The Edmonton Oilers are caught in a precarious position as the 2025-26 regular season barrels toward the playoffs. While the team remains in contention for the Pacific Division, a mounting injury list threatens to derail what could be a deep playoff run.
The biggest concern centres on star centre Leon Draisaitl, whose timeline for return remains vague. Zach Hyman is expected to be ready for the first round, but if Draisaitl isn't available for Game 1, the Oilers could face their third-line centre problem resurfacing—particularly if Jason Dickinson continues to sideline.
Coaches and analysts weigh in on the injury crisis
When asked about playoff health concerns, the general consensus among hockey analysts is cautious optimism mixed with genuine worry. One expert rated the concern level a seven or eight out of ten, citing the unpredictability of soft-tissue injuries and the team's recent experience without key forwards.
"Guys are dropping like flies up and down the lineup, and it is the last thing any team needs," one analyst noted. The Oilers have proven they can win without home-ice advantage—they started the first three rounds on the road last season—but losing major contributors in the final stretch is far from ideal.
The team has shown resilience since Draisaitl's injury, posting an 8-4-1 record with improved defensive structure, suggesting the system can work even if the roster isn't at full strength.
Playoff positioning and divisional race
Whether the Oilers win the Pacific Division or slide further down the standings, the consensus is clear: they just want to make the playoffs healthy. Winning the division would provide home-ice advantage, but the group believes they have the internal confidence to compete anywhere in the bracket.
However, there's a real danger lurking. If Edmonton loses both remaining games and drops to eighth in the West, they could face a dangerous Colorado team in the first round—a scenario nobody wants.
Looking ahead: the healthy lineup question
If the Oilers can get fully healthy by playoff time, they'll have an embarrassment of riches up front. The potential top-nine forwards include McDavid, Draisaitl, and Dickinson at centre, with quality wingers like Hyman, Savoie, Kapanen, Podkolzin, and Roslovic filling out the top two lines. That depth could be championship-calibre.
One intriguing subplot involves young forward Colton Dach, whose physical, aggressive style has earned praise since joining the lineup. As an RFA, he's expected to receive a new contract, likely at a modest cap hit. The question becomes whether signing Dach means saying goodbye to Max Jones, who has struggled to establish himself in the lineup.
The bigger NHL picture
As some struggling franchises like Anaheim and San Jose suddenly look competitive, questions abound about whether long rebuilds are truly a thing of the past in the modern NHL. The experts suggest not—Detroit remains in a 10-year playoff drought, Buffalo endured 14 years before this season, and Chicago has gone seven without making the post-season.
For Edmonton, the challenge isn't whether they can compete—it's whether they can do it with their best players available. That's the playoff roulette nobody can control.
This article is based on reporting from OilersNation's Monday Mailbag feature, where analysts Jason Gregor, Tyler Yaremchuk, and Michael Menzies discuss pressing questions facing the team. Read the full mailbag at OilersNation.com.