Evander Kane's future with the Oilers questionable after new injury report

Kane dealt with several injuries throughout this season, even confirming that he was playing through a Sports Hernia before the playoffs. He sustained several other injuries in the playoffs but kept pushing through, until Coach Knoblauch was forced to scratch him in the Cup Final for a healthier player. Whether he requires surgery or not, Stauffer's report indicates he will likely be on LTIR to star the season.

For the immediate future, moving Evander Kane to the Long Term Injured Reserve will actually be beneficial for the Oilers. Kane's $5.25M salary will come off the books, giving the Oilers salary cap space to sign RFAs Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Currently, the Oilers are around $350K over the salary cap. The best case scenario for the Oilers may make use of a strategy the Golden Knights have used in recent years - Kane could be on LTIR all season, and play in the playoffs, with the Oilers exceeding the salary cap.

There have been plenty of rumours circulating as to Evander Kane's future with the Edmonton Oilers, given the fact that he's underperforming his contract and is getting up in age at 33 years old. Not only that, but there's also been moments of clear tension between Kane and the players and coaches.

The Oilers seemed to sign two replacement wingers in Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson, so Kane wouldn't even have much opportunity on the team anymore. Kane has a No-Movement Clause until the end of this season, but after that, a trade could be on the horizon. This year, hopefully he can return to the team in the playoffs and bring his best game for the Oilers one more time.

Source: Bob Stauffer