Oilers' Connor McDavid to Miss 2-3 Weeks with Ankle Injury Suffered vs. Blue Jackets

The Edmonton Oilers will be without their on-ice leader after an ankle injury in Monday's loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Edmonton announced Wednesday that McDavid is expected to miss two to three weeks with the ailment after NHL insider Elliotte Friedman previously reported Wednesday that McDavid avoided a "worst-case scenario" with the injury.

The future Hall of Famer suffered the injury within the first minute of the game, as Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski tripped him up and sent him into the right boards.

"There was nothing intentional at all. It's a nonissue," Werenski told reporters. "I was just reaching for the puck and might have nicked him.

"It's just really [lousy]. It [stinks]. He's the best player in the world. You want him on the ice."

McDavid already has 10 points (three goals and seven assists) in his first 10 games this season and is the primary playmaker in Edmonton's attack. He led the league in assists in each of the last two years and has led the league in points five times in his illustrious career.

Expectations are once again high for the Oilers after reaching last season's Stanley Cup Final in large part because of McDavid's individual brilliance. The offense simply isn't the same without him, as he is one of the league's most dangerous goal scorers all while having the ability to create better looks for his teammates with the defensive attention he receives.

While Edmonton still has Leon Draisaitl to lead the offense, others will need to elevate their games as well as the team attempts to tread water without McDavid.

Look for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Henrique and Derek Ryan to take on more responsibilities at the center position for the next couple of weeks. They will need to play well, as the team can't afford to fall into too deep of a slump after a slow start with a 4-5-1 record.