Kane will miss significant time this season after undergoing surgery to repair multiple hernias and torn muscles. Edmonton Journal member Jim Matheson was pushing Kane hard for details on the date and location of the surgery, but Kane only made a joke about Matheson being obsessed. He clearly did not want to share that personal medical information, which is totally his right.
With the disappointing news of his absence to begin the year, it's good to see Kane is in good spirits and ripping up the media like he's in mid-season form.
Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman said earlier today that Evander Kane will be out indefinitely while he recovers from the surgery. Before today, we only knew that Kane was suffering from a hernia - the torn adductor muscles changes things significantly.
According to Dr. Harjas Grewal on X, Kane's surgery will come with a very complex rehab, and it's extremely unlikely that he will play at all this season.
If Kane is out for the entire season, then the Edmonton Oilers will be able to add more than $6M in salary in a trade at the deadline. They've got the salary cap space and the assets to make serious splash at the trade deadline this year, and they surely deserve it as a cup-contending team. Then again, the Oilers are still under the salary cap now, so Kane could return mid-season with no cap issues.
Evander Kane struggled at times last year as he played through these injuries, but still was able to score 24 goals and lead the team in hits. The Oilers will sorely miss their power forward, especially if he will miss this year's playoffs too.
POLL | ||
Do you think Kane will return in the regular season? | ||
Yes | 26 | 38.8 % |
No | 40 | 59.7 % |
See Results | 1 | 1.5 % |
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