The Edmonton Oilers have dealt with an unfortunate run of injury luck recently. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have both spent time on IR, Stuart Skinner and Mattias Ekholm are still a week from returning, and trade deadline acquisition Trent Frederic hasn’t even played a game as he heals from a lower-body injury. The biggest injury situation, however, has been Evander Kane.
Kane hasn’t played since Game Two of the Stanley Cup Final last season and spent stretches of the playoffs sitting out due to his health. By all reports, Kane is ramping up a comeback for the Oilers and is expected to be a big part of any possible return trip to the Stanley Cup Final. How effective could Kane be? And what kind of performance can Oilers fans expect from the winger?
Best case scenario for Evander Kane
Let’s assume Kane comes back fully healthy and recovered from surgeries to repair two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias, and two torn lower abdominal muscles in September, on top of a knee surgery in January. Aside from the laundry list of injuries, a fully healthy Evander Kane would be a big addition to this Oilers roster.
Kane signed with the Oilers in January 2022 and instantly helped that team pull itself out of a regular season slide. This season, he would have a similar effect. The Oilers have been searching for a consistent finisher on the wings all season, and despite the recent play of Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson coming on, a shooter like Kane would really help. Kane has averaged 21 goals a year in three seasons with Edmonton, which would make him the fifth highest goal-getter on the team this season.
Additionally, a fully healthy Kane would be able to provide a lacking physical edge. At 6’2″ and 218 lbs, Kane plays best when he’s able to run around a bit, delivering hits and being a general pain to play against. Kane wasn’t able to play that style as the playoff wore on last season, and his game suffered as a result.
If 100%, Kane profiles as the kind of winger the Oilers have looked for all season—a player with size who can also score. Kane’s ability to perform in the playoffs is well-documented. He scored 13 goals in 15 playoff games in 2022 and was a critical part of the Oilers not only beating the Los Angeles Kings but also besting the Calgary Flames in the Battle of Alberta.
It may be wishful thinking due to age and the sheer number of surgeries, but a fully healthy Evander Kane would be a game-changer for the Oilers.
Worst case scenario for Evander Kane
Now, let’s assume Kane comes back less than 100% but is still able to play. All those surgeries would take a toll on a younger player, let alone someone turning 34 in August like Kane. It’s possible that Kane comes back, but he’s just not the player he was before.
Kane was serviceable throughout the stretch run last season but was benched for stretches due to injury and even demoted in the lineup for poor play. It stands to reason that although Kane will make his return, it’s unlikely we’ll see a performance like we saw in 2022 against the Kings and Flames. Kane may simply be a case of Father Time catching up with an athlete after a long career, and if he’s unable to play the kind of game he excels at the most, it’s likely he may not be a mainstay in the playoff lineup.
If he’s unable to go or can’t provide the level of play the Oilers need, they’ll need to pivot to other options. Fortunately for the Oilers, they’ve been dealing with Kane’s absence all season. Trent Frederic is set to make his Oilers debut soon, and Connor McDavid is expected to return shortly after.
Young players like Noah Philp and Matthew Savoie may see opportunities in the playoff lineup if a player like Kane isn’t able to play. Perhaps the Oilers could use Savoie in a role like they used Dylan Holloway in last season’s playoffs, starting him in the bottom-six before increasing his ice-time. If Kane is dealing with anything lingering, that may be an option the Oilers need to consider.
Although Oilers fans hope for the best, there’s a real possibility Kane’s body is just too beaten up from the various surgeries and long rehab time to provide a meaningful advantage come playoff time.
Somewhere in the middle
I think the most realistic option for Kane’s impact would be somewhere in the middle. I don’t predict him returning to 2022 heights, but I’m also not sold on his body being broken down. From the videos released by the team, Kane looks to be in good health and good spirits.
Best we’ve seen Evander Kane move at practice.
— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) March 24, 2025
An encouraging sign with 12 games remaining on the Oilers schedule. #Oilers pic.twitter.com/xmqWPmGx0y
I believe the most realistic belief for Kane’s return to the Oilers would be somewhere between the two extremes. Reports say he is extremely motivated to prove his worth to the team, and with the way rumours swirled at the deadline about moving on from him, maybe Kane has a little extra motivation to perform.
A healthy and motivated Evander Kane would be a tremendous addition to this year’s Oilers team, and if he is able to perform at a level close to his previous heights, Edmonton will have gained a major boost in the lineup just in time for the playoffs. If the Oilers return to the Stanley Cup Finals, expect Evander Kane to be a reason why.
