By GENE PRINCIPE
sportsnet.ca
The string of bad luck that surrounds the health of Edmonton's Fernando Pisani has struck the Oilers winger once again. It does not look like the winger has any chance of being ready for the team's season opener on Oct. 3 against the Calgary Flames because of a back problem.
"Fernie went and had an MRI on Monday," Oilers GM Steve Tambellini explained. "I can't tell you exactly what the damage is but it doesn't look good as he's had a setback."
Pisani played in a couple of pre-season games but a week ago he injured his back. After a few days off the ice he practised with the team on Saturday and said afterwards that he felt better and that he might even play in the Oilers final pre-season game on Sunday.
However at the morning skate that day Pisani reinjured his back and now unless there is a speedy recovery he will start the season on the long-term injured list.
"He was in this morning, and he did not look good," Tambellini said. "He could hardly move and we're not sure how long this will take for him to get back to being able to train and ready to play."
If bad things happen in threes then Pisani's number is up. Two seasons ago he fought through ulcerative colitis and missed 26 games. Last season he broke his ankle and missed another 44 games.
