Rumos has it that former Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane has been seen around town, and that there are some who believe he'd be a good fit in orange and blue once again. The memories of Kane's first playoff drive as an Oiler are cherised, and the thought of rekindling the relationship seems appealing to some.
I am not in that camp. The Oilers already had the best version of Evander Kane. When his time as a San Jose Shark ended and he joined the Oilers on a team friendly deal, he proved himself worth the gamble, scoring well and often. If bad luck and unfortunate positioning hadn't resulted in Pat Maroon's skate severely injuring his wrist, he might still be a productive Oiler today. But sadly that injury happened, and the player who returned to the ice post-injury simply wasn't an elite shooter any longer.
Power forwards fade fast
The prototypical power forward plays hard, skates fast, and seeks contact if they aren't in scoring position. That's a high value skillset, but it also contributes to wear and tear and more nimble, less physical playmakers usually don't experience. Evander Kane has always been a crash and bang forward, and he performed his role well enough that several teams overlooked the off ice shenanigans that plagued his career.
But Kane will be 35 when the season opens. He has managed to maintain above NHL average skating speed and shot power, but the accuracy has severely dipped, and if the many miles he's skated finally slow him down even a little, the Oilers will regret the signing.
That doesn't mean there are no scenarios where Kane could return. A league minimum deal, completely bury-able in the minor leagues, could be stomached. Even some bonus clauses could be worth it. The opportunity to play somewhere other than Vancouver might rejuvenate him, and in a less significant role, perhaps he could be useful. But there would be little room for the poorly timed penalties that coaches were willing to put up with when he was in his prime.
I still wouldn't do it. Fans don't often hear the truth about locker room and off ice issues, but Kane has had enough rumors bubble to the surface over the years that I was hesitant about his first tour of duty and I think there are other players out there, with their own set of risks, that have a better chance of making a positive impact in an Oilers jersey.
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