Elliotte Friedman Unveils The Real Reason Why The Oilers Scratched Evander Kane

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Hunter Bowman
March 25, 2024 (6:46 PM)

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In a move that caught everyone off guard, Oilers' head coach Kris Knoblauch decided to leave Evander Kane out of the lineup just before their recent clash, officially citing it as a maintenance day.

However, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hinted there might be layers to this decision beyond just rest.

EF on 32TP about Kane's scratch:

«Kris Knoblauch came out before the Ottawa game on Sunday night and said Kane is out for maintenance you could tell the reporters who were there didn't believe it. I wondered about it too, is this a healthy scratch that they're keeping quiet. I wonder if the Oilers were just saying, we wanna do something here but we don't wanna pour gasoline on the fire... but that scratch a day after McDavid and Draisaitl getting roughed up a bit and Kane being a guy who can definitely do something, it had people wondering.»

Following a lackluster showing against the Maple Leafs, where Toronto outmatched Edmonton in physicality and Kane was spotted in a heated exchange with teammate Leon Draisaitl, questions arose. Friedman speculated that Kane's omission could be a strategic play by the coaching staff to inject more grit into his game.

Kane, who has been battling through minor injuries, might have also needed a break, especially considering the Oilers were playing two nights in a row. Yet, with Kane failing to find the back of the net in his last 16 appearances, many wonder if the decision was also a nod to his recent performance slump.

Amidst rumors of discontent over his role and playing time, sidelining Kane might just be the wake-up call needed. Known for his robust physical presence and knack for scoring, a fully engaged Kane is a force to be reckoned with. With an anticipated return against Winnipeg, eyes will be on how he responds to this brief hiatus, particularly against a team he once played for.

Source: Truth comes out on why the Edmonton Oilers scratched Evander Kane