The Edmonton Oilers, reigning Western Conference champions, are gearing up for the upcoming season without star winger Evander Kane. TSN’s Ryan Rishaug has uncovered that the 33-year-old athlete is unlikely to be ready for the start of training camp as various issues are still being addressed.
According to Rishaug, Kane’s absence could extend for a substantial period, potentially sidelining him for several months. This news comes as a blow to the Oilers as they look to build on last season’s success.
Kane, who is poised to enter his 16th NHL season and fourth with the Oilers, had an impressive performance last year. He notched 24 goals and 20 assists in 77 regular-season games and added four goals and four assists in 20 playoff appearances, culminating in a heartbreaking loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals. Throughout his extensive career with multiple teams, including the Sharks, Sabres, and Jets/Thrashers, Kane has solidified himself as a reliable scorer with 326 goals and 291 assists in 930 games.
With two years remaining on his current contract, Kane’s absence poses a significant challenge for the Oilers as they navigate the upcoming season without one of their key players.
In other news, the St. Louis Blues made some moves on Tuesday by signing restricted free-agent defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway to deals totaling just over $6.87 million. The Oilers now have a week to decide whether to match or reject these offers, adding another layer of intrigue to their offseason plans.
The absence of Evander Kane presents a unique opportunity for other players to step up and fill the void left by the veteran winger. As the Oilers look ahead to the upcoming season, they will need to lean on their depth and resilience to overcome this early setback and continue their pursuit of championship glory.