EDMONTON, AB - No question about Kailer Yamamoto -- he'll be good to go for the Edmonton Oilers against the New York Rangers on Friday night.
When posed a question by a media member after Thursday's practice at Rogers Place toward the forward's progression back from injury, Head Coach Jay Woodcroft wasn't leaving anything on Yamamoto's status for Friday's visit from the Blueshirts up to different interpretations.
"No, he's ready," the coach said. "He'll be in the game tomorrow."
The Spokane, Wash. product has missed 12 games with a nagging injury after last suiting up and registering an assist in a 6-2 win on the road on Jan. 12 over the Anaheim Ducks. Missing Wednesday's date with Detroit brought the 24-year-old's tally to 24 games missed due to injury this season across three separate stints on the sidelines -- two of which have been lengthy month-plus absences.
Yamamoto was originally eligible to be activated off Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) on Sunday afternoon, but a few extra days to recover are hopefully going to be what the right-winger needs to put this nagging injury behind him so he can get up to speed for the final push to the playoffs.
"I think these last couple of days, I've been trending in the right direction here for a little bit," he said. "But I think those last couple of extra days definitely helped and feeling really good right now."
"It's definitely time to put it in the rear-view (mirror). "Like I said, it's been lingering for a while. I think it's time to take the step and move past this and look forward to the rest of the season."
BLOG: Yamamoto confirmed ready to return after Thursday's skate
Coach Woodcroft confirmed in his post-practice media availability that the winger will return to the lineup on Friday to face the Rangers