Evander Kane

[Dazed and Confused]

He's a god-send for the current middle 6, who've struggled to get to the net all season, as they just don't have the size or power, but excel in open ice.

That's the one thing with Kane, the Oil don't have another player that 1) always looks to take the puck to the net and 2) has the size and skill to do it whenever they want.

I love Hyman, but Kane's goal is a great example of what he brings. I think Kopitar overpowers Hyman and gets him out of the crease, but you're just not going to do that with Kane unless you're Chara.

 

[Stoneman89]

That is one thing I really appreciate about Podkolzin especially when there are precious few players like that on this team.
It would be nice though if he was a threat to score. Even though he is predominantly getting minutes with Draisaitl he is 12th on the team in goal scoring with only 8 goals.
Its just not good enough.

I mean an almost 40 year old Corry Perry at 5x5 (playing mostly bottom pairing minutes) has scored almost double the goals Podkolzin has managed this season..

I have no problem with Podz. Just play him somewhere on the bottom 6 with the other slugs that try hard but can't score.

 

[guymez]

I have no problem with Podz. Just play him somewhere on the bottom 6 with the other slugs that try hard but can't score.

Tough to argue with this but the team sure thinks he is the best option for 2nd line RW.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

I have no problem with Podz. Just play him somewhere on the bottom 6 with the other slugs that try hard but can't score.

I agree, but we just don't have a good enough top 6 option and have too many bottom 6 players.

I still stand by our biggest need at the deadline was a top 6 forward.

Nuge Mcdavid Hyman
Kane Drai Tuch

Now that's a top 6. Suddenly the bottom 6 starts to look better also

 

[Stoneman89]

Tough to argue with this but the team sure thinks he is the best option for 2nd line RW.

I know. The team also thinks Stu Skinner is a good goalie as well.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

He's a god-send for the current middle 6, who've struggled to get to the net all season, as they just don't have the size or power, but excel in open ice.

That's the one thing with Kane, the Oil don't have another player that 1) always looks to take the puck to the net and 2) has the size and skill to do it whenever they want.

I love Hyman, but Kane's goal is a great example of what he brings. I think Kopitar overpowers Hyman and gets him out of the crease, but you're just not going to do that with Kane unless you're Chara.

Hyman hasn't seemed healthy all season long. When he's healthy he takes the puck to the net often and is hard to get off of the puck. Kane is our biggest and likely strongest forward (HM to Drai) and he's willing to get to the tough areas and kick some ass if they take liberties with him. On our team he is one of a kind and a very welcomed addition!

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

Kane was potentially going to be bought out. Now what?

 

[Canovin]

I always liked Kane. Hope he stays on the team next year. Just move on from Jeff Skinner, Henrique and Arvid. That's plenty of cap for Bouchard's raise, John Gibson (50%) and some additions to the forwards.

 

[MessierII]

Kane was potentially going to be bought out. Now what?

I don’t believe for a second they would consider buying him out. Makes no sense.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

I don’t believe for a second they would consider buying him out. Makes no sense.

Actually it did make perfect sense. We need the cap space and the buy out numbers look enticing.

We are in a win now mode and he's 34 next season.

It was definitely floating around the league that this was a possibility.

 

[MessierII]

Actually it did make perfect sense. We need the cap space and the buy out numbers look enticing.

We are in a win now mode and he's 34 next season.

It was definitely floating around the league that this was a possibility.

With the way our forward group is built it never made sense. Kane in an impact player when he’s healthy. Seems a lot of people need to be reminded of that over and over.

 

[Whoshattenkirkshoes]

With the way our forward group is built it never made sense. Kane in an impact player when he’s healthy. Seems a lot of people need to be reminded of that over and over.

That is exactly why I said what I said. Kane buyout was talked about and now after seeing him play we are reminded why this probably isn't the best idea.

 

[Canovin]

Next year would be a retool year for the Oilers unless we can move on from Nurse, Arvid, Henrique. Kane is exactly what we need. He's just overpaid at this point in his career. We have 2 years of deadcap left from Jack Campbell. No reason to keep adding more deadcap when Kane is still an useful player.

 

[Stoneman89]

Another impactful game from Kane as he gets more and more into the swing of things. A howitzer off the post and several rushes down the wing, getting by the dman with his speed and strength. This is a very good sign.