Edmonton Oilers News

Nurse was suspended for three games for fighting an unwilling Roman Polak. With his suspension up, Nurse is expected to return tonight vs. St. Louis. The young blueliner has just eight points (2G / 6A) in 59 games this season.

Nurse was suspended for three games for instigating a fight with Roman Polak and absolutely pummelling Polak, who appeared unwilling to fight. Polak suffered a broken nose during the tilt, which likely didn’t help Nurse’s case.

Hyman has played in 54 games for the Marlies this season, recording 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points. The 23-year-old was named the University of Michigan’s Athlete of the Year in his senior year (2014-15) while also being named a First Team All-American and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Hyman, who was acquired via trade from Florida in June 2015, was drafted by the Panthers in the 5th round (123rd overall) during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

McDavid spent the NHL All-Star break practicing with Bakersfield (AHL) and is set to return to the Oilers lineup on Tuesday. McDavid has been been out with a broken clavicle since November 3rd and his much anticipated return will come tomorrow vs. the Blue Jackets. McDavid is a must-start in his return—he has 12 points (5G / 7A) in his first 13 NHL games.

McDavid is eyeing a return when the Oilers resume play after the All-Star break. To make that a real possibility, the 2015 No. 1 overall pick will practice with Bakersfield over the break. He will not appear in any games, but will practice and could be back in the lineup next Tuesday (Feb. 2nd) vs. the Blue Jackets.

Nugent-Hopkins will miss at least six weeks with a hand injury that he suffered on Monday night. He could be out for two months, which is a huge blow for the Oilers, who are expected to get Connor McDavid back in early February.

Nugent-Hopkins suffered a hand injury after blocking a shot in Monday’s win over the Panthers. Nugent-Hopkins will miss an extended period of time and Connor McDavid is still sidelined, so the Oilers are left with just four healthy centres, Leon Draisaitl, Mark Letestu, Matt Hendricks and Anton Lander.

In December, there appeared to be hope for McDavid to return in early January, but the Oilers will play it safe with their future superstar and hold him out of the lineup for the remainder of January. He could travel with the Oilers on their upcoming road trip to practice with the team, but don’t expect to see him in the lineup until early February.

Nugent-Hopkins returned to practice on Tuesday after missing Saturday’s game and Monday’s practice. RNH’s return to the ice is a good sign that he is feeling well enough to return to the lineup on Wednesday.

Nugent-Hopkins missed Saturday’s game and now Monday’s practice, which clouds his status for Wednesday’s game vs. the Blackhawks. Monitor RNH’s status as the week progresses.

As many feared, McDavid did in fact suffer a broken collarbone on Tuesday night and will miss multiple months. McDavid will undergo surgery on Wednesday, but it sounds like he will be back in the lineup before the end of the 2015-16 season. The best case scenario appears to be that McDavid will miss 8-12 weeks, which could have him back in the lineup in mid-to-late January, but it could be much longer.

McDavid crashed hard into the end boards late in the second period and got up clutching his shoulder. It was a heavy collision and the Oilers should provide the media with an update following the contest or on Wednesday.

Draisaitl, 20, has been recalled because the Oilers are in need of a top-6 forward. Draisaitl has scored one goal with one assist in six games with Bakersfield and many reports suggest that Draisaitl has been the Condors’ best forward this season. He is expected to make his season debut tonight on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall.

Nurse has registered one assist in six games with Bakersfield this season and has been recalled after the Oilers placed Griffin Reinhart (undisclosed) on IR. Nurse could make his season debut on Tuesday vs. the Wild.

Ekholm has one goal and two assists in eight games this season. He is not usually known for producing offensively, having recorded just 30 points (9G / 21A) in 153 career games.