The Edmonton Oilers began their camp with the announcement that veteran forward Evander Kane will miss the start of the upcoming season due to surgery for hernias, abdominal tears, and other injuries. General manager Stan Bowman confirmed the need for surgery, with Kane having played through injuries in the last regular season and seeing decreased effectiveness in the playoffs. Kane’s absence in the Stanley Cup Final was notably felt by the team.
Expectations are high for the Oilers after their Game 7 loss to Florida in the final, as they retain a strong core led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Veteran forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner have been added to boost the team’s offense in Kane’s absence, along with the evaluation of Mike Hoffman on a tryout contract. Defenseman Darnell Nurse is also currently sidelined as he recovers from injuries.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner highlighted the team’s determination to move past the disappointment of last season’s final game loss and emphasized the fresh start of the new season with a different team. Skinner acknowledged the team’s aspirations for improvement, recognizing the competitiveness and ever-changing dynamics in the NHL. The Oilers are focused on preparing for the upcoming season and striving for better results than the previous year.