Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl takes depart of absence for household sickness

Draisaitl won’t play tonight in Vancouver, at dwelling Sunday in opposition to St. Louis and sure past that, having returned to his household dwelling in Cologne, Germany, on Friday because of what the crew described as “a household sickness.”

The Oilers launched a press release simply previous to their morning skate at Rogers Area in Vancouver forward of their Saturday night time tilt (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT).

“Edmonton Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl might be taking a short depart of absence to take care of a household sickness in Germany. He’s anticipated to return to the crew later subsequent week.

“On behalf of Leon, the membership asks for privateness right now.”

Draisaitl’s household was in Edmonton solely final Saturday to have fun his 1,000th Nationwide Hockey League level. This return to Germany was surprising and is open-ended, because the 30-year-old makes the lengthy flight dwelling to be with household.

In the meantime, the crew will even be holding goaltender Connor Ingram on its energetic roster after Saturday, the ultimate day he might have been optioned to the American Hockey League with out requiring waivers. Ingram is slated to begin Sunday in opposition to the Blues on an evening the crew will have fun Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ 1,000th recreation.

Ingram’s more and more environment friendly play has satisfied administration that additional begins in Bakersfield are usually not vital. In actual fact, he’ll nearly definitely share the online with Tristan Jarry as Calvin Pickard assumes the No. 3 position.

The crew travelled simply two goalies to Vancouver — Jarry (anticipated to begin) and Pickard — leaving Ingram behind in Edmonton to arrange for his Sunday begin in opposition to St. Louis.

Right here’s a take a look at the technique surrounding the Oilers goalies:

• At first, with Jarry’s injury-plagued 12 months, subjecting Pickard to waivers is deemed too dangerous — particularly with the Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie division at the moment in a state of flux. For common supervisor Stan Bowman, carrying three goalies is preferable to instantly discovering himself with Ingram, an injured Jarry and wishing he’d have held on to the veteran backup Pickard.

• Ingram’s recreation has steadily improved since arriving on Dec. 19. In eight begins, he’s cast glorious numbers — a .907 save share and a 2.49 objectives in opposition to common, each tops among the many three Oilers netminders. In Ingram’s previous 4 begins, he has a .933 save share and a 1.73 GAA.

• With Adam Henrique and his $3 million AAV at the moment on long-term injured reserve, there’s loads of room below the cap — for now. Bowman ought to have the ability to carry three goalies via the Olympic break, with the pinch level coming when Henrique is able to be activated afterward.

If another person will get injured, there’s each probability the Oilers handle till the commerce deadline, when each greenback will depend.

After tonight’s Hockey Day in Canada recreation in Vancouver, the Oilers play eight straight dwelling video games. That eases the observe points of getting three goalies, with ample observe time and ice out there at Rogers Place to maintain three goalies sharp. Edmonton closes its pre-Olympic schedule with one street recreation in Calgary, and barring the unexpected, will carry all three goalies via the break.