Viral sports doctor delivers terrible diagnosis to Isaac Howard

Howard went down after a knee-on-knee collision with Emil Heineman of the New York Islanders, a play that earned Heineman a five-minute major.

Edmonton now waits to learn how serious the damage is, and Grewal's initial assessment delivers both a warning and a reason for hope.

According to Grewal, “Howard's knee goes into hyperextension.” That detail matters because a joint forced backward past its normal range can threaten several stabilizing structures. He explained that this type of motion can result in a torn ACL, a torn PCL, a bone bruise, or some combination.

The ligament possibilities are the frightening part. A torn ACL usually ends a hockey season and demands a long rehabilitation process, so the range of outcomes here stretches from minor to devastating.

Grewal did not stop at the worst case. He is hoping the ligaments held up and the issue is only a bone bruise, which would make this a “day-to-day to week-to-week” situation. Hockey fans know how different those timelines are. A bruise might cost a handful of games, while ligament damage could sideline a player for months.

Nothing will be settled until imaging is complete. Grewal pointed to the MRI scheduled for tomorrow, which he said “will clarify” matters, and that scan will decide whether Edmonton faces a short absence or a major loss.

For the Oilers, the immediate concern is depth. Any absence forces the coaching staff to shuffle lines, and a lengthy one would test the roster early in the season. On the other side, attention turns to the Department of Player Safety, since a suspension for Heineman remains possible.

Fans should watch for the MRI results and an official update from Edmonton, which should arrive soon after the scan. Until then, the best case Grewal described is what everyone is hoping for.

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