Draisaitl taking leave for family illness, expected back next week

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is taking a leave of absence to attend to a family illness in Germany, the team announced Saturday.

He's expected to return later next week.

Draisaitl entered Saturday ranked fifth in the NHL with 67 points in 48 games this season.

The Oilers play five contests between Saturday and the end of next week.

Edmonton's center depth could be tested further with Adam Henrique already out with an injury. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who's recently been playing left wing on the team's top line, is a candidate to shift back to the middle and center the second line in Draisaitl's absence.