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

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetSeptember 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.

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