![Oilers' Ekholm, McLeod to miss last preseason game with return dates not yet clear](https://www.ctvnews.ca/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/10/6/ekholm--mcleod-1-6592114-1696616454660.jpg)
Oilers' Ekholm, McLeod to miss last preseason game with return dates not yet clear
CTV
Most of the team will be there, on the ice Friday night in Edmonton for the Oilers final dress rehearsal of the preseason, with the exception of a big defenceman and a speedy centre.
Most of the team will be there, on the ice Friday night in Edmonton for the Oilers final dress rehearsal of the preseason, with the exception of a big defenceman and a speedy centre.
Mattias Ekholm and Ryan McLeod are both still recovering from injuries, although the latter may have taken the lead in getting back.
"Pretty much 100 per cent now. Just getting back into the rhythm of things," McLeod told reporters Friday morning.
"It's a long season. There's no rush coming back. I want to be as close to 100 per cent as I can be and I'm right there. A couple more days I should be good to go and I'm looking forward to it."
McLeod would only reveal it's a lower-body injury that's kept him out of every game so far.
Fresh off of 23 points in 57 games last year, and a new $2.1 million contract in the offseason, McLeod would seem a lock to centre a third line for the Oilers.
Newcomer Lane Pederson was expected to fill in on Friday, with versatile forward Mattias Janmark centering the fourth line.