Oilers activate Dickinson for season debut against Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers activated Jason Dickinson from injured reserve on Wednesday, Oct. 7, confirming his season debut against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The 31-year-old centre missed Edmonton’s first three games while recovering from an ankle injury.

Edmonton placed Colton Dach on injured reserve with an upper-body injury in the corresponding roster move. Dickinson is expected to centre Trent Frederic and Kasperi Kapanen on the second line; with Wednesday’s practice optional, the club said lines would be confirmed during warmups.

Coach Mike Babcock said Dickinson would need time to regain game pace after missing training camp. He expects the centre to strengthen the top six and penalty kill, but said the team would be patient as Dickinson returns.

Dickinson had practised between Frederic and Kapanen on Monday, when Babcock hoped he would be ready for the California trip. Dickinson said his recovery had progressed over the preceding month after stretches of little improvement during the summer.

The injury had already disrupted Edmonton’s preparations for the season. On Sept. 25, Babcock said Dickinson had aggravated the injury that affected him during the spring playoffs, Sportsnet reported.

Dickinson signed a five-year contract worth $20 million with Edmonton in June, carrying an average annual value of $4 million. He recorded 17 points in 64 NHL games with Chicago and Edmonton last season.