No timeline for return for Oilers’ Viktor Arvidsson

When speaking to the media on Thursday, Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch revealed that forward Viktor Arvidsson will be out longer than expected and that there is no timeline for his return.

“It hasn’t quite healed the way we assumed it would have,” Knoblauch said.

Kris Knoblauch states there is no timeline for Viktor Arvidsson’s return.

“It hasn’t quite healed the way we assumed it would have.” #Oilers

— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) December 5, 2024

Arvidsson has been out of the lineup since he suffered an injury in the Oilers’ 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders on Nov. 12. He was placed on injured reserve the following week and hasn’t come close to returning to the lineup.

The 31-year-old missed Edmonton’s last nine games, in which the team went 5-3-1 over that span, and is still trying to climb up the Pacific Division standings.

Through 16 appearances in the 2024-25 campaign, Arvidsson has scored just two goals and three assists for five points.

The timing of the update from Knoblauch couldn’t have come at a more inopportune time for the former Nashville Predator. Arvidsson was officially named to the Swedish roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, which is set to start in two months. Many scratched their heads at the addition of Arvidsson on the Tre Kronor roster, with his health in question. However, the Skelleftea native has time to get back to 100%.

Arvidsson joined the Oilers this past summer, signing a two-year, $4 million AAV contract after spending the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. In 562 NHL appearances, Arvidsson has scored 181 goals and 186 assists for 367 points, with another 37 points coming in 72 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Oilers (13-10-2) are fifth in the Pacific, nine points back of the first-place Vegas Golden Knights.