Oilers injury update: McDavid and Kapanen to miss time, Henrique ready to return to lineup

After riding the waves of Olympic emotions, Connor McDavid might not join the Oilers right away, who are thrust right back into game action with a back-to-back in Anaheim and Los Angeles beginning Wednesday. “When he exactly joins the team, and when he’s ready to play, we’ll obviously have to have some conversations with him,” said head coach Kris Knoblauch on Sunday. McDavid had multiple fingers taped up during Team Canada’s gold medal match against the United States. He was named tournament MVP after a record-breaking 13 points, albeit ending in a silver medal. 

Similarly, Leon Draisaitl was icing his wrist on the bench during Germany’s games. 

Their status is worth paying attention to as the Oilers restart their season with 24 games to go.

Kapanen out, Henrique in

Kasperi Kapanen is expected to miss the first two games upon the Oilers’ return to action with a “little ailment.”

It’s been a season of injuries for Kapanen, who’s missed a total of 39 games.  This year, he’s produced five goals and 12 points in 19 contests, including goals in back-to-back games before the Olympic break. 

Knoblauch said on Sunday that the issue is different than the lower-body injuries that have forced him out of the lineup for significant stretches in 2025-26. 

“I’m not sure if he’ll be ready for the first two games,” said Knoblauch. “It might be later in the week, but he’s feeling okay. Whether he’s ready for these first two games after missing such a long time, I guess we’ll find out, but right now we’re thinking it’s probably not going to be the first two games.”

However, Adam Henrique is ready to rejoin the team and suit up on Wednesday, according to Knoblauch. 

The veteran centre hasn’t played since January 6 after blocking a shot against the Nashville Predators. 

“The timing of everything kind of saved me a few weeks of missing more time, which has been good,” said Henrique. 

“I was able to skate before the break and get to a level where we’re comfortable, and then just trying to maintain that through the break. Having this whole week has been great too, getting up to speed, getting back into practice. We’re able to work on things and talk about things in our game that we want to improve or change.”

Call-ups?

Regula scored his first goal of the season NHL or AHL on February 20, a 5-4 overtime loss to the Calgary Wranglers. Savoie earned an assist on Regula’s marker. 

Bakersfield plays on Tuesday, so a decision on their status returning to the Oilers should be expected soon. 

Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and has been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, he also collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues.

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