Questionable circumstances around Evander Kane's surgery

Stauffer is the most credible source reporting this information, but it doesn't line up with some other reports surrounding Evander Kane. Just before the playoffs, Kane confirmed to the media himself that he had been playing through a Sports Hernia for a majority of the season. This shocked many fans, wondering why Kane wouldn't have been taken out of the lineup much sooner to recover - even to use the LTIR space at the trade deadline. Kane then sustained multiple other injuries in the playoffs, still while avoiding surgery to correct the hernia.

Then in the offseason, Kane has been spotted out and about at numerous events, leading many to believe his health was improved. Kane went to the ESPYs award show, some celebrity golf events, and recently the 2 Mutts Hockey Podcast reported that Kane was opting for rehabilitation efforts instead of surgery to recover from his injuries. Some fans are saying he wanted to have his summer off not recovering from surgery.

Now with Stauffer reiterating that Kane may need surgery, it seems like he's been avoiding an imminent operation for quite a while, or at least hoping he didn't have to do it. With Stauffer's new report, it seems like Kane isn't able to play hockey at 100%, and despite his best efforts for recovery a surgery is required. Surgery recovery timelines are unpredictable, but it's possible Evander Kane could miss the entire season.

The Oilers are certainly a better team with a healthy Evander Kane in their lineup - he can be an electric power forward with the ability to score up to 30 goals a season. He wasn't able to show that last season plagued by injuries, and it may cost him all of this year. The Oilers may have even been expecting this, considering the signings of Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson. Hopefully Kane is able to recover any way possible this season, and is able to return to the lineup in the playoffs.