The Capilano Rehab Injury Report: Defencemen Swap

If we lose two defencemen to the IR, but gain two defencemen off the IR, then did anyone really get injured?

This is the scenario we’re going to have to think about this week, as Kris Russell has come off his two weeks of Injury Reserve time. Additionally, Darnell Nurse is also expected to return soon which could potentially be the best news out of 2017 thus far. And I don’t mean soon as in he’s day-to-day but probably returning in three or four weeks… I mean soon as in potentially this weekend! In exchange for the return of defencemen Kris Russel and Darnell Nurse, we’re going to have to live without Adam Larsson and Andrej Sekera for a little while.

Andrej Sekera left yesterday’s game in Florida after taking a slap shot to the hand. To make matters worse, Florida scored immediately afterwards. Andrej attempted to return to the game in the third period but that didn’t last long. As unfortunate as it was that he left, we’ve got to take it as a good sign that he made an effort to play again.

Adam Larsson missed last night’s game in Florida and only played 56 seconds of the third period on Tuesday after reportedly having back spasms. Larsson has also been playing with a foot injury so it sounds like he’s pretty beaten up.

The GOOD NEWS is that Ryan Rishaug reported today that both Sekera and Larsson will likely not miss any significant time from their injuries. They are both being evaluated today, so we should hear an update soon. It doesn’t matter that Russell and Nurse (soon to be) are healthy again, losing Larsson and Sekera would be devastating at this point in the season.

Benoit Pouliot was placed on the IR last week, after Jujhar Khaira was taken off it. Pouliot injured his leg in practice a while ago and hasn’t played since. Maybe it’s a good thing? This year, the Oilers record without Pouliot in the lineup is 11-1-2. There is no timeline on his return but we can be assured that he will be looking to redeem himself when he comes back.

Two weeks ago I forgot to include Tyler Pitlick in my report, and last week I remembered to include him, but I put the wrong face on his injury dummy. Tyler Pitlick if you’re seeing this, I’m just dumb. Please don’t hate me.

An-drew-Fer-ence *clap-clap-clapclapclap*

For your injury needs, visit our good friends over at the Capilano Rehab Centre! Visit their website or give them a call at (780) 466-1104.