As the puck drops in Vancouver for Tuesday’s key Western Conference matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane is a ‘healthy scratch.’

Kane, 23, has been rumoured to be playing hobbled for a while and has an injury plagued season. He’s already missed 13 games due to injury this season with a variety of lower-body ailments (a sprained right knee, and a classic, vaguely defined lower-body injury). 

Though injuries and a short suspension have limited him to only 37 games this season, the ace volume shooter has managed 10 goals and 22 points. If he’s not hurting (or traded – is it too early to react to all healthy scratches this way, or…), it would seem an odd decision to scratch him in his hometown.

Another possibility has arisen. Apparently Evander Kane showed up late to the arena for the morning skate. Coach Paul Maurice may be disciplining the young power forward despite Kane posting a 61% Corsi and 3 points in the team’s 4 game losing streak. 

Dustin Byfuglien has been moved back to forward due to the Jets not having any extra healthy forwards on the roster to replace Kane. It’s been well established previously that Byfuglien’s impact as a forward has been predominately negative.