Insider updates Oilers approach to Kane Injury and Salary Cap before trade deadline
The Edmonton Oilers have total wild card in Evander Kane's complex injury and return timeline, but new reports suggest the team is operating under the assumption he will not return before the playoffs.
If Kane is out for the entire regular season, the Oilers will be able to spend with his $5.125M in salary at the trade deadline, and ice a playoff lineup well over the salary cap.
Oilers insider says Edmonton can spend Kane's $5.125M at trade deadline
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of the Athletic revealed in a new report the Oilers are appearing to solidify their approach that Kane will miss the whole season.
Should that happen, the Oilers could have a little more than $5 million in cap space to use before the deadline.
- Daniel Nugent-Bowman
Nugent-Bowman's report stressed that the Oilers are still keeping their options open for a Kane return in-season. The team is expected to get their final report on Kane's return timeline at the beginning of March, just before the trade deadline - at that point, the information will be actually useful.
Considering Kane's extremely complex injuries, surgeries, and rehab routines for multiple different injuries, it's hard to imagine he could return this season.
Kane just had surgery on his knee which requires 2-6 weeks more of rehab, before he can resume rehab for his abdominal surgery. After that, he'll need time on-ice to get up to speed after missing a full season.
The Oilers certainly miss Kane's secondary goal scoring and physical presence, but they haven't been hurt too much in the standings. When he returns though, he'll surely help add another dimension and strengthen the team's bottom six.
Hopefully Kane is able to return at full health and be an effective player - but in the playoffs, after the Oilers have already boosted their roster through trades by spending his salary cap.
