NHL launches investigation into Edmonton Oilers and Evander Kane, examining salary cap offence
Photo credit: Imagn Images
The NHL is currently investigating the Edmonton Oilers for violating the CBA surrounding Evander Kane's injury and return early in the playoffs, according to insider Frank Seravalli.
Evander Kane missed the entire regular season before returning in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs. If the NHL finds the Oilers violates the CBA or circumvented the salary cap, they could face punishment.
NHL investigating Edmonton Oilers for LTIR usage with Evander Kane injury
According to Seravalli's report, the Oilers have complied with every step of the NHL's investigation so far, but the league will continue to examine the situation before making a decision on punishment.
Sources say the NHL plans to continue to examine Edmonton's use of long-term injury (LTIR) salary cap relief with forward Evander Kane in the days and weeks ahead.
The NHL may require more information to satisfy itself that Oilers complied with the Collective Bargaining Agreement
The NHL is still deliberating on next steps. There is the potential for retroactive punishment if the league finds the spirit of the CBA was violated. No team in the salary cap era has been punished for LTIR usage, despite the hot button issue and no shortage of complaints in recent years.
- Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
The NHL may require more information to satisfy itself that Oilers complied with the Collective Bargaining Agreement
The NHL is still deliberating on next steps. There is the potential for retroactive punishment if the league finds the spirit of the CBA was violated. No team in the salary cap era has been punished for LTIR usage, despite the hot button issue and no shortage of complaints in recent years.
- Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
Evander Kane was sidelined for the entire season after having multiple surgeries for multiple injuries, then rehabbing and getting back up to game speed. Kane underwent surgery in training camp for several abdominal injuries, and again in January to correct a knee problem.
He first got back on the ice just after the 4 Nations Faceoff, and was never cleared to play by doctors until Game 2 of the first round. The Oilers didn't even spend Kane's money with LTIR additions until the last minute on trade deadline day.
It may have been possible Kane could have played injured in Game 82, as there were reports that he wanted to return earlier.
The Edmonton Oilers may have slow-played Kane's return into the lineup, but he was legitimately sidelined with serious injuries. The NHL choosing to investigate the Edmonton Oilers for this situation while ignoring others is nearly unbelievable.
Many other NHL teams have benefited from LTIR playoff rule
Matthew Tkachuk was sidelined from February until a return in Game 1 just this season, let alone all the years the Vegas Golden Knights have fielded playoff teams above the salary cap.
Any punishment to the Oilers, be it a financial penalty or a draft pick penalty, would be extremely costly to a contending team. In addition, it's likely going to be Kane's last year with the team anyway.
Any potential retroactive punishment by the NHL would loom large as every penny counts in Edmonton with extensions kicking in for Leon Draisaitl and likely Evan Bouchard.
- Frank Seravalli
- Frank Seravalli
The NHL rarely even pursues investigations this far, so it feels likely a punishment could really come - which feels both unbelievable, and entirely believable. Now that a Canadian team used the LTIR loophole, the NHL has to step in.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 18 | 1486 ANSWERS NHL launches investigation into Edmonton Oilers and Evander Kane, examining salary cap offence Do you think the Oilers will be punished for Kane's LTIR usage? | ||
| Yes | 557 | 37.5 % |
| No | 929 | 62.5 % |
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