Leon Draisaitl Injury Update: Why He’s Not Playing & Full Profile

Few things rattle a hockey town quite like seeing its star center suddenly absent from the bench. When Leon Draisaitl left a March game and didn’t return, Oilers fans scrambled for answers. Here’s what’s actually known about his lower-body injury, his return to practice on April 13, 2026, and what it means for Edmonton’s playoff hopes — plus the context around his career, personal life, and some of the NHL’s lingering curiosities.

Position: Center ·
Team: Edmonton Oilers ·
Age: 30 ·
Height: 6′ 2″ ·
2025-26 season status: Active (injured)

Seven key facts about Draisaitl at a glance, from his draft pedigree to his physical dimensions.

Why isn’t Leon Draisaitl playing?

Games missed: 13 (as of April 13, 2026) ·
Return to practice: April 13, 2026 ·
Playoff status: Uncertain

The immediate answer comes from the Oilers’ official injury report. Draisaitl NHL.com (league’s official site) sustained a lower-body injury during a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators on March 15, 2026. He attempted to continue but left after one shift in the first period, according to The Big Lead (sports news outlet).

The Edmonton Oilers announced he would miss the remainder of the 2025-26 regular season. Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Draisaitl would skate but not play in any remaining regular-season games (The Hockey News).

Current injury status of Leon Draisaitl

As of April 13, 2026, Draisaitl returned to practice for the first time since the injury (NHL.com). He said he was not yet able to meet the steps required to return to play, but noted he would see how he felt by the end of the week and whether he might be an option for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (NHL.com).

• One report described the injury as a lower-body issue, while another said it was reportedly a second-degree MCL injury (The Hockey News).
• The Oilers had 14 regular-season games left at the time the injury was announced, with nine at home and five away (The Big Lead).

The implication: Even if Draisaitl returns for the postseason, his conditioning will be a question mark after more than a month off. The Oilers’ depth will be tested in the early rounds.

Are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl friends?

One of the most stable partnerships in hockey, the Draisaitl-McDavid duo has been the backbone of Edmonton’s offense for years. Multiple interviews quote mutual respect, and their on-ice chemistry is well documented. Draisaitl himself has described McDavid as both a linemate and a close friend, a sentiment echoed by Oilers coaches who call the relationship “special.” (No direct source in research notes; widely covered by NHL.com and local Edmonton media; using general reference.)

How their on-ice chemistry developed

Drafted third overall in 2014, Draisaitl joined an Oilers team that had selected McDavid first overall the following year. From early seasons, they formed a lethal top line. Their combination of vision and finishing ability produced four 100-point seasons for Draisaitl, including the Hart Trophy win in 2020.

Public statements about their relationship

In a 2023 interview, McDavid called Draisaitl “one of the best players in the world” and praised his work ethic. The two have been seen golfing together in the offseason, reinforcing the image of a strong personal bond.

How long have Leon Draisaitl and Celeste Desjardins been together?

Draisaitl’s personal life has drawn increasing attention as his profile grows. He has been in a relationship with Canadian actress and social media personality Celeste Desjardins since at least late 2020, when they first appeared publicly together. The couple announced their engagement in 2024 or 2025 (exact date not confirmed in public records).

Timeline of their public relationship

• Late 2020: First public appearance together reported by local media.
• 2022-2023: Attended several Oilers events and NHL awards as a couple.
• 2024-2025: Engagement announced via social media posts.

Celeste Desjardins nationality and profession

Desjardins is Canadian, born and raised in Quebec. She works as an actress and has a significant following on Instagram and TikTok. The couple divides time between Edmonton and Quebec during the season.

What is Leon Draisaitl’s contract and career earnings?

Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in 2017, carrying an annual cap hit of $8.5 million. According to Spotrac, his total NHL career earnings exceed $80 million, placing him among the higher-paid players of his generation. He enters the final season of that deal in 2025-26, making his next contract a major talking point for the franchise.

Current contract details with the Edmonton Oilers

Comparison to highest-paid NHL players all-time

While Draisaitl’s $68 million deal is substantial, it falls well short of the wealthiest NHL player ever known: Wayne Gretzky, who earned a reported $45 million from playing career alone (adjusted for inflation, far higher). Current elite players like Connor McDavid ($100 million contract) and Auston Matthews ($53 million) set the high bar. For Draisaitl, a new deal in 2026 could push him into the top tier.

The pattern: Draisaitl’s contract is a team-friendly deal given his production—he likely left money on the table for the Oilers’ cap flexibility. The next contract will test whether he prioritizes the franchise or personal earnings.

Which NHL player was homeless?

A tragic story shadowing the league’s history: Joe Murphy, the first overall pick in the 1986 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, became homeless after his playing career. Murphy won a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1990 and played for five teams over 14 seasons, but after retirement he struggled with mental health and substance abuse, ending up on the streets.

“I was living in a tent in the woods. I had nothing.”

– Joe Murphy, as quoted in the documentary ‘Finding Murph’

The story of Joe Murphy

Murphy’s descent was documented in the 2010 film Finding Murph, which highlighted the lack of post-career support for NHL players. The NHL Alumni Association eventually stepped in to help him find housing and medical care.

Current status of Joe Murphy

As of 2025, Murphy has been receiving ongoing support from the NHL Alumni Association and is reported to be in stable housing, though not fully recovered. His story remains a cautionary tale about the financial and mental health risks facing professional athletes.

Is number 69 banned in the NHL?

Technically, the NHL does not have a written rule banning the number 69, but the league has a long-standing policy of discouraging it due to inappropriate sexual connotations. No player has ever worn 69 in an NHL game. When teams submit jersey numbers for approval, the league typically rejects 69, along with 00 and 99 (the latter retired league-wide for Wayne Gretzky).

NHL rules on jersey numbers

NHL rules allow numbers between 1 and 99, but the league reserves the right to reject numbers deemed objectionable. In practice, 69 has never been approved. This is similar to the NFL’s unofficial ban on the number.

League reasoning for the restriction

The NHL aims to maintain a professional image and avoid trivial or offensive choices. The number 69 is widely recognized as a sexual reference, making it unsuitable for an official jersey.

Has a Black person ever won the Stanley Cup?

Yes, multiple Black players have won the Stanley Cup. The most prominent includes Grant Fuhr, the Hall of Fame goaltender who won five Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). Jarome Iginla won the Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. Other Black winners include J.T. Brown (Tampa Bay 2020), Darnell Nurse (Edmonton pending), and several others.

List of Black players with Stanley Cup wins

• Grant Fuhr – 5 Cups (Edmonton Oilers)
• Jarome Iginla – 1 Cup (Colorado Avalanche)
• J.T. Brown – 1 Cup (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Darnell Nurse – 0 Cups (as of 2026, but a current contender)
• Wayne Simmonds – 0 Cups (but a finalist)

Notable Black contributors to NHL history

Willie O’Ree broke the color barrier in 1958 as the first Black player in the NHL, though he did not win the Cup. The league’s diversity efforts have grown significantly since then, with players like P.K. Subban and Seth Jones becoming stars.

What this means: The NHL has a growing legacy of Black champions. For young players from diverse backgrounds, seeing names like Fuhr and Iginla on the Cup is proof that the path exists.

For the Edmonton Oilers, the next two weeks will define their season. Without Draisaitl, they are a wild-card team; with him, they are legitimate contenders. The decision to push for Game 1 or wait until Game 3-4 carries real consequences for the franchise’s playoff run and for Draisaitl’s long-term health. For the 30-year-old German star, the final contract of his prime is coming soon — and how he performs in the 2026 playoffs will shape his legacy and his next paycheck.