Sure you can! We patched our hardwood at a number of places including where we took out fireplaces, expanded doorways, and where we moved walls. It is easier to do if you only have to worry about lining-up one side (if the other end hits a wall for example and can be hid under baseboard). We did have places where we had to butt the new piece up to exisiting wood on both ends- it just takes a bit more precise measuring. In both cases we followed these steps:
Prepare the opening:
1. Identify where the seams are or mark where to cut (if the seam is too far away). We marked our seams with masking tape- be sure to stagger the seams.
2. We used a large piece of steel as a guide and routed any new 'seams'. Be careful not to cut past the one piece of hardwood you are working on...I speak from experience. Use a corner punch and hammer to clean the edges.
3. Using the router, rip the hardwood down the center to the seam- pull out and discard.
4. After you have prepared the opening, measure and cut your replacement pieces. We had a machine to cut the tongue and grove ends but if you don't have one you could chisel off any tongues that were a problem. Slide your new piece of hardwood in and attach it. You may have to shim under pieces or edges to make them line-up correctly. For the final piece you will probably need to chisel off or cut off the tongue to get it to snap in place. We tacked the final piece with small finish nails.

The process isn't hard- just time consuming and VERY detail demanding. I'll try to dig-up some pictures of the process if you are interested in seeing them. (I'm on a new computer and my stuff is still on the old one).

Hope this helps!

Use flooring from inside closets to make your patches and then put new in the closets.

Thanks nkkp! Unfortunately, this is not against a wall. Its going to pretty much be in the middle of the kitchen - of course. But, its great to know that it is at least possible.

lido - thanks. That's an idea I wouldn't have thought of - but they didn't put hardwood in the closets. Good idea though.

If it's a standard flooring size and species you can just buy more, integrate it into the mix and refinish the floor.
You would need to be a little more detailed in the post to get specific suggestions.
Is this a prefinished floor? Do you know who made it? Is the company still making the flooring? What is the size and wood species?
If it's a generic 2 1/4" oak floor, it will be easy.
Ron

Its a pretty generic 2 1/4" oak floor but fiance isn't sure who manufacturer/supplier was and wholesaler doesn't have the record from that far back either. We were hoping to not re-finish it because we didn't think it would match the adjoining dining room and great room which both have hardwood. Guess that's probably what we're going to have to do.
Electrician is going to have option of cutting a trough in the basement ceiling (which is popcorned) in order to wire for a new oven or taking up some of the hardwood floor in the kitchen. He swears it will be cheaper/easier to go the basement ceiling route but I'm not so sure - especially if we will be doing floor work in the kitchen anyway. Have any thoughts about that one way or the other?