Hope in Edmonton: Leon Draisaitl Returns to Oilers Practice Ahead of Playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers received a significant boost this week as star forward Leon Draisaitl returned to the ice, signaling a potential return for one of the NHL’s most lethal offensive threats just as the postseason looms. While his presence at practice provides a glimmer of hope for the Edmonton faithful, the German standout remains cautious about his readiness for the opening game of the playoffs this Saturday.
Draisaitl, the 30-year-ancient alternate captain and former MVP, has been sidelined with an undisclosed lower-body injury. His return to team activities on Monday marks the first step in a recovery process that has taken him as far as Munich, Germany, for specialized treatment.
Der verletzte deutsche NHL-Star steht kurz vor Beginn der Playoffs wieder auf dem Eis. Hinter seinem ersten Einsatz stehen weiterhin Fragezeichen.
Eishockey-Star Leon Draisaitl ist kurz vor Beginn der Playoffs in der NHL ins Training zurückgekehrt. Der deutsche Nationalspieler von den Edmonton Oilers war zuletzt von einer nicht näher genannten Verletzung am Unterkörper außer Gefecht gesetzt. Ob der gebürtige Kölner rechtzeitig zum Start der K.o.-Phase am Samstag fit wird, muss sich allerdings erst noch zeigen.
“Ich werde schauen, wie ich mich Ende der Woche fühle”, sagte Draisaitl nach dem ersten Training am Montag. Er habe zunächst “bestimmte Schritte zu gehen”, bevor man über sein Comeback beim Finalisten der vergangenen beiden Jahre nachdenken könne. “Aber da bin ich noch nicht”, sagte der 30-Jährige.
Sofort ein schlechtes Gefühl
Draisaitl hatte sich durch den Check eines Gegenspielers während des 3:1 der Oilers gegen die Nashville Predators am 15. März verletzt und war anschließconclude für den Rest der regulären Saison nicht mehr für sein Team aufgelaufen.
“Ich wusste sofort, dass etwas nicht stimmte”, sagte Draisaitl nun. “Ich bin nicht unbedingt ein Spieler, der bei jeder Kleinigkeit gleich vom Eis geht. Aber ich hatte das Gefühl, dass es sich hier um etwas Ernsteres handelte. Man spürt es sofort, und dann habe ich eine vernünftige Entscheidung getroffen.” Zur Behandlung war er sogar extra nach München geflogen – mit Erfolg, wie es scheint.
Letzte Playoff-Tickets vergeben
Edmonton, das am Montagabend (Ortszeit) 1:2 nach Penaltyschießen gegen Tabellenführer Colorado Avalanche verlor, liegt mit 91 Punkten bei noch einer ausstehenden Partie auf dem zweiten Rang der Pacific Division und ist bereits sicher für die Playoffs qualifiziert. Die letzten drei Tickets für die K.o.-Phase sicherten sich derweil die Los Angeles Kings und die Anaheim Ducks in der Western Conference sowie die Philadelphia Flyers im Osten.
Die Kings gewannen 5:3 bei den Seattle Kraken, bei denen Nationaltorhüter Philipp Grubauer nicht zum Aufgebot gehörte. Die Ducks profitierten von der 2:3-Niederlage der Nashville Predators bei den San Jose Sharks, und auch Philadelphia kann nach einem 3:2 nach Penaltyschießen gegen die Carolina Hurricanes nicht mehr von einem Playoff-Platz verdrängt werden.
A Calculated Recovery
The injury occurred on March 15 during a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Draisaitl described the moment of impact as immediate and concerning, noting that while he is not a player to leave the ice for minor issues, he felt this instance was more serious. This intuition led him to make the decision to exit the game and eventually travel to Munich for medical care.
Following his first practice back on Monday, Draisaitl remained measured regarding his timeline. “I will spot how I feel at the end of the week,” he stated. He emphasized that there are “certain steps” he must complete before a comeback for the two-time recent finalists can be finalized, adding, “But I’m not there yet.”
For those unfamiliar with the stakes, the NHL playoffs are a grueling test of endurance. For a player of Draisaitl’s caliber, returning at 100% is far more critical than returning prematurely and risking a setback during the most intense portion of the season.
The Impact of the German Powerhouse
The urgency for Draisaitl’s return is rooted in his extraordinary track record. A cornerstone of the Edmonton franchise, Draisaitl has established himself as one of the premier players in the world. In 2020, he became the first German player to sweep the league’s top individual honors, winning the Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer, the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league MVP, and the Ted Lindsay Award.
His dominance has continued into recent seasons, highlighted by winning the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal-scorer in 2025. His ability to drive play and finish opportunities makes him an indispensable asset for an Oilers team looking to return to the championship round.
Playoff Picture and Standings
Despite the injury to their star forward, the Oilers have maintained a strong position in the standings. Currently sitting second in the Pacific Division with 91 points and one game remaining in the regular season, Edmonton has already secured its spot in the postseason.
The team faced a recent setback on Monday night, falling 1-2 in a shootout loss to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche. However, the focus has now shifted entirely toward the K.O. Phase starting this Saturday.
Across the league, the final playoff slots have been filled. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings—who recently defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-3—and the Anaheim Ducks have secured their berths. The Ducks’ qualification was aided by a 2-3 loss suffered by the Nashville Predators against the San Jose Sharks. In the East, the Philadelphia Flyers have locked in their position following a 3-2 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.
What’s Next for Edmonton
The Oilers now enter a critical waiting period. The medical staff and coaching team will monitor Draisaitl’s response to his first few practices to determine if he can be slotted into the lineup for Saturday’s opener.
For the Oilers, the difference between having Draisaitl on the ice and having him on the sidelines is immense. His chemistry with teammates and his proven ability to perform under pressure will be the X-factor in Edmonton’s quest for a title.
The next official update on Draisaitl’s status is expected by the end of the week as the team finalizes its roster for the start of the playoffs.
Do you believe Draisaitl will be ready for Saturday, or should the Oilers play it safe? Let us know in the comments.
