After 10 months away from the ice, left winger Evander Kane is getting closer to making his return for the Edmonton Oilers. As the team gets ready for its first-round NHL playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, Kane’s comeback could be a big boost.
Oilers Dealing With Key Injuries
The Oilers are currently dealing with several injuries ahead of the playoffs. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is confirmed to miss the entire series. Center Trent Frederic is uncertain for Game 1, while star forwards Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman were held out of Monday’s game just as a precaution. On the bright side, Leon Draisaitl is expected to be ready for the playoff opener.
In the middle of all this, Kane’s return is still up in the air, but there are signs of progress. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said on Monday that Kane has been looking strong in practice following his abdominal surgery in September 2024.
Kane Feeling Better Than Last Year
Kane himself told reporters that he’s feeling better now than he did during last year’s playoffs, even though he wasn’t fully fit back then either.
“If you ask me if I’m ready for Game 1, I think I could barely skate last year when I played,” Kane said. “So, compared to that, I’m ready to go.”
However, he made it clear that he’s not going to rush things. He wants to make sure that when he does return, he’s completely ready and won’t risk needing surgery again.
“From the beginning, I’ve worked hard to avoid any setbacks during my recovery,” Kane said. “You’ve seen how injuries can go around the league — and even on our own team — so I want to be smart.”
How Big Will Kane’s Role Be?
One big question for the Oilers is how much they will rely on Kane if he’s ready to return during the series. With some new faces in the lineup and limited playing time over the last year, Kane will have to fight for his spot and minutes.
Even though his situation isn’t as long-term as Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog—who hasn’t played since June 2022—Kane has had a long break and may need time to adjust.
Still, his playoff experience speaks for itself. Last year, he managed 8 points in 20 playoff games, and the year before that, he was on fire with 13 goals and 17 points in just 15 games. If Kane can return to that form, he could be a game-changer.
Evander Kane’s return could come at a crucial time for the Oilers as they get ready for a tough playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. While it’s still unclear if he’ll be in the lineup for Game 1, his steady recovery and improved fitness are positive signs.
The Oilers need all the help they can get with key players missing, and Kane’s playoff experience and physical play could add much-needed strength. Whether he returns right away or later in the series, Kane is definitely a player to watch.
