Andrej Sekera injury update: Oilers defenseman out 6-9 months

After tearing his ACL against the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera will miss the next six to nine months. 

The Edmonton Oilers had a very successful 2016-17 season. Unfortunately, it came to an end against the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still, Edmonton fought to the bitter end, taking them to seven games. During the series, Oilers defenseman Andrej Sekera suffered an injury. It turns out it was a lot was than expected, as he tore his ACL. Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli confirms Sekera will be out for the next six to nine months.

This is a huge loss for Edmonton. Sekera was one of their top defenseman this season, averaging 21:29 of ice time per game, second on the team only to Oscar Klefbom. He spent most of the season as Kris Russell’s defensive partner. Sekera bounced back from a subpar first year with the Oilers. In his first season (2015-16), he had a plus-minus rating of -15. It rose to +14 this season with the help of a relatively healthy team and the emergence of Cam Talbot as a franchise goalie.

Sekera is the closest thing the Oilers have to a number one defenseman. He plays during all situations and plays with just about every defenseman. Sekera sees a lot of ice time, so replacing him will be quite difficult. Darnell Nurse will likely factor into the equation as far as who replaces him.

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It’s likely he won’t be the same for at least a year. Sekera might return in six months, but he probably won’t be 100 percent until 2018 at the earliest. This should affect what the Oilers do this offseason, as their Stanley Cup window is clearly open. However, finding a replacement should be hard in an offseason with a barren free agent market.