Oilers News and rumors: Kane, McDavid, Crosby, Puljujarvi – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

In Edmonton Oilers news and rumors, as the NHL prepares for the much-anticipated matchup between Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, another emotional narrative is unfolding: Jesse Puljujarvi's return to Edmonton to face his former team. Meanwhile, the Oilers have some promising news regarding Evander Kane, who may return to the lineup sooner than expected, giving a much-needed boost to a team struggling for consistency. In addition, McDavid expressed his eagerness to team up with Crosby in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, representing Crosby to wear the captain's 'C'. He calls the decision “absurd.”

Evander Kane Return to Oilers Expected in Early 2025

There may be some good news for the Oilers as forward Evander Kane may return to the lineup sooner than expected. Originally expected to be sidelined until March or possibly the remainder of the 2024-25 NHL season, Kane could now join the team as early as 2025. NHL insider Kevin Weekes recently reported that Kane is on track to return from surgery to deal with multiple issues. injury.

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Kane's return will provide a significant boost to the Oilers, who have struggled to find consistency in their performance this season. Weekes shared, “I'm being told that F Evander Kane is likely to return to the Edmonton Oilers roster due to injuries/surgery, etc., in early 2025.” This is ahead of schedule as early speculation sounds like he may be more than a playoff addition.

The prospect of Kane returning to the ice is encouraging for both the team and its fans. Known for his goalscoring ability and physical play, Kane's attributes are missing from the squad this season. And, because the team is not scoring as much as they hope, his 20-plus goals are not missed.

Jesse Puljujarvi Prepares to Face Ex-Club Strikers for the First Time

While many eyes are on the highly anticipated matchup between McDavid and Crosby, Jesse Puljujarvi's return to Edmonton should not be overlooked. This marks Puljujarvi's first game with the Oilers since leaving, and he shared his thoughts in an interview with The Daily Hive.

“I'm happy to play my first game against the Oilers,” said Puljujarvi. “A lot of memories—I played my first game, over 300 games, so a lot of memories. Good games, bad games. It was really good to be a part of the Oilers.”

Now with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Puljujarvi has fully recovered from the hip surgery that limited his play last season. He plays a major role in Pittsburgh's top six teams, having already tallied five points in just seven games this year. He commented:

“It's been a long journey for me, coming back from major surgery and long treatment. This summer was great for me because I didn't have to do rehab. I was able to train.”

The fans are expected to give him a warm welcome, even after years of friction with the club as he tries to find his place in the NHL.

McDavid Backs Crosby as Captain for 4 Nations Face-Off

In a recent statement, McDavid expressed interest in working with Crosby in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off but believes that it is not a question of who should be the captain. “He's been there a lot of times,” McDavid said.

As for playing with Crosby, he added, “I'm looking forward to that.” Before that, they will play against each other. McDavid is set to face Crosby for the 14th time in their careers during the regular season. “We still want to win; he still wants to win tomorrow. The fire of competition will be there, but in February we will be playing with them,” commented McDavid.