Oilers’ Joel Persson out seven to 10 days with shoulder injury

Arizona Coyotes centre Michael Chaput (26) chases Edmonton Oilers defenceman Joel Persson (36) during first period of a pre-season game. (Amber Bracken/CP)

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Joel Persson will miss the next seven to 10 days with a shoulder injury, putting his status for the season opener in jeopardy.

Persson suffered the injury in Tuesday’s pre-season loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers open the regular season on Oct. 2 against the Vancouver Canucks.

The Oilers signed Persson as a free agent from Sweden in the off-season. A right-handed shot, he’s expected to skate alongside Oscar Klefbom in the team’s top four this season.

In his absence — and with top prospect Evan Bouchard assigned to AHL Bakersfield — Ethan Bear is expected to be paired with Klefbom to start the season.

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