BLOG: Kane skates in full and Skinner returns at Monday's practice

EDMONTON, AB - The return of Evander Kane to the Edmonton Oilers lineup is looking like more of a reality with each passing practice.
The 31-year-old winger took part in full during Monday's skate at Rogers Place on the third line with Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele as he works his way back from a cut wrist he suffered on Nov. 8 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"I'm coming back with no excuses," the forward said in his Monday media availability after practice.
Kane has missed 31 games and would immediately provide a boost to Edmonton's forward group for an important Pacific Division meeting with the Seattle Kraken if he's given the all clear on Monday afternoon by team doctors to suit up for the first time in over two months.

Among the non-participants at Monday's practice were Devin Shore and Kailer Yamamoto, with the latter forward having missed the last two games for the Oilers after being unfit to dress in Friday's win over San Jose. Coach Woodcroft characterized Yamamoto's availability for Tuesday against Seattle as a 'wait-and-see' decision similar to Kane that doesn't need to be made until tomorrow.
"He's being evaluated. He's kind of in that same category," Woodcroft said. "He didn't practice with us today. He didn't feel good on that game day in San Jose on Friday morning. He went out and skated that morning, but didn't feel at his best and as a result, he didn't play that game. We got back real late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, and he's in the process of being evaluated."

Netminder Stuart Skinner was back practicing with the Oilers on Monday after missing the last two games of the Oilers four-game road trip to be with his wife Chloe for the birth of their first child 'Beau Stuart Skinner', who was born on Saturday at 10:54 a.m. at an incredibly-fitting seven pounds and four ounces (#74) on the morning of Edmonton's 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.
"Beau is great. Chloe did fantastic, she did an amazing job," Skinner said. "I'm so proud of both of them and one of the coolest experiences I've ever been a part of."
Skinner was grateful for the opportunity to take time away from the Oilers to witness the life-changing moment, but felt the effects of a few days off the ice after staying late at practice on Monday to get back into game shape -- potentially to even start Tuesday's game against Seattle.

"Yeah, I was (paying the price). I tried anyways," he said. "After the first couple of drills, I was pretty tired, and then you just battle through that tiredness for the first little bit and you kind of feel your legs. By the end of the practice, I felt much better and I thought I was going to be a lot worse, to be honest. I felt pretty good. First time on ice for six days, and normally even taking two-or-three days off, you feel like it's been a month since you skated again. I actually didn't feel that bad."
"I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now," Skinner said. "Being able to see him for the first time, my little buddy, and just the year has been great for everyone all around. I think our team has been doing really well, especially as of late, and getting the new contract, that was a moment in life that you'll never forget, and then seeing your first born is obviously a moment you'll never forget either.
"I've just been having a lot of moments in my life where there's a lot of gratitude going into my life and a lot of love and just really amazing things."
Lines at this morning's skate appeared as follows:
Draisaitl - McDavid - Hyman
Kostin - Nugent-Hopkins - Janmark
Kane - McLeod - Foegele
Holloway - Ryan - Puljujarvi
Nurse - Ceci
Kulak - Barrie
Broberg - Bouchard
Desharnais
Campbell
Pickard
Defenceman Markus Niemelainen was loaned to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors following Monday's practice.
Get all of the day's written and video content below:
WRITTEN

VIDEO
- THE PANEL | First Half Recap - PRACTICE RAW | Evander Kane - PRACTICE RAW | Stuart Skinner - PRACTICE RAW | Coach Jay Woodcroft