Evander Kane could get one more Edmonton look if Mike Babcock and the Oilers decide a camp tryout carries enough upside.
Oilers Hub raised the possibility of bringing Kane back on a professional tryout, reopening a relationship that once gave Edmonton a direct, physical scorer.
Kane recorded 13 goals and 18 assists last season. His 31 points show some offensive value remains, even if his market hasn't produced a guaranteed contract.
The harder number is his 0% WAR. That points to a season in which the overall impact didn't rise above replacement level.
A PTO would protect Edmonton from making an early commitment. Kane would enter camp needing to earn a contract, lineup spot and defined role.
It would also let Babcock evaluate the winger's pace, conditioning and ability to help the bottom six without forcing Stan Bowman into an immediate cap decision.
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The attraction is familiar. Kane knows the market, understands the pressure around Connor McDavid and wouldn't need weeks to learn what Edmonton expects from its forwards.
But familiarity can't be the deciding factor. The Oilers need players who can handle difficult shifts, reach the crease and produce without requiring protected deployment.
Kane's path back would likely depend on accepting a smaller role. A top-six assignment shouldn't be guaranteed after a 31-point season and an unsigned summer.
Camp competition would also keep the decision honest. If Kane outplays younger forwards and gives Babcock a needed element, Edmonton could offer him a short contract.
If the pace isn't there, the Oilers could walk away without carrying dead money or blocking a roster spot through the regular season.
The locker-room fit would receive just as much attention as the hockey. Babcock is installing a fresh structure, and every veteran addition must support that reset.
Edmonton doesn't need to promise Kane anything beyond an opportunity. A PTO would give him a route back while forcing him to prove that a reunion helps the Oilers now, not years ago.
Should the Edmonton Oilers bring Evander Kane to camp on a PTO?
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