Evander Kane's Return From Injury May Force Oilers Into Trading a Surprising Forward
The Edmonton Oilers will have a wild card to this season when power forward Evander Kane returns from injury, but it may force the team to deal another forward.
According to a recent report from Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, Edmonton may need to deal a left winger to free up a lineup space for Kane when he returns. Stauffer mentioned Mattias Janmark as one possibility, and came just short of suggesting Jeff Skinner as well.
- Bob Stauffer, OilersNow
To hear Stauffer even mention Skinner as a possibility for trade is extremely interesting. Skinner has played well and got plenty of offensive chances in his short time with the Oilers, but has only put up 2 goals and 5 points in 11 games, while being moved to the third line. Janmark on the other hand has term on his contract, and me be better suited to playing a third and fourth line role than Skinner.
If the Oilers end up not too happy with the production and play from Jeff Skinner, they likely wouldn't have a tough time trading him. The 32 year old veteran winger has played over 1000 games and is on a bargain contract of just $3M. If he scores he could have a great season with the Oilers, but some are beginning to be concerned about his fit on the team.
It would be a gutsy move to move Jeff Skinner after signing him to such a bargain deal, but replacing him with a healthy Evander Kane maybe wouldn't be a bad deal. The spotlight will now be on for Skinner to step up and start scoring, or he may not make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 2 | 139 ANSWERS Evander Kane's Return From Injury May Force Oilers Into Trading a Surprising Forward Do you think the Oilers will trade a forward away this year? | ||
| Yes, they could move a forward | 81 | 58.3 % |
| No, they'll keep their veteran forwards | 48 | 34.5 % |
| See Results | 10 | 7.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
