Kane will undergo surgery and will miss training camp and the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Oilers' GM Stan Bowman said that Kane is going to be "out for a while." Kane still hasn't undergone surgery, so expect him to miss a significant portion of the season and he should open the fantasy hockey season on the waiver wire.
Canucks' fans received some excellent news on Tuesday as their star goaltender Thatcher Demko returned to the ice and is skating and working out with indications of being healthy for training camp. Demko was originally expected to miss the beginning of training camp as his offseason recovery was taking longer than expected but that news has been flipped with his return Tuesday. The 28-year-old was key in Vancouver's success last season, with his 35-14-2 record, 2.45 GAA, .918 SV% and 5 shutouts.
There is an expectation around the Oilers' camp that 33-year-old Evander Kane will undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury and will likely start the season on the Long-Term Injured Reserve. The bruising right-winger missed the Oilers last five games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an injury that would not allow him to sit on the bench and will look to right the ship after collecting 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games played in 2023-24.
Joseph will join his brother in St. Louis who was acquired in an earlier deal on Tuesday after the defensemen signed a one-year $950,000 contract with the Blues. The 25-year-old defenseman had spent the first four seasons of his career in Pittsburgh and had two goals, 11 points and 14 PIMs in 52 games played in 2023-24.
After five strong AHL campaigns, Jimmy Schuldt has signed a one-year, two-way contract with San Jose as he is expected to dress for the Barracuda (AHL) this season. The 29-year-old made his NHL debut straight out of college in 2018-19 but has since spent the passed five seasons between four different AHL organizations. In 2023-24 he had five goals and 24 points in 68 games with Coachella Valley (AHL).
After three seasons as Vegas' third goalie, Jiri Patera has signed a two-year, two-way contract with Vancouver. The 25-year-old netminder appeared in six games in 2023-24 with the Golden Knights, posting a 1-3-1 record, 3.98 GAA and .893 SV%.
Vancouver added to its defensive depth as it signed journeyman defenseman Derek Forbort to a one-year, $1,500,000 contract. The 32-year-old found himself in and out of Boston's lineup in 2023-24 but had four assists, 17 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 35 games played.
Vancouver added to its offensive depth on Monday as it signed Kiefer Sherwood to a two-year deal worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV). The 29-year-old is coming off his best statistical season in the NHL as he finished 2023-24 with 10 goals, 27 points, 41 PIMs and a +17 plus/minus.
Elias Petterson may have found his winger of the future as Vancouver signed left-winger Jake DeBrusk to a seven-year deal worth $38.5 million ($5.5M AAV). The 27-year-old had spent his first seven seasons in Boston and had 19 goals and 40 points in 80 games played in 2023-24.
Woo has been a staple of the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) for the last four seasons and will remain in Vancouver's organization after signing a one-year, two-way contract on Monday. The 23-year-old was the Canucks 2018 2nd-round pick (37th overall) and had seven goals and 31 points in 62 games with Abbotsford last season.
Myers finished a five-year contract that carried a $6.0M AAV cap-hit and signs a three-year extension at half the cap-hit. In 2023-24, Myers had his highest point total (29) since 2019 and had 100-plus blocked shots and hits for then second time in his 15-year career. Next season he should continue to be a top-4 option and among the team-leaders in PK/TOI.
Blueger appeared in 68 games for the Canucks in 2023-24, tying his career-best with 28 points (6G / 22A). He found chemistry on the third line with Conor Garland and Dakota Joshua, so expect him to fill a similar bottom-6 role and an important penalty killer next season.
Karlsson had an extremely successful 2023-24 with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL) picking up 23 goals and 60 points in 60 games played and has signed a one-year, two-way contract to remain with Vancouver. The 24-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in four games but failing to pick up a point.
Head Coach Kris Knoblauch said Edmonton is undecided on whether Kane will play in Game 3 after he missed the majority of the Oilers' practice on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is clearly battling injuries as he has been unable to sit while on the bench and only has one point in his previous nine games played.
Kane did not participate in the Oilers' morning skate on Monday ahead of Game 2 which led to some speculation that he may not dress but he has come out himself and stated "I will play". The 32-year-old bruising winger has been battling an undisclosed injury as of late which has led to him only producing one point in his previous eight playoff appearances.
