Multiple Edmonton Oilers Players Enter COVID-19 Protocols

The Edmonton Oilers have placed defensemen Darnell Nurse and William Lagesson in COVID-19 protocol. With this, they have joined Duncan Keith, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi.

Even though the Oilers aren't set to play again until December 27th against the Calgary Flames, it's certainly still concerning to see more players out because of the virus.

It's quite apparent that Nurse is a major loss for Edmonton's blue line. He's their best defensemen and is once again having himself another very good season. In 23 games so far, he has a goal, 13 points and a plus-5 rating. This is all nice to see, as the Oilers of course signed him to an eight-year contract extension with a $9.25 million cap hit over the summer.

Although Lagesson isn't as big of a loss as Nurse, his absence is another hit on Edmonton's defensive group. This is especially the case when looking at its left side. The 25-year-old is currently trying to cement himself a spot in the team's top six, so this doesn't help his chances. In seven games so far this season, he has been held off the scoresheet, but still sports a plus-1.

Time will tell when all of these players will be able to return for the Oilers. Assuming they do in fact play on December 27th and they all still can't participate, it will be interesting to see who they end up running with on defense.