Oilers News & Rumours: Dickinson, Draisaitl, Samanski & More

Both forwards have missed some time as they rehab their respective injuries, but they would be huge additions if they are available to start the series against the Ducks.

Dickinson, who is 30 years old, was acquired by the Oilers from the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2026 Trade Deadline and has four points in 17 games since joining them. Draisaitl, who is also 30 years old, had 97 points through 65 games before going down with an injury.

Josh Samanski Skating With Scratches

Despite playing some of his best hockey since being called up by the Oilers, Josh Samanski was skating on the fifth line and seems poised to be a healthy scratch if Dickinson is ready to go.

The combination of Samanski, Colton Dach, and Trent Frederic has been phenomenal. That line, while they haven’t been relied on to produce offensively, has been one of, if not the best line, for the Oilers near the end of the regular season.

Their willingness to play physically and drive the play was evident on a nightly basis, and they were dominant. While Adam Henrique has experience and has been a decent penalty killer, putting him in over Samanski doesn’t seem like a logical decision.

Things can change, but it seems as though Henrique will move into Samanski’s spot, with Dickinson on his own line alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jack Roslovic.

Calvin Pickard Recalled

The Edmonton Oilers announced that they had recalled goaltender Calvin Pickard, which sent some fans into a frenzy, worrying that one of Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry was injured, but that idea was put to bed quickly, as the Oilers simply made the move to have some depth around their team, just in case one of Ingram or Jarry did end up going down.

The Oilers are expected to ride with Ingram and Jarry as the postseason rolls along, but having Pickard around the team boosts morale and gives the Oilers some breathing room if either of their tandem goes down.

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