Oilers forward heads to injured reserve as Jason Dickinson slots back in

Jason Dickinson is finally back.

The Edmonton Oilers activated the veteran forward from injured reserve on Wednesday, just in time for a road game against the Anaheim Ducks.

The flip side is that forward Colton Dach has been placed on IR, so the injury bug is still hanging around Edmonton's dressing room.

Dickinson hasn't played yet this season.

He re-aggravated the same injury he suffered blocking a shot against San Jose on April 8, and it flared up again in training camp.

He missed camp completely, opened the year on IR, and admitted he never felt fully healthy all summer.

Edmonton gave him a five-year deal worth $4 million per season in June, so the team clearly sees him as a long-term piece.

He arrived from Chicago last March alongside Dach in the Andrew Mangiapane trade.

Stan Bowman has called him a big part of the group, and Dickinson scored twice in Game 1 of the playoff series against these same Ducks, including the overtime winner.

He practiced Tuesday between Trent Frederic and Kasperi Kapanen.

The Oilers didn't say why Dach is out.

The 23-year-old signed a new two-year contract over the summer and had been working in a depth role under Mike Babcock.

His absence adds to a lengthy list, since Matt Savoie, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman and Frederik Andersen were all hurt heading into this week.

Edmonton still sits at 2-0-1 through three games, which is a pretty good sign for a team missing this many bodies, and Dickinson should help tighten up their own zone.

Puck drop in Anaheim is 7 p.m. PT.

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