Insiders spell out tentative timeline for return of star Edmonton Oilers

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This in from host Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now and his guest Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, their tentative timeline for the return to play of injured Oilers such as Trent Frederic, Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane.

The Oilers have seven games left, with Kane expected back early in the first round of the playoffs.

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Here’s the tentative schedule of return set out by Stauffer and Seravalli

Saturday April 5 vs Los Angeles Kings (Frederic possible)
Monday April 7 vs Anaheim Ducks (Frederic likely) (McDavid possible)
Wednesday April 9 vs St. Louis Blues (Ekholm possible) (McDavid likely)
Friday April 11 vs San Jose Sharks (Ekholm likely)
Sunday April 13 vs Winnipeg Jets (Draisaitl possible)
Monday April 14 vs Los Angeles Kings (Draisaitl likely)
Wednesday April 16 vs San Jose Sharks

On the show, Stauffer suggested trade acquisition Frederis may well make his debate tomorrow, noting: “Just watching him today (in practice) and seeing where he was slotted (on the second line).”

Said Seravalli: “McDavid is back Wednesday at the latest.”

Said Stauffer. “I think Ekholm could be back Wednesday or Friday”
Then he added: “I wonder if Leon might be Sunday or Monday, Sunday against Winnipeg or Monday against L.A.”

Seravalli wondered what this huge injection of players would do to team chemistry. “That’s a hufe influx in talent to try to get eveyrone on the same page and clicking… Trying to ger everyone firing on all cylinders is not easy.”

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As for Kane, he added when the big winger returns he should play in the Top 6. “I would have him in the Top 6. If he is ready, he’s a Top 6 player. and he’s a Top 6 impact guy when it comes ot the playoffs with his tenacity, the physicality. I wouldn’t think twice about it.”

My take

1. It’s interesting to know what the timelines are, but it’s critical just how healthy each of the players are when they make their return. That’s something we fans aren’t going to find out, but will likely be able to deduce from the way each player performs.

I’ll suggest that over time it becomes easy to spot a player who is playing with a significant injury. It’s the guy who is playing poorly, getting beat on defence and not making his usual noise on the attack. We saw this as the playoffs went along last spring and the performance of Leon Draisaitl, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane dropped off in large party due to injury.

At the Cult of Hockey

STAPLES: The Bruce McCurdy I knew

LEAVINS: Player grades in win over Sharks

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