Major injury update on Evander Kane revealed that will alter Oilers trade deadline plans
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According to new reports from Oilers insider Ryan Rishaug, forward Evander Kane is expected to miss the entire regular season rehabbing from his injuries.
Kane has had multiple surgeries for multiple injuries throughout this season, but his return timeline was always indefinite - which put a hold on the team's ability to make trades.
Evander Kane confirmed to miss the entire regular season by Oilers insider
TSN's Ryan Rishaug revealed that although Kane has been on the ice, he hasn't put together consistent efforts to suggest a return before the playoffs begin.
My understanding is Kane hasn't put back to back days of intense workouts together, and as the deadline draws near it's perhaps becoming more apparent that a return at playoff time is more likely
This means the Oilers will have significantly more cap space to work with at the trade deadline, as they can put Kane on LTIR for the rest of the season - freeing up his $5.125M salary for trades.
Oilers free to spend Evander Kane's salary in LTIR after latest injury update
Earlier this week, reports emerged that there were frustrations between the Oilers organization and Kane over their planned return timeline. Kane was reportedly pushing to play in-season, but the Oilers are confident in their medical opinion that would be making a return too early.
However, it's best for the team that Kane misses the entire season. Now, the Oilers will be able to add him to the playoff lineup when healthy, and still pursue upgrades in trade with the cap space.
Kane is facing an uphill battle to find his game in the playoffs at 33 years old after missing the entire season. If he's fully healthy and at his best though, adding a power forward who can score to the Oilers lineup would stack their forward group.
It's great news for the Oilers that Kane will miss the full season, and the team can Keep the player while making more additions in trade. Now, it's on management to improve the team.
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