Oilers updates: Smith fails physical, Koekkoek taking break for mental health

September 21, 2022 - 1:18pm

Edmonton Oilers' Slater Koekkoek (20) and Vancouver Canucks' Zack MacEwen (71) battle in the corner during second period NHL action in Edmonton on Thursday, January 14, 2021. (Jason Franson/CP)

As the Edmonton Oilers opened training camp on Wednesday, general manager Ken Holland had a number of updates on his players.

Mike Smith, the Oilers' No. 1 netminder last season, failed his physical entering training camp and will be placed on long-term injured reserve.

Defenceman Cody Ceci will miss the first three days of training camp due to a hamstring injury. Holland said that's part of the reason Jason Demers received a professional tryout.

Slater Koekkoek, a defenceman who played 19 games for Edmonton last season, is taking a personal leave from the Oilers due to mental health reasons.

Lastly, Holland said he expects Ryan McLeod, a 23-year-old restricted free agent, to have a new contract and join the club on Wednesday.

MORE FROM SPORTSNET

COMMENTS

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.