After the Edmonton Oilers made a number of notable moves leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline in order to bolster their lineup for another deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, many are looking at the future of a player not on the active roster.
Forward Evander Kane has been out for the entire season up until this point, having been on long-term injured reserve after undergoing abdominal surgery in September, followed by knee surgery two months ago.
The Oilers recently announced that Kane will miss the remainder of the regular season as he continues his rehab, which, in theory, means the 33-year-old could return once the playoffs get underway next month.
However, the question will be, if he returns to the lineup, what sort of condition will Kane be in after not seeing any game action for 10 months?
Kane’s style of play is extenuated in the playoffs. A gruffy type of winger with the ability to put the puck in the back of the net. His game has been crucial in Edmonton’s postseason success since he joined the team in January 2022.
The topic of Kane’s health and potential worth came up during the most recent episode of The DFO Rundown with Frank Seravalli and Jason Gregor. Seravalli believes, when healthy, Kane is one of Edmonton’s biggest difference-makers.
“I think the big test and key to Edmonton Oilers season will be how good is Evander Kane when he comes back,” Seravalli said. “Because if he’s a game changer, which he can be when he’s motivated, they’re laughing at the end.”No one expects Kane to be playing his A-game when he enters the playoffs. However, Gregor says if he can provide secondary scoring in a limited role while he gets his feet under him, that could prove beneficial.“I think all he has to be is like a quality third-line player,” Gregor said. “It can help them.”However, Seravalli believes Kane might return a little higher in the lineup.“I think he’s going to be an immediate second line winger,” Seravalli said.“If he does,” Gregor responded. “That’d be unreal.”
Over the past three years, Kane has scored 20 goals and 10 assists for 30 points in 47 postseason games for Edmonton, with 17 of those points coming during the 2022 playoffs. He appeared in the first two games of last year’s Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, missing the final five due to injury.
The Oilers (37-22-4) have 19 games left in the regular season. They currently sit second in the Pacific Division, four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for first.
