Two key Oilers players to miss training camp

According to a report from Edmonton Oilers insider Tom Gazzola of the NHL Network, the Oilers will start the season with both forward Evander Kane and defenseman Darnell Nurse on the injured reserve.

Gazzola reports that Nurse has been battling an injury that he suffered last year in the playoffs and still isn't at 100% health. The injury to Kane, of course, is well known. It's been expected for awhile now that he'll begin the 2024-25 season on the injured reserve. 

From Gazzola:

The news on Nurse certainly is surprising, as there have been no reports this offseason on his health. If he can't get into game shape in time for the start of the regular season, it'll be interesting to see how the team fares without him. There's a substantial portion of the Oilers fanbase who feel that Nurse is a net-negative for the team and that they'd simply be better off without him and his $9.5 million cap hit in the lineup. Well, if he can't start the season then Oilers fans are going to get to test their theory.