There are a number of teams with a legitimate shot to win the Stanley Cup this season. Justin Bourne writes that with so many in the fight, injury luck could play a bigger factor than it usually does.
EDMONTON — Things We (Think We) Know. Series III, Volume III.
Things We Know
In a 6-1 loss at Seattle Thursday, the Oilers played without their top two centres/players, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, a top pairing defenceman in Mattias Ekholm, their No. 1 goalie (Stuart Skinner), and their biggest trade deadline acquisition, Trent Frederic.
So, one of two things will happen here: Either everyone healthies up and a well-rested Oilers team is primed for a long playoff run. Or, not enough key players are ready for the two-month playoff slog, they don’t get through the Pacific, and we all shrug our shoulders and say, “This just wasn’t Edmonton’s year.”
Things We (Think We) Know
The Oilers knew Frederic had a high ankle sprain when they traded for him. The gamble was that they’ll play long enough into the spring that the transaction will prove savvy, and when they sign Frederic as a UFA this summer they’ll have the kind of winger they need for the foreseeable future.
But what if he’s not ready fast enough, the team doesn’t play long enough, and he signs in his hometown with the St. Louis Blues this summer? Well, that’s the gamble, right? I won’t blame GM Stan Bowman for rolling the dice, though others may.
As for the rest of the list, we have no reason to doubt the imminent return of McDavid and Draisaitl. Ekholm has been nursing a worrisome injury for far too long, and as for Skinner, we’ve seen neck/head incidents like that cost players a game, and we’ve seen similar injuries cost players a season.
Ask Sid Crosby.
Skinner is listed as day-to-day, and we hope that’s not a ruse. Because without him, the good ship Oiler does not sail far.
Things We Know
Evander Kane will not play for the Edmonton Oilers this regular season. The Oilers don’t have the cap space, and with 10 games remaining in Edmonton’s regular season, he is still not medically cleared to play.
If his rehab continues on schedule, Kane will be offered a rehabilitation stint in AHL Bakersfield — an assignment Kane would have to sign off on before it could be executed. The Oilers can loan him to Bako for three games, and then request two more after that at the discretion of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in agreement with Kane.
Things We (Think We) Know
Kane looks like he’s progressing in his practices with the team of late, but with 10 games remaining and zero cap space available, it’s not absurd or sketchy if Kane’s NHL return comes in the playoffs. Let’s face it: There isn’t a contending team in the NHL that would hold on to $5.125 million in cap space for three or four games at season’s end.
We believe Kane will leave on Monday with the Oilers on their four-game road trip through Vegas and California. The Oilers fly home on April 8, and could assign Kane to Bakersfield for games on April 9, 11 and 12.
We think Kane won’t be wild about playing three AHL games. We’d bet money he won’t agree to the extra two.
But we also believe the Oilers plan to buy out the final year of Kane’s contract this summer. So he has this Oilers playoff run — however long or short it may be — to audition for a new contract elsewhere next fall.
Kane will be motivated, for sure, though we would caution against expecting too much from a player who played his last game on June 10.
Recommended Story For You :
FINALLY DUNK LIKE A TOTAL BADASS...
7 quick and easy things to INSTANTLY IMPROVE YOUR BALL STRIKING.
AVOID A SCAM BY ORDERING A HIN LOOKUP
Get Vehicle History You Can Trust
The ONLY Swing Designed Specifically For Senior Golfers
An URGENT Message For Golfers Who Want More Distance
Premium Quality Laser Rangefinder
You'll NEVER get to the top of your game on your own
Why The OTI Method Is So Effective
