According to commentator Tom Gazzola of Yeg Sports Talk and the NHL Network, the Edmonton Oilers will start training camp with two of their pivotal players, Darnell Nurse and Evander Kane, sidelined due to injuries.

Gazzola reported: “Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse are expected to begin training camp on the injured list. Nurse has been participating in informal skates and is recovering from a lingering issue from the playoffs. The expectation is that he will be ready later in camp.”

1. The Edmonton Oilers might have secured the Stanley Cup if either Kane, Nurse, or Leon Draisaitl had been fully healthy and performing at their peak during the Final against Florida. Instead, each player was hindered: Draisaitl struggled to score, Nurse made uncharacteristic mistakes, and Kane couldn’t impose himself physically or contribute offensively as he did earlier in the playoffs.
2. None of the three players have undergone surgery, suggesting that Draisaitl is likely recovered and ready. The team’s depth, including promising prospects like Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway, should help fill the gaps. The key is not their current status but their health come April, when the playoffs begin. Last season, Kane, in particular, was dealing with a core injury that impacted his performance.
3. The Oilers need Nurse and Kane at their best. Despite some fans’ skepticism about Nurse and Kane, the season’s narrative will focus on whether defensive coach Paul Coffey can maximize Nurse’s performance. Other Oilers defensemen have improved significantly under Coffey, except for Nurse, whose decline was notable. However, injuries may have played a role in this decline.

Nurse, with a $9.25 million annual cap hit for the next six years, needs to return to his previous form—a tough, reliable defenseman capable of shutting down top attackers and moving the puck effectively.

4. Kane has faced criticism, partly influenced by negative reports from his time in California. Despite this, Kane played a crucial role in the playoffs, notably neutralizing Vancouver’s Nikita Zadorov. If he can fully recover, Kane could still provide the scoring and physical presence needed for future playoff success.
5. There were concerns over the summer about whether Kane would undergo surgery, but it seems he prefers to heal on his own. His best days as an Oiler may still be ahead if he is given the time to recover properly.
6. In the meantime, Brett Kulak has shown he can perform well in a Top 4 defense role, and Ben Gleason has proven himself capable as a third-pairing defenseman. Travis Dermott is also a new option on the left side.

For Kane, his absence opens opportunities for Vassily Podkolzin, Roby Jarventie (if his knee injury is healed), and Raphael Lavoie, who is looking for a chance to secure a spot with the Oilers.

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