Oilers' Benoit Pouliot: Inching closer to return

Pouliot (undisclosed) has been cleared for contact and "getting quite close to returning," per Oilers coach Todd McLellan.

Analysis:

While the low-end fantasy winger won't play Tuesday against the Islanders, he appears poised to come back with the Penguins in town Friday. Pouliot is good for the occasional goal or assist -- he's scored five times with just as many helpers in 51 games this season -- but the 30-year-old is caught in a bottom-six role, and that's not an ideal situation for such an enigmatic player.