The Edmonton Oilers are focusing on a Stanley Cup more than prospects, but a recent trade brought in their new best prospect in Matt Savoie, says Tony Ferrari. Evander Kane [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTg5OTkzOTU1MTgwNDIyMjM3/usatsi_18419465.jpg] Evander Kane The Edmonton Oilers’ recent decision to bring in 34-year-old forward Mike Hoffman on a professional tryout offer (PTO) sparked speculation that he might be there to fill Kane's role in the top nine. It was quickly learned that wasn't the case, as the Oilers had a couple of players out of camp with injuries and they needed the extra body to ensure ice time as originally scheduled. If Hoffman happens to make the club, it will be an unexpected and pleasant surprise. Perhaps more interesting were theories that popped up [https://x.com/OilersNation/status/1836808827867639917] suggesting Hoffman's PTO could be more of a favor to his agent, with no real expectation that he'll be around any longer than a few pre-season games. So, if not Hoffman, who? The over/under on the amount of games Kane might play could be 20-25 this season. He might be out until the playoffs with the number of surgeries he had done on Friday. It's fair to wonder where the Oilers will find someone who can fit the type of role Kane was going to fill. After all, there are few players like Kane on this Oilers roster —someone who can score, play gritty and ruffle the feathers of the opposition. The reality is, that the Oilers are unlikely to use any cap relief from Kane's potential long-term injured reserve (LTIR) status on a forward like Hoffman. Frankly, they likely won't even search for additional help up front, hoping that internally, there's enough sandpaper and skill to make up what Kane might have brought. KANE'S MONEY WILL GO TO THE BLUELINE IF IT GOES ANYWHERE Should the Oilers decide to move Kane to LTIR, the focus is expected to shift toward strengthening the blueline. The priority would likely be on acquiring a proven top-four defenseman to bolster the team’s back end. And, the question probably isn't if, but when. On the Got Yer’ Back podcast [https://x.com/GotYerBackPod/status/1837129931345572183], hosts debated whether the Oilers should feel any urgency to make such a move. While retired NHLers Jason Strudwick and Rob Brown felt the Oilers could stick with their current defense, TSN's Ryan Rishaug argued that Darnell Nurse, recovering from an injury, might struggle without a reliable top-four partner. The Oilers enter training camp with several defensemen competing for roster spots, including Ty Emberson, Josh Brown, Troy Stecher and Travis Dermott. Head coach Kris Knoblauch has indicated that the focus is on selecting players who deserve to make the team rather than finding Nurse's ideal partner. However, Rishaug expressed concern, emphasizing the need for Nurse to perform well from the start, which might require a more experienced defenseman by his side. The Oilers plan on adding this season. It's the main reason they didn't overpay and match the offers tendered to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. But, will they wait until the trade deadline? How long are the Oilers willing to watch their blueline struggle before they make a move? Kane's injury gives them time to be measured and calculated. He'll be out for some time. That said, the Oilers like what they have in Emberson and he's getting the first looks at camp beside Nurse. If Emberson is capable of playing top-four minutes, it's unlikely the Oilers try to use any of Kane's salary cap to add to this team.
