managing life without one of its stars.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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