Oilers’ Walman, Roslovic, Kapanen not close to returning, says coach

The Edmonton Oilers‘ injured ranks won’t be thinning out any time soon.

None of Jake Walman, Jack Roslovic or Kasperi Kapanen are close to returning to action, head coach Kris Knoblauch said Monday.

Walman, who has been limited to 17 games this season, is unlikely to return this week or next due to an injury that is worse than initially anticipated, per Knoblauch.

“It’s going to be a while,” Knoblauch said.

The 29-year-old defenceman from Toronto enjoyed strong production when he has played this season with three goals and seven assists.

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Roslovic and Kapanen are estimated to return around Christmas, per Knoblauch.

Roslovic has missed practices since blocking a shot in a Nov. 25 loss to the Dallas Stars. He played only 11:09 in the outing and scored a third-period goal, but was held out for a stretch in the second.

The 28-year-old Columbus native has 10 goals and eight assists in 23 games in his first season with Edmonton, averaging 17:20 of ice time per night night.

Kapanen, the 29-year-old Finn, has been on long-term injured reserve since Oct. 19 with an undisclosed injury and appeared to suffer a setback in a late November practice. He was visibly frustrated as he left the ice, knocking down a rack of sticks.

He’s played just six games this season, notching two assists.

Meanwhile, injured defenceman Noah Philp returned to practice Monday but remains a week away, Knoblauch said.

The Oilers return to action Tuesday when they host the Buffalo Sabres.