The Edmonton Oilers are dealing with several injury and performance concerns as they approach the NHL trade deadline. Forward Curtis Lazar is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks, defenseman Jake Walman has been benched, and forward Mattias Janmark will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.

Lazar Out Several Weeks

Forward Curtis Lazar will be out for at least a week, and potentially up to four weeks, after sustaining an undisclosed injury during Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch provided the update on Wednesday.

Jason Gregor via Twitter (March 4, 2026) Lazar will be out up to four weeks via Knoblauch. If he goes to LTIR they could recall one of Hamblin or Jarventie, who are on league minimum like Lazar.

Lazar has become a regular player in the Oilers’ lineup, having been scratched only five times since the Christmas break. In 38 games this season, he has recorded three goals and five points.

Walman Benched, Addresses Performance

Jake Walman did not play in the third period against Ottawa and was subsequently benched. While initially attributing it to an injury, Walman clarified that it was a coaching decision, though he did acknowledge a minor tweak.

Jake Walman (March 5, 2026) It sucks not playing. You want to be a part of that comeback and be part of the team. Especially being part of the reason why you’re down, you want to kind of get back at it. But yeah, the onus on me. I gotta play better. And I put myself in that situation.

Walman acknowledged responsibility for defensive breakdowns that contributed to Ottawa goals. Coach Knoblauch emphasized the need for Walman to demonstrate more urgency and regain the form he showed during the playoffs, noting that injuries have hampered his consistency this season.

Walman has eight goals and 18 points in 33 games this season. His season was delayed, beginning on October 21, and he missed time from November 20 to January 13 due to a blocked shot injury.

Janmark to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

Forward Mattias Janmark is scheduled for season-ending shoulder surgery. The injury, according to coach Knoblauch, dates back to last season but became increasingly painful.

Kris Knoblauch (March 5, 2026) It was the injury that he had last year. He was able to get some treatments that helped it, but he could only get those treatments periodically. Playing through a bunch of pain, give him a lot of credit for doing that, because there was times where it was really uncomfortable for him, but, and then as season went on, you know, he felt that he could play through it, and It just got to be just too much.

Janmark scored one goal and eight points in 43 games this season and has been placed on long-term injured reserve.

Potential Call-Ups

With Lazar’s injury, the Oilers currently have 11 forwards on their active roster. Andrew Mangiapane is in Edmonton awaiting a potential recall after being sent to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors following recent roster moves to accommodate the acquisition of Connor Murphy.

Oilersnation’s Jason Gregor suggested that Roby Järventie or James Hamblin could be recalled if Lazar is placed on LTIR, as both players are on league-minimum contracts. Järventie has played seven NHL games previously and has 34 points with the Condors this season. Hamblin has played 41 games with the Oilers over the past two seasons and has a career-high 22 goals and 35 points this season.

Upcoming Schedule

The Oilers’ next game is Friday against the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina Hurricanes, coinciding with the NHL trade deadline. The Oilers’ forward group could gaze significantly different by then.