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Oilers release statement on Evander Kane after deadline, rumours of a disagreement
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers have released an official statement on Evander Kane, confirming that the forward will miss the entire season with injury.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that there was friction between Kane and the Oilers organization over his projected return timeline. Now that the deadline has passed, an official decision is finally here.
Edmonton Oilers confirm Evander Kane will miss the entire season with injury
According to a statement released by the organization moments ago, the Oilers' medical team has made the determination that Kane could not be healthy before the playoffs begin.
After further consultation with team medical staff, it has been determined that forward Evander Kane will not be ready to return to action for the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. As a result, he will remain on LTIR (long-term injured reserve).
- Edmonton Oilers
- Edmonton Oilers
Evander Kane is currently recovering from multiple surgeries for multiple injuries going back to last season. In training camp this year Kane had abdominal surgery to correct multiple injuries, then later had a second surgery to correct a knee injury.
Kane reportedly wanted to make a return to play and ramp up in the regular season, but that would've thrown a wrench in the Oilers trade deadline plans.
It's interesting the Oilers medical team was eventually the final authority to make the decision, because Kane would want to push through pain to play.
Kane underwent successful abdominal surgery last September. His rehabilitation continues to take place in Edmonton under the supervision of the club's medical staff.
The major implication for the Oilers with this confirmation is that the team can comfortably spend Kane's $5.125M in salary in LTIR. Without this salary flexibility, the Oilers wouldn't have been able to make their deadline deals.
Oilers will welcome Evander Kane back in the playoffs
The Oilers will be thrilled to get a power forward like Evander Kane back in the playoffs.
Kane played through injury for much of last season and was never quite himself, and still scored 24 goals and led the team in hits. When he's on his game and fully healthy, there's very few skilled power forwards like him left in the NHL.
It's unfortunate the Oilers will miss Kane for the rest of the season on the ice, but for their salary cap, it's a perfect situation. In the playoffs, hopefully the Oilers can get the best version of Evander Kane in years.
More details and analysis will be updated as information becomes available.
| POLL | ||
MARS 7 | 597 ANSWERS Oilers release statement on Evander Kane after deadline, rumours of a disagreement Do you think Evander Kane will be good when he returns from injury? | ||
| Yes, he's finally healthy | 453 | 75.9 % |
| No, he's old and will be behind | 144 | 24.1 % |
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