As part of their quest to save money and get younger, the Edmonton Oilers parted ways with several forwards this offseason. Key among them were Connor Brown, Corey Perry, and Evander Kane. An interesting question popped up on social media: if the team could have kept just one, who should it have been?
Each player brought something unique to the Oilers’ recent Stanley Cup Final runs. While all three forwards got several votes in the comments section of the post, one theme seemed obvious when looking at the responses that came with an explanation.
The answer depends on what you value most—production, potential, or presence.
Evander Kane: The Difference-Maker
A polarizing player ever since he entered the NHL, Evander Kane seemed to receive the most votes. That's because of how of a difference-maker he is/was when healthy. A unicorn in today's NHL, Kane at 100 percent is a true power forward who plays with bite and scores in bunches. He's the kind of player you hate to play against, but don't mind on your team — unless you're the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, or Buffalo Sabres.
He had six goals and six assists in last season's playoffs. He had four and four in the season prior. Both were down years. As was 2022-23. But, in 2021-22, when he played his first postseason hockey with the Oilers, his 13 goals in 15 games led the NHL. The San Jose Sharks had cast him off, but the Oilers took a shot on him. It paid off as he quickly reminded everyone of his value, especially when it mattered most.
He may never reach those levels again, but he'll be motivated as a part of the Vancouver Canucks and in the last year of his current contract. Many expect Kane to hit the 25+ goal mark, and for $5.25 million, that kind of production and edge is hard to replace.
Corey Perry: The Savvy Vet
Corey Perry, despite being 40, was a travel-tested warrior. His leadership in both the regular season and playoffs will be missed. He scored clutch goals and filled in nicely for an injured Zach Hyman as part of the Oilers, but his bad luck in the Stanley Cup Final is the stuff of legend. His willingness to get under opponents’ skin was invaluable. The pesky Kings will embrace what he brings.
Oilers fans and even outsiders agree his “heart and soul” impact won’t be easy to replace. But the concern is repeatability. Can Perry really post another near-20-goal season? He signed for more money than the Oilers were willing to pay. Now with the Kings, he is bit pricey for someone whose best days are clearly behind him.
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Connor Brown: The Two-Way Energy Guy
Connor Brown might be the most well-rounded of the three players listed. Still relatively young, he took some time to get going when he arrived in Edmonton, but once he did, became a very useful two-way forward. In the 2023-24 playoffs, he took significant steps and was quite impactful after recovering from injury.
His speed, versatility, penalty killing prowess, and overall attitude on the ice and in the locker room will be missed. Some fans in the comments section argued his skill set is replaceable, which may be true. And, but he’s arguably the best bet for long-term contribution. At $3 million for four years, he’s no longer an inexpensive option. If he scores more, he'll be worth what the New Jersey Devils are paying him. If he doesn't, that contract may wind up looking like a mistake.
So Who Is The Best Pick to Return?
Again, what you value most in a player might determine who you select here. If you're going after productivity at a low price point, it might be Perry. That said, he won't offer much beyond this season, assuming he can repeat what he did in 2024-25. If you want physicality and intimidation, it's Evander Kane. Health is a concern. Two-way play, energy, and penalty killing? It's Connor Brown all day long.
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For the Oilers, who are trying to get over the hump and win a Stanley Cup with this core, Kane offers the biggest potential impact. He's the most expensive of the three players, but he can be a game-breaker when motivated and healthy.
The upside of Kane in a contract year is too tempting to ignore. The feeling is he'll do well in Vancouver if he can stay on the ice. That includes avoiding injury and silly penalties or suspensions that take him out of the action. He'll be a physical presence for them, and likely get close to 20 goals.
Then again, the Oilers are going to have to play against him a few times this season since they traded him within the division. That might tell us something about how concerned they are that he'll be a problem for them.
Who would you have kept, especially if salary wasn't a factor?
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