Edmonton Oilers: Dave Tippett talks injuries to Devin Shore, Mike Smith
By Ryan Sikes
Ahead of their upcoming roadtrip, Edmonton Oilers head coach Dave Tippett provided an update to a couple of key players on Sunday.
The Edmonton Oilers will be without one of their bottom-six forwards for an extended period of time. According to head coach Dave Tippett, Devin Shore will miss anywhere from four to six weeks.
“Devin Shore is going to miss four to six weeks, lower body [injury],” Tippett said on Sunday. “That’s what the timetable was yesterday after an MRI.”
After Shore missed all of the third period in Friday’s 6-5 overtime victory, Tippett was unable to provide a definitive timeline for the forward’s absence. As for who will take his place, Ryan McLeod is the logical choice, but the Oilers’ head coach could not make that determination just yet.
Devin Shore will miss some time according to Tippett. Could see Ryan McLeod recall for road trip.
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) November 6, 2021
The 22-year-old McLeod has a goal and four assists through the first seven games with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL and has played in two games with the NHL club. Last year, he collected 28 points in 28 games with the Condors while tallying one assist in 10 NHL games.
As for goaltender Mike Smith, the Oilers’ head coach noted that he participated in the morning skate and will travel with the team on their upcoming five-game road trip. Edmonton will carry three goalies, with Mikko Koskinen and Stuart Skinner rounding out the group.
“Mike Smith skated for an hour with Schwartzy [Dustin Schwartz] before the group today, so he’ll go on the trip, and we’ll see where he gets,” Tippett added.
Smith has been sidelined since exiting the game back on October 19 against the Anaheim Ducks after Shore awkwardly fell on him during the second period.
Since the injury, Koskinen has made every start for the Oilers, accumulating a 2.54 GAA and .920 SV% in eight games this season. It’ll be interesting to see if Edmonton gives Skinner a look on the road trip after Koskinen allowed five goals, including three in a 4:04 span during the second period, against the Rangers on Friday.
Skinner had a 1.50 GAA and .946 SV% in two starts for Bakersfield. The Oilers recalled the former third-round pick in 2017 after Smith’s injury.
The Oilers resume play on Tuesday in the Motor City, facing the Red Wings with puck drop set for 5:30 pm MT.