The big news at the Edmonton Oilers' morning skate on Thursday was Prime Minister Mark Carney skating with his favourite team in his native city. It doesn't get much bigger than that.
The Prime Minister's presence, however, allowed another surprise guest to slip under the radar: Evander Kane. The veteran winger skated with the team for the first time this season on Thursday morning, having missed all of 2024-25 after hip, knee, and sports hernia surgeries.
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Though Kane is still expected to miss the rest of the regular season, this news means his return during the playoffs could come sooner rather than later.
The big question is where Kane will fit in the Oilers' lineup. Though he certainly has top-six pedigree, the 33-year-old mustered just 44 points in 77 games last season and is coming off multiple major surgeries. There's no way of knowing what he'll be able to contribute come the playoffs, though his aggressive and physical style will certainly be welcome.
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Kane's wasn't the only injury news revealed at morning skate. Head coach Kris Knoblauch announced after practice that Leon Draisaitl is day-to-day, and "doubtful" for Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.
"We're definitely being cautious," Knoblauch told the media. "We're hitting the end of the regular season, we want 100% from Leon when he's healthy, and we do not want it to linger.
"We feel this is something he probably could play through, maybe it's not an issue, but we certainly don't want it to be an issue for the long-term so we believe this is the right play."
Draisaitl had his 18-game point streak snapped in the Oilers' 7-1 win over Utah on Tuesday, and still sits one goal short of 50 for the season. He did spend some time on the bench in apparent pain talking to head trainer T.D. Forss in the second period of Tuesday's game, and seemed to be testing out his left ankle at times in that period.
The Oilers face the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night at 7 p.m., on Sportsnet.