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Oilers Coach Shares Update on Leon Draisaitl’s Postseason Outlook

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 10:23 AM ET

The Edmonton Oilers earned a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Place on Tuesday, with 13 different players scoring at least one point.

Putting on balanced efforts across the lineup is going to be an Oilers necessity for the remainder of the season following the news of star forward Leon Draisaitl's injury and his expected absence until the playoffs.

Draisaitl sustained the lower-body injury Sunday in a 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators after a hit from Ozzy Wiesblatt.

Judging by the earliest Kris Knoblauch comments on the injury, everything pointed toward a not-so-serious issue. On Tuesday morning, however, the Oilers later announced that Draisaitl will miss the remainder of the regular season.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) during a stop in play.Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

Following Tuesday’s game, Knoblauch discussed Draisaitl's status once again and touched on his recovery timeline, providing a concerning update on the forward's availability for the playoffs.

Knoblauch stopped short of guaranteeing Draisaitl’s presence in Edmonton's lineup for the start of the postseason.

“Right now, the timeline we’re using is the end of the regular season,” Knoblauch said. “Once the playoffs start, then we’ll reevaluate, and that’s where we’re at.”

Leon Draisaitl's health remains a mystery.
Oilers say he won’t play in the regular season. What they won't say is that he’ll return for the playoffs.
“Right now the timeline we’re using is the end of the regular season. Once the playoffs start we will reevaluate." - Knoblauch
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) March 18, 2026

Knoblauch's update leaves Draisaitl’s Game 1 status uncertain, with a reevaluation, not a confirmed return, set for the start of the playoffs.

Draisaitl has the fourth-most points in the NHL this season with 97 in 65 games, including 35 goals and 62 assists.

Edmonton currently sits second in the Pacific Division at 34-26-9. Following Tuesday's win, the Oilers moved into a tie atop the division with the Anaheim Ducks, although the latter has played 65 games to Edmonton's 67.

While the Oilers are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot, the franchise is now facing uncertainty and lacking clarity on whether Draisaitl will be available when the postseason begins mid-April.

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

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