The Edmonton Oilers may soon have two top-six calibre forwards in Viktor Arvidsson and Evander Kane returning to the lineup, which will force a difficult decision to cut one player.
Viktor Arvidsson is resuming skating and expected to join Oilers practice in the next week, and Evander Kane is on pace to return early in 2025.
Even with two injuries, the Oilers wings are stacked with veterans and now a few decent younger players. When the two injured players return, at least two established players will have to come out of the lineup.
The quality play from Vasili Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen will certainly complicate things, and potentially lead to an uncomfortable choice with a veteran forward.
Edmonton Oilers Will Have to Cut Two Roster Players Upon Return of Injured Top Six Forwards
The most obvious candidate for the Oilers to send down to the AHL is be 39 year old centreman Derek Ryan, but that would put the Oilers in a difficult position of having to play Nugent-Hopkins at centre - so it may not even be possible.
The other logical choices are the veteran wingers: Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark, and Connor Brown. All three are older, checking forwards that have played well in depth minutes, but could perhaps be improved upon. Out of the three, the most likely to stay around may be the league-respected vet Corey Perry.
It's shocking considering that Oilers fans were so excited to sign him, but Jeff Skinner could be a player that departs the organization when Kane returns.
Skinner's tenure with the Oilers hasn't started great, mostly buried in bottom six minutes and unable to produce to expectations. Insider Bob Stauffer mentioned Skinner's name when discussing forward trades when Kane comes back.
Of course, it's also possible the Oilers could cut one of their younger players too. Kasperi Kapanen has been playing fine, but he doesn't have a recent history of success in the NHL, and is on the last legs of his pro career.
Evander Kane could also be moved instead, as his no-trade clause expires just before the trade deadline.
Regardless of who gets cut, it will be a very difficult decision for the Oilers. Hopefully Edmonton makes the right decision, and the team takes another step offensively as a result.
