It was a move we knew would be coming after the unfortunate updates provided earlier this week on the status of superstar forward Leon Draisaitl. After he sustained a lower-body injury over the weekend against the Nashville Predators, the Edmonton Oilers announced shortly after that he would miss the remainder of the regular season due to injury. General Manager Stan Bowman is hopeful that he will be ready to return by then, ready for the playoffs.
Ahead of today’s matchup against everyone’s favourite, the Florida Panthers, the Oilers announced that Draisaitl was placed on the long-term injured reserve and forward Roby Järventie was recalled under emergency conditions.
Draisaitl appears set to finish the 2025–26 season with 97 points in 65 games, ending a streak of four consecutive 100-plus points seasons.
Järventie has spent all season with the Bakersfield Condors where he has 17 goals and 36 points in 52 games.
Impact on the Oilers’ lineup
In the first game following Draisaitl’s injury, the Oilers slid Jason Dickinson up to the second line while Josh Samanski and Adam Henrique filled out the bottom two centre roles. They appear to be set at the position, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins already playing wing, as Järventie is primarily a winger himself.
Lately, he has occupied the top line right wing role with the Condors. Indicating he is trusted to lead a scoring line.
Järventie has played with Samanski as his centre as recently as this month, which could be an option for the Oilers in the NHL in a limited or sheltered minutes situation. He is described as a power forward-type player with good speed and a good shot. The two of them could combine to create a big and difficult to play against third line with some scoring upside.
The likely role for Järventie, given the utilization of rookie AHL call-ups this season, is very minimal ice time on the fourth line in low impact situations, or healthy scratch.
UPDATE March 19, 11:30 AM: Following morning skate, we learned that Kasperi Kapanen was dealing with an illness, necessitating the emergency call-up condition. If Kapanen is unable to play tonight, Järventie will draw in.
