Evander Kane appears to refuse assignment from Edmonton Oilers

Reports surfaced earlier this season that the Oilers wanted to look at a conditioning stint for Kane while the team is on their California road trip, but Kane wasn't so open to the idea.

Sportsnet's Mark Spector revealed that Evander Kane will not be joining the Condors, the team's AHL affiliate in California, while Kane in Los Angeles with the Oilers.

Previous reports from Spector indicated that Kane perhaps wasn't content with accepting the assignment to the AHL. Additionally, to clear cap space for next season, the Oilers may be interested in buying out Kane.

Evander Kane needed to approve any conditioning games to the AHL, so if he isn't making the trip, it's possible that declined the assignment. He was within his rights to refuse.

According to multiple reporters, Kane has been ramping up in practice in anticipation of returning to play as early as possible. Oilers management has tempered expectations with a later return, but some insiders believe he's gearing up for Game 1. For a few weeks now, he's been moving well in practice.

Kane is the type of personality to perhaps not want to taste the AHL after only playing 5 games in the minors in his 930 game career. In the end, it may just hold him back from making an earlier return.

When the Oilers are able to add the fully healthy power forward to their lineup in the playoffs, he'll make their team much deeper, and a much bigger playoff threat.