Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is taking a short leave of absence from the team to travel to Germany due to a family member’s illness, the organization confirmed on Saturday. The club did not offer additional details regarding the situation, citing the personal nature of the matter.
Draisaitl, a key player for the Oilers, has been an important part of the team’s offensive core. Over the past several seasons, he has consistently ranked among the NHL’s top scorers and has been pivotal to Edmonton’s success. Despite the timing of his departure, the Oilers expressed full support for Draisaitl’s decision to be with his family.
“Family always comes first,” head coach and team representatives emphasized in a brief statement. “Leon has our full support during this time.”
It is currently unknown how many games Draisaitl will miss during his absence. The Oilers did not indicate a specific timetable for his return but noted that they will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Teammates also voiced support for Draisaitl, acknowledging his contributions on and off the ice and wishing him the best as he tends to personal matters overseas. In his absence, the Oilers are expected to make adjustments to their forward lines to compensate for the temporary loss of one of their top centers.
The 28-year-old forward has long been regarded as one of the league’s most versatile and skilled players, often taking on a key role in all situations including power plays, penalty kills, and critical game moments. He previously won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in the 2019–20 season and has remained one of the team’s most reliable contributors since then.
The Oilers continue their regular season schedule this week with several home games. While Draisaitl focuses on his personal responsibilities, the team will look to maintain its pace in the standings. Oilers management has asked for privacy for Draisaitl and his family during this time.
