Where Does Evander Kane Fit in the Oilers’ Lineup When He Returns? – The Hockey Writers Edmonton Oilers Latest News, Analysis & More

It has been a busy first half for the Edmonton Oilers. Between creating new line combinations often and juggling defensive pairings early on, all while trying to navigate the highly competitive Pacific Division, the season has flown by. However, fans will not soon forget a player who made an early impression on the team and makes a large impact when he is in the lineup.

How We Got Here

Evander Kane last played in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final last summer against the Florida Panthers. He powered through a sports hernia for the entire 2023-24 season and received surgery for that over the summer. Additionally, he had knee surgery earlier this year, which added some considerable time to his recovery.

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Despite multiple trying surgeries in a short time period, things are already looking up for Kane.

Evander Kane has started skating. He has skated the past two days and around 60% pace, as he will need time to get back up to speed. He hasn’t played since June and hasn’t really skated. #Oilers

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) February 21, 2025

Already on skates with roughly two months until playoff time, this is a great sign for all parties involved. We can only assume after Kane is fully healed from these procedures that the Oilers will activate him from the long-term injured reserve (LTIR), but the question of where to play him looms large.

There are a couple important factors to take into account when trying to imagine Kane back in the lineup. For one thing, whether or not he is fully healthy. While he may be cleared to play, it is often that when a player comes back from a long break due to injury it is tough for them to readjust and get up to speed (especially with the likes of Connor McDavid).

The other thing to consider is the state of the team when the veteran is ready to return. All four lines should be assessed in terms of which ones have been having the most success. The last thing you would want to do is break up a line that has caught fire at a critical part of the season just so Kane can get a chance to play with certain people. Everyone should be evaluated before he is firmly placed with two other forwards.

Kane has played in a variety of combinations since joining the team roughly three years ago. His play style nicely complements a lot of different players on the team. The makeup of the current Oilers lineup has shifted here and there throughout the season, something that could play in Kane’s favour. There are a couple good options that the Oilers should consider.

To the Front Lines Right Away

The first is an obvious one. McDavid and Zach Hyman have incredible chemistry, some of the best in the league. The left wing position on the first line has been a carousel of players. Kane has had success with McDavid before, especially in the playoffs. With the immense amount of offensive skill McDavid and Hyman bring, Kane balances that out with his grit and grind. And obviously, as we have seen, he has a scoring touch of his own when needed. Is there a better duo out there to bring a player back from injury?

Familiar Territory

It’s tough to adjust to all the new things in place when you return from a long injury stint. What better way to welcome a guy back than to put him with a couple of teammates he has been effective with before? A reunion with Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry may be the perfect solution.

Draisaitl has been in pursuit of a consistent winger by his side all season, while Perry could also use some familiarity. This line worked together at the beginning of Perry’s time in Edmonton. With a combination of raw skill and overbearing manpower coming at you fast, a line like this is the perfect recipe for the playoffs. Seven games against those three? Nobody wants that.

Standing in the Way

Sticking to the familiar may be tough with all the new additions and combinations the Oilers have tried out this season. If Kane can only returns for Game 1 of the playoffs, it will be a large adjustment for head coach Kris Knoblauch to try and fit everyone he wants into the lineup and the best spots possible.

Kane’s cap hit of $5.125 million also creates a bit of an obstacle for Edmonton management. The Oilers do have a shade over that amount in cap space, sitting at roughly $5.163 million to spend. However, it needs to be taken into account the moves that could potentially be made before the March 7 trade deadline. As a team looking to make another run at the Stanley Cup, it is imperative that adjustments be made in the next couple weeks. The team would ideally like to retain Kane and make upgrades throughout the lineup, it just all depends on who they are looking at and what the price may be.

Fans know what kind of player Kane can be at full strength. He has been a huge part of the team and community since his arrival and will not be forgotten. The next few weeks will be telling as to how management will be handling the return of Edmonton’s polarizing power forward.