EDMONTON, AB - Injuries have plagued almost every team in the National Hockey League and the Oilers are one of them.
Already without the services of Kailer Yamamoto, James Neal, Oscar Klefbom, Joakim Nygard and Kris Russell, the club announced on Friday that newly-acquired defender Mike Green was also placed on the shelf after suffering a sprained MCL against the Vegas Golden Knights, keeping him out of the lineup for the next three to four weeks.
Andreas Athanasiou, another Trade Deadline pickup, left Wednesday's game against the Golden Knights early but skated lightly on Thursday and participated in the Orange & Blue's full practice on Friday.
Head Coach Dave Tippett provided an injury update from the Oilers Hall of Fame Room, beginning with Yamamoto and Russell, who appear to be the frontrunners to return.
"Yamo went through practice today," Tippett began. "We won't make a decision on him until the morning. (Kris) Russell has been skating hard. We'll revisit him in the morning also."
The bench boss rounded out the rest of the Oilers players, including Athanasiou.
"Neal is not ready. Klefbom is not ready. Nygard, obviously (not ready). And Green is a new one. He had some tests done yesterday and it didn't go our way. He's going to miss some time. (Athanasiou) looks fine and ready to go."
BLOG: Tippett updates the status of several Oilers
Kailer Yamamoto and Kris Russell are close to returning; several Oilers remain out
