Oilers News: Key Oilers injury updates, World Junior gold medal match and more

The Edmonton Oilers are back in action on Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators, marking the first time that newly acquired defenceman Spencer Stastney has faced his former team. The 25 year old was acquired to replace former Oilers Brett Kulak on the same day as he was dealt along with Stuart Skinner for Tristan Jarry.

Along with Stastney's first game against his former club, there are some key injury updates along with other transactions and storylines involving the Oilers and from around the NHL and broader hockey world.

Oilers to scratch struggling players

If their forward practice lines from Monday are any indication, the club could be planning to make struggling wingers Andrew Mangiapane and Trent Frederic healthy scratches on Tuesday.

Mangiapane, 29, signed a two-year contract with the Oilers in free agency this past summer with the expectation to provide secondary scoring. He has a history of performing well in a top-nine role and along with star forwards but through 40 games, the winger has scored only 11 points (five goals, six assists) and finds himself immersed in trade rumours.

Frederic is 27 years old and was acquired last trade deadline from the Boston Bruins but missed most of the remainign regular season due to an injury. It is also speculated that he may have not been 100-percent during the Oilers Stanley Cup Finals run. If that is the case, it would make sense why he has struggled this year, scoring only three points in 41 games.

Multiple Oilers nearing return to the lineup

Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch spoke to the media on Monday and gave some injury updates on multiple players.

Oilers forward Kasperi Kapanen is nearing his return to the Oilers lineup after being sidelined for the past three months with a 'lower-body injury'. So far this year, the Finnish winger played six games notching two assists. Speaking on his possible return on Tuesday, Knoblauch said "We'll see how he feels after the practice. He'll get evaluated, and then he'll get full clearance, but right now it looks pretty good.”

Another in what is a long list of injured Oilers, defenceman Jake Walman has been in and out of the lineup this season but seems to be nearing return. Knoblauch said about him "Guessing sometime next week, probably when we’re playing that two-game road trip." Walman, who signed a six-year contract extension before the start of the seaosn has been held to only 17 games this year, scoring 10 points (three goals, seven assists).

Speaking on Oilers netminder Jarry, Knoblauch said on his timeline ",within the next week, probably regular practices. Two weeks, maybe joining us full time,". There are some growing concerns regarding Jarry's long term health but his play has continued to impress and if he can keep that part up, he will be just fine for the Oilers.

Oilers demote rookie

In what is a slightly controversial move, the Oilers demoted winger Quinn Hutson to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

This is a move that was likely made to make room for the return of Kapanen on Tuesday but with the Oilers continually sending him up-and-down in recent weeks, it has some fans concerned for the long term growth.

At 24 years old, Hutson should be nearing his maturity and with his established chemistry with Isaac Howard and hot play, including him scoring his first career goal in his four NHL games so far this year, he is deserving of a longer look.

It is likely that should the Oilers move on from rumoured trade candidate Andrew Mangiapane, Hutson could receive a recall to replace the winger.

Transactions from around the NHL

There were a number of transactions from around the NHL on Monday with the big move being the Philadelphia Flyers extending forward Christian Dvorak to a five-year deal worth $5.15 million per season.

As well, goaltender Justus Annunen signed a two-year contract extension with the Predators and forward Alexey Toropchenko also signed a two-year contract extension with the St. Louis Blues. On Sunday, Alex Wennberg inked a new three-year deal with the San Jose Sharks.

There was a trade as well as the Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes completed a late night swap as the Canes sent Juuso Valimaki to the Mammoth for future considerations.

World Junior Hockey Championships complete

The annual World Juniors tournament has concluded and Sweden has captured gold while Czechia claims silver and Canada takes home bronze.

The Swedes were headlined by top 2026 NHL Draft prospects Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck as well as former high draft picks Victor Eklund, Anton Frondell, Milton Gastrin, and Eric Nilson.

The tournament represents a major upset for the Canadians who had multiple players with NHL experience such as; Harrison Brunicke, Braeden Cootes, Jett Luchanko, Zayne Parekh, and Brady Martin. As well, boasting high end 2026 prospects liek Gavin McKenna, Keaton Verhoeff, and Carson Carels.