The Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that defencemen Jamie Oleksiak is sidelined with a concussion.
Coach Sullivan on Jamie Oleksiak: “He is out with a concussion… We will try to spread out the workload [in his absence].” pic.twitter.com/KEIpwzpSR8
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 20, 2018
Jamie Oleksiak Injured
Oleksiak was hurt on another intensive rivalry night against last season’s Stanley Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals. The injury occurred during the much-publicized fight against the controversial forward Tom Wilson. From a solid right-hand punch, Oleksiak went down and did not return in the Penguins eventual 2-1 win. It is not yet known when he will return.
So far this season, the 26-year-old has scored four goals and seven assists for 11 points to go along with an impressive 35 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers were 48.3 percent Corsi-For and a relative Corsi of -3.8.
Over his eight-year NHL career, Oleksiak has played for the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 career points in 219 career games. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 14th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.
Oleksiak was showing promise playing an average of 16 minutes per game. The Canadian defender, who was criticized for being an underwhelming first-round pick in the past, could well be on his way to a career-best season.
Not known to be a fighter, the one on one occurred as payback for Wilsons deemed illegal hit on Zach Aston-Reese in the second round of the playoffs last season.
What This Means for the Future
Until his return, Juuso Riikola is marked to join the lineup for the Penguins. Riikola had appeared in just one of the past nine games. There is a distinct lack of defensive depth for the Penguins at present. And definitely one of the main reasons the team has not been as successful thus far. Currently, they are battling for a Wild Card spot.
Look to see constant changes in the defensive line-up until Oleksiak gap has been filled or his return. They play Minnesota Wild tonight in their second last game before the Christmas break.
Main Photo: PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 03: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (6) waits for play to begin during the second period. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 3-1 in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals on May 3, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)
