This evening, a new report has provided a return timeline for both Jake Walman and Vasily Podkolzin who have been away from the team. The Edmonton Oilers have already had to deal with a significant amount of adversity before opening night even begins. Last week, the Oilers Oilers announced that defenseman Jake Walman had suffered an injury would be reevaluated in a few days. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/oilersnation/status/1971968920581255210'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Additionally, the Oilers confirmed that forward Vasily Podkolzin would be <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/edmonton-oilers/edmonton-oilers-forward-vasily-podkolzin-to-take-a-leave-of-absence-after-sudden-family-tragedy' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>returning home to Russia after the sudden passing of his father.</a> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/ginohard_/status/1971003155585376739'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> Both players have been out since these announcements without any updates on their return from Kris Knoblauch or other front office members. Tonight, that has changed as Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch was able to share a positive update on the return of both players ahead of the season. <h3>Edmonton Oilers Expected to Get a Pair of Key Players Back This Week</h3> According to a recent press conference from Knoblauch, Walman remains day-to-day but will at worst be back by opening night against the Calgary Flames while Podkolzin will be back in Edmonton and with the team Wednesday. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/tonybrarotv/status/1972740274108744191'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> With Podkolzin returning Wednesday, he is expected to play in the team's final preseason game on Friday. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/dnbsports/status/1972499735010558395'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> This means the Edmonton Oilers should be able to head into the regular season mostly full strength besides the absence of Zach Hyman who continues to work his way back from a serious injury. Once the Oilers are back to full strength it will be interesting to see how Kris Knoblauch intends to deploy all of the talent he has at his disposal.