While the Edmonton Oilers have enjoyed a successful season overall, the performance of Oilers winger Evander Kane has been less than stellar. At the start of the season, the 32-year-old showed promise with 20 points in Edmonton’s initial 21 games. However, his performance has declined since then, managing only 19 points in the following 47 games. Kane’s scoring slump, characterized by a 10.3% shooting percentage, has persisted since February 19, causing concern among fans and management alike.
Recently, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch opted to bench Kane against the Ottawa Senators, citing a “maintenance day.” The exact nature of this designation remains unclear, but it underscores Kane’s struggle to perform at his best. Currently, he has only three more points than fellow Oilers forward Warren Foegele.
While Zach Hyman’s scoring has alleviated some pressure, Kane’s resurgence is crucial for Edmonton’s playoff prospects. His past playoff successes contrast sharply with his recent performance, raising doubts about his ability to deliver in crucial games. Should Kane fail to step up, questions about his future with the team will undoubtedly arise.
With two years left on his $5.125 million annual contract, Kane may face discussions about his future with the Oilers this summer. While there’s still time for him to turn his season around, the window is narrowing, and the pressure is mounting. Playing in a demanding market like Edmonton exacerbates the scrutiny on Kane, making his performance all the more critical.
Ultimately, if Kane fails to contribute significantly during the remainder of the season and playoffs, Oilers management will have to reconsider his place within the team. Despite his intermittent successes, Kane’s inability to consistently deliver top-tier results has put him under the microscope, intensifying the pressure on both him and the organization.