The Edmonton Oilers expect both Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse to be healthy when the puck drops on training camp in five weeks, according to coach Jay Woodcroft.Ā
Each battled significant injury in Edmonton’s run to the Western Conference Final two months ago. Nurse toughed out a torn hip flexor he painfully laboured through, and Draisaitl played with a high-ankle sprain.Ā
“I had breakfast with Darnell Nurse in Toronto last week,” Woodcroft said in a conversation with Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now earlier this week. “He seemed to be in good spirits. He just came through getting married, and he’s working hard in Aurora with the Gary Robertsā group. Heās skating. Heās progressing. I didnāt ask him if heās 95% or 100%, but I think he feels good in where heās at heading into our NHL training camp in five weeks.Ā
“That’s the impression that I got.”
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Thoughts on the playoff run, off-season signings, Assistant Coach Mark Stuart and much more.
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Despite the injury, Nurse led the Oilers’ back end by averaging 21:07 of ice time per game through the 15 games he played.Ā
He missed one contest because of the injury.Ā
āOur medical staffā¦taped it up, gave me some anti-inflammās, and away you go,” Nurse said in exit interviews in June after the club was swept out of the West final by the eventual Stanley Cup-winning Colorado Avalanche. “Thereās no excuse. When you get to this point in the season you want to be on your game and play at a certain level. Thereās no excuse. Everyoneās banged up this time of year. And myself personally, I wanted to be better in this series. Itās just added motivation for summer to come back and be a difference-maker next year.ā
Draisaitl is expected to be ready by camp, too.
āI believe Leon is healing along the same lines, that heās progressing,” Woodcroft continued. “Those guys are workaholics in the gym and theyāre both on the ice. I would expect to have both of them fully healthy for the start of training camp.Ā
“Thatās my expectation.ā
Draisaitl finished second in scoring among all playoff competitors with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists).Ā
Only Connor McDavid was more productive through the entire four-round affair, netting 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists).
āAbsolute warrior,ā goaltender Mike Smith said at exit interviews.Ā
āTo have one of your top players, one of the best players in the league, have an injury as severe as he did and to play as well as he did and battle throughā¦ everyone knows the skill level he has but to compete through an injury as severe as he has is obviously something that is special and he deserves a lot of credit for pushing through.ā