Insider confirms NHL investigated Oilers for Evander Kane injury, reveals their ruling
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Insider Elliotte Friedman is confirming that the NHL scrutinized the Edmonton Oilers about Evander Kane's LTIR usage, and likely made the call to hold him out of Game 1.
Friedman revealed yesterday that he believed the NHL was investigating multiple teams for their LTIR usage, with the Oilers and Kane's situation among them.
Insider confirms Oilers were criticized for Kane's injury, may return in Game 2
On last night's intermission panel, Friedman confirmed that Kane may have been held out of Game 1 by the NHL, and he may be able to return in Game 2. The league seems to be enforcing an unofficial rule.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if we see him in Game 2. I've heard the NHL really scrutinized a number of teams late in the regular season and they wanted detailed explanations of why some players couldn't play Game 82, and then could be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs.
I think Kane was one of those players. I don't think he was the only one around the NHL, but I think he was one of the players scrutinized, and I do think it's possible that's why he's not playing Game 1.
- Elliotte Friedman
I think Kane was one of those players. I don't think he was the only one around the NHL, but I think he was one of the players scrutinized, and I do think it's possible that's why he's not playing Game 1.
- Elliotte Friedman
The NHL is finally addressing the salary cap loophole that allowed teams to ice lineups in Game 1 of the playoffs significantly above the salary cap - most notably with Mark Stone in Vegas.
Evander Kane is ready to join Oilers lineup, but may have been held out by NHL
In the Oilers defence, Evander Kane still may not actually be fully healthy. He's recovering from multiple surgeries for multiple injuries, and hasn't played a conditioning stint.
However, Evander Kane has said that he feels healthier now than at any point in the playoffs last season. Players always play through pain, and if it was solely up to him, he'd have been in the lineup already.
When asked about the final step for his injury clearance, Kane chuckled and couldn't say why.
REPORTER: What's the final step to get clearance to play?
KANE: I don't exactly know what the final step may be, or maybe I don't want to share it. I think we're really close. If you ask me if I'm ready for Game 1, I could barely skate and I could play in the playoffs last year. I'm ready to go.
KANE: I don't exactly know what the final step may be, or maybe I don't want to share it. I think we're really close. If you ask me if I'm ready for Game 1, I could barely skate and I could play in the playoffs last year. I'm ready to go.
The Oilers didn't have the salary cap space to activate Kane for Game 82, but could do so now they're in the playoffs. Whenever the NHL allows, Kane will be ready to play - Friedman believes it could be Game 2.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 22 | 889 ANSWERS Insider confirms NHL investigated Oilers for Evander Kane injury, reveals their ruling Do you think the NHL enforcing this rule now is unfair? | ||
| Yes | 774 | 87.1 % |
| No | 115 | 12.9 % |
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