As Oilers Fans Raise Concerns Over Team’s Grit Without Kane and Perry, Is Edmonton Losing Its Physical Edge?

As I sift through the comment sections on social media, there’s a distinct undercurrent buzzing within the Oilers’ fanbase—a sense of unease, even vulnerability. While many are rightfully excited about the club’s elite talent and legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations, there’s a contingent worried about a crucial element slipping through the cracks. What happens to the team’s bite—its grit, edge, physical presence—without players like Evander Kane and Corey Perry?

It’s not an unfounded concern. When it comes to the NHL playoffs, we all know it’s not just skill that gets you across the finish line. It’s the stuff in between—the clutch hits, net-front scrums, and veteran intimidation. And with both Kane and Perry potentially out of the picture heading into the 2025-26 season, the question needs to be asked: Are the Oilers going soft at exactly the wrong time?

Let’s start with what the team loses without Evander Kane. Say what you want about his polarizing personality or inconsistent production, Kane brought a level of ferocity to the ice that few in the league can match. He’s the type of guy who can score a backbreaking goal and then drop the gloves to defend a teammate on the next shift. He made opponents think twice before getting too chippy with the likes of Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. When Kane is healthy and engaged, he’s a rare hybrid of power and skill—a playoff-style weapon.

Corey Perry, despite being well past his peak years, still had that swagger. That smirk. That troll energy that gets under the skin of opponents and frustrates them into bad penalties. He didn’t need to play 20 minutes a night to be effective. A quick bump after the whistle or a sly jab with the stick in front of the net could be just as important as a goal. His presence gave Edmonton an edge, a kind of psychological warfare few others on the roster could replicate.

Without them, the Oilers become a little more predictable, a little easier to play against. McDavid is the best player in the world, but he’s not going to throw a huge hit or start a scrum. Draisaitl plays with power, sure, but he’s not an agitator. Zach Hyman brings effort and a relentless motor, but he’s not the kind of guy you throw out to send a message. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evan Bouchard are pure skill. This core, while brilliant offensively, isn’t exactly built to grind down a team over seven bruising games.

In today’s NHL, yes, speed and skill win more often than not. But in May and June, when whistles get swallowed and forechecking becomes trench warfare, size and snarl still matter. Just look at how Florida clawed its way to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals by blending elite talent with a pack mentality. Look at how Vegas won last year with a wave of massive defensemen and a punishing forecheck. There’s a reason “heavy hockey” becomes a playoff cliché year after year—it works.

So if Kane and Perry are indeed on the outs, where does that leave Edmonton?

There are a few possibilities. Internally, someone like Mattias Janmark might try to step into that gritty role, but he doesn’t have the same presence or nastiness. Warren Foegele brings speed and physicality, but again, he’s not an enforcer-type. Maybe someone like Vincent Desharnais provides bite on the back end, but it’s not quite the same as having forward muscle up front.

Could the answer lie in a new addition? Perhaps. GM Ken Holland—or whoever’s steering the ship next—might be eyeing a gritty depth winger in free agency or via trade. Someone with sandpaper and playoff scars. A Pat Maroon type. A Garnet Hathaway. A guy whose stats don’t jump off the page but whose value soars when the games get ugly. The Oilers have enough top-six talent to compete with anyone. What they need now is a bottom-six that can wear down the opposition and protect their stars.

There’s also the X-factor of the room itself. Perry wasn’t just physical—he was vocal. He brought years of playoff experience and a Stanley Cup pedigree into that locker room. If he’s gone, who becomes the voice in those tight moments? Does McDavid take another step as a leader? Does Darnell Nurse become more than just a minutes-eater and step up emotionally? Leadership, like toughness, can’t always be quantified on a spreadsheet—but you sure notice when it’s not there.

To be fair, some Oilers fans might argue that toughness is overrated—that the NHL is trending toward pace and puck possession, not penalty minutes. And there’s truth in that. But the thing is, you don’t need goons or brawlers. You need presence. You need the threat. The best “tough guys” in today’s game aren’t liabilities—they’re disruptors. They make space for your stars and sow chaos for your rivals.

Evander Kane was exactly that. Corey Perry, in his limited role, was that too. Without them, teams might feel a little bolder going after McDavid. A little more confident crashing the crease. A little less afraid of the consequences.

And that’s what Woz and so many fans in the comments seem to be getting at. It’s not about bringing in a fighter for fighting’s sake. It’s about protecting the heart of your team. About making sure when the game gets dirty, the Oilers don’t get pushed around. Because for all the artistry of McDavid’s rushes and the brilliance of Draisaitl’s cross-seam passes, playoff hockey still lives in the mud.

Of course, this discussion also hinges on whether Kane is truly gone. He’s under contract, but trade rumors persist, and some suggest a buyout could be on the table. If he does return, the concerns quiet a bit. But if both he and Perry are officially off the board, Edmonton will need to fill that void—strategically, not sentimentally.

The 2025-26 Oilers should be contenders again. With McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes, anything less than a deep run will be considered a failure. But it’s not just about scoring goals. It’s about winning battles, setting tones, pushing back. It’s about that invisible line where finesse meets fire. The teams that master both often end up hoisting the Cup.

So Woz, you’re not crazy for asking. You’re not overanalyzing. You’re tapping into something real. If the Oilers don’t address that void—don’t find a way to replace the toughness and edge that Kane and Perry brought—they may look a little prettier on paper, but a lot less dangerous when it matters most.

Edmonton’s roster is a Ferrari. Fast, sleek, and jaw-dropping in motion. But even a Ferrari needs bumpers when the road turns rough. Kane and Perry were those bumpers. Now, it’s up to the front office to find new ones—or risk watching another promising season crash out when the game gets heavy.