Concern for Oilers Forward Viktor Arvidsson Grows After Game Day Skate

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Liam McCormick
November 30, 2024 (6:50 PM)

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Edmonton Oilers forward Victor Arvidsson has been out for over two weeks now with an undisclosed injury, and there was more concern for him at today's game day skate when he was yet again absent.

The Oilers just had a great opportunity for rest and recovery with a five day break in games, and Zach Hyman got back to the ice at practice, but of course, Arvidsson wasn't.

Earlier this week, Coach Knoblauch ruled out Victor Arvidsson and Zach Hyman from playing in the team's road trip this weekend.

Still, the fact that Hyman is travelling with the team and taking part in pre-game skates indicates that he's at least close to a return.

On the other hand, Victor Arvidsson isn't travelling with the team, isn't getting into any game day skates, and for those reasons, does not look anywhere near a return to play. Recently, Arvidsson was placed on the injured reserve.

What's most worrying for Oilers fans is the total lack of credible information about Arvidsson's injury. To this point, his injury is still undisclosed.

Arvidsson missed a morning practice on November 14th and was ruled to be a game time decision, but clearly, Coach Knoblauch wasn't telling the whole truth - or Arvidsson has experienced a significant setback.

There's a worry that Arvidsson is an injury prone player, considering he's only played more than 65 games 3 times in his career. When Oilers fans see a game time decision extend to a two-week injury, that injury prone reputation becomes more understandable.

To make matters worse for Arvidsson, he hasn't been producing when he's in the lineup, either. In 16 games this year, Arvidsson has only scored 2 goals and 5 points. Playing with Leon Draisaitl, it was hoped that Arvidsson could score 30 goals.

His offensive production though doesn't show that Arvidsson has actually played decent in his minutes - just getting unlucky offensively.

Hopefully Arvidsson is able to fully heal from whatever's ailing him with this extended time off, and is able to reach another year when he gets back into the lineup. The Oilers dearly need his scoring on the wing.