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Oilers may sign free agent and add to team right away after Draisaitl injury, per insider
Photo credit: Postmedia
The Edmonton Oilers may need to add another player to the roster for the stretch run of the season, and it's possible they may be signing a free agent for the role.
Leon Draisaitl just sustained another injury against the San Jose Sharks, which may lead the Oilers to hold him out a few more games to heal before the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers looking to sign free agent or call up prospect after Draisaitl injury
In the final weeks of the regular season, it would be understandable for the Oilers to recall a prospect to get something rest for roster players. With Draisaitl's injury, that may need to be sped up.
Oilers insider Bob Stauffer reported during last night's intermission that the team is looking at signing an NCAA free agent and burning a year off their contract immediately, or could alternatively call up Noah Philp.
It's totally unknown who the NCAA free agent could be, but given the Oilers current roster problems, it's clear it'd be a forward. If they do end up signing a new player, it may not be a good sign for Philp's future with the team.
There's been no official update on Draisaitl's injury yet, but the hope is that it will only be a day-to-day problem. The German superstar is known for dominating in the playoffs even despite injury.
Oilers will rest star players before playoffs instead of pursuing home ice
The Oilers now have a slew of players dealing with injury just a few weeks away from the playoffs. The priority now has to be healing up their stars, but will come at the unfortunate cost of potentially losing home ice advantage in the playoffs.
The breadth of their injuries should lean the Oilers toward being cautious, and maybe just sitting out some players until just before playoff entirely.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 354 ANSWERS Oilers may sign free agent and add to team right away after Draisaitl injury, per insider Do you think the Oilers will sign a college free agent and add them right away? | ||
| Sign a free agent | 201 | 56.8 % |
| Call up Philp | 153 | 43.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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