Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini announced shortly before Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks that Hemsky will require surgery on his left shoulder and will be sidelined for up to six months.
The news comes as a huge blow to the Oilers, who after Friday lead the NHL with a 154 man games lost to injury.
"Obviously when you lose a player with the stature of Ales Hemsky it's difficult, but there is nothing we can do," said Tambellini.
Our shot at a playoff stop just got a lot slimmer.