Commentator Tom Gazzola of Yeg Sports Talk and the NHL Network has reported that Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane, two important Edmonton Oilers, are anticipated to be out for the entirety of training camp.
Gazzola stated: “I’ve heard that Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane will likely start training camp sidelined owing to injuries. The nurse has been skating informally and is still recovering from a post-season injury. It is anticipated that he will be ready to travel later in camp.
My Take
1. The Edmonton Oilers could have won the Stanley Cup if one or two of Kane, Nurse, or Leon Draisaitl had been performing at their peak during the Final against Florida. Instead, all three were significantly underperforming: Draisaitl struggled to score key goals, Nurse was prone to critical mistakes, and Kane couldn’t replicate his previous physical and offensive contributions.
2. None of the three players have undergone surgery yet. It’s assumed that Draisaitl is fully recovered and ready for the season. The team’s depth, including promising players like Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, provides some relief. The main goal is to ensure Nurse and Kane are fully rested and healthy by April when the playoffs begin. Last season, Kane, in particular, was dealing with a core injury for months.
3. The Oilers need Nurse and Kane at their best. Despite some negative opinions about Nurse and Kane, their performance is crucial. A significant story this season is whether defenseman coach Paul Coffey can help Nurse return to his previous form. Under Coffey, other defensemen have improved, but Nurse’s performance declined noticeably, potentially due to injury. Given Nurse’s hefty $9.25 million annual salary, it’s vital he returns to being a dominant, physical defenseman.
4. Kane faces criticism in Edmonton, partly due to biased and negative reporting from California about his past personal issues. Despite this, Kane played a crucial role in neutralizing Vancouver’s Nikita Zadorov in the playoffs, a key factor in Edmonton’s success against Vancouver.
5. Kane has the potential to return to form and provide the scoring and physicality the Oilers will need in the 2025 playoffs. However, this depends on him taking the time needed to heal fully. There was some tension over whether Kane should have surgery, but his best days as an Oiler may still be ahead if he recovers well.
6. In the short term, Brett Kulak has proven he can handle a Top 4 defense role, with Ben Gleason showing promise as a third-pairing defenseman. Travis Dermott is also now in the mix. Kane’s absence opens opportunities for Vassily Podkolzin, Roby Jarventie (if his knee injury is healed), and Raphael Lavoie, who has one last chance to secure a spot with the Oilers.
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