While the team on the ice is enjoying its best stretch in recent memory with four straight wins, the Edmonton Oilers received some potentially bad news today as head coach Tom Renney confirmed that Ales Hemsky would be out for an extended period of time.
"Groins are temperamental in terms of healing," Renney told the Edmonton Journal. "I think it's going to take some time. It could be upwards of a month."
The 27-year old missed three games in late November with what was described at the time as a lower-body injury. He returned in time to face the Montreal Canadiens last week and appeared to aggravate the injury despite scoring once and adding two assists in the victory.
The Oilers have yet to place the Czech-born sniper on injured reserve but may well do so soon. The Oilers will likely have to call a player up from Oklahoma City of the AHL with Linus Omark being the most likely target.
Hemsky has seven goals and 11 assists in 21 games this season.
