The Edmonton Oilers’ hopes of making the 2026 National Hockey League postseason just got significantly more difficult. On Tuesday, it was reported by the Canadian Press that superstar center Leon Draisaitl of Cologne, Germany, would be out for the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season with a lower-body injury.
Draisaitl is one of two NHL superstars who have suffered a significant injury in the last week. He follows Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews.
How did Draisaitl get hurt?
Dec 21, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) is seen out on the ice as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Draisaitl was the recipient of a hit by Nashville Predators centre Ozzy Wiesblatt of Calgary, Alberta, in a 3-1 Oilers win over the Predators on Sunday. Draisaitl tried to return to the game but was only seen on the ice for a single shift in the first period before leaving the game for good.
How many regular-season games do the Oilers have left?
The Oilers have 14 more games left (nine games at home and five on the road). The earliest Draisaitl will return is for the first game of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, which would be in just over a month from now.
Where are the Oilers in the standings?
The Oilers are third in the Pacific Division. They lead the Los Angeles Kings by four points for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Draisaitl’s 2025-26 NHL Statistics
Dec 6, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) is seen out on the ice as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Draisaitl had 35 goals and 62 assists for 97 points. He was a +13 with 26 penalty minutes, 42 power-play points, one shorthanded point, three game-winning goals, 186 shots on goal, 628 faceoff wins, 15 blocked shots, 34 hits, 26 takeaways, and 106 giveaways.
Draisaitl’s shorthanded point came in a 3-1 Oilers win over the Vancouver Canucks on October 11. In the Oilers’ first win of the 2025-26 NHL regular season, Draisaitl finished the scoring with a shorthanded goal with one minute and 13 seconds left in an empty net from defenseman Darnell Nurse and captain Connor McDavid.
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