The Edmonton Oilers announced on Tuesday that forward Zack Kassian is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.
Coach Tippett notes that Kassian is out tonight & is undergoing some further evaluations, considered week-to-week right now. Bear also still unavailable tonight. #LetsGoOilers
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) February 9, 2021
Zack Kassian Week-to-Week
About halfway through the first period of Monday nights tilt against the Ottawa Senators. Zack Kassian left the game early after skating through just two shifts. His first shift lasted only a few seconds before he fought with one of the Senators’ assistant captains, Erik Gudbranson. His second shift came halfway through the first period, yet that would be the last of Kassian for the night.
So far this season, the Oilers veteran has scored one goal and two assists for three points to go along with nine minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 48 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of -0.9.
Over his ten-year NHL career, Kassian has played for Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers. He has 83 goals and 97 assists for 180 career points in 538 career games. It may come as a surprise, but the Buffalo Sabres originally drafted Kassian in the first round, 13th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
What Come’s Next?
With that, we are still unclear on what exactly his injury is. While he is still undergoing some tests, things could change once the results are finalized. Now that the Oilers will be without Kassian for the foreseeable future, the team will struggle to fill that void. Kassian brings such a complex, physical game that only a few players in the league can match night in and night out.
On top of that, only to make matters worse, Oilers defenceman Ethan Bear is also still unavailable for tonight’s match-up against the Senators. Overall, as the Oilers battle to hold onto that fourth-place spot in the Scotia North Divison. Missing both Kassian and Bear for at least the next few games will affect them significantly. Hopefully, the two players will be back on the ice in no time.
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