Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane recently underwent successful surgery, but one insider suggests his return might come at a challenging time for the team.
According to Jim Matheson, Kane’s recovery could take up to six months, potentially delaying his comeback until after the trade deadline in March 2025.
This would be problematic for the Oilers, as Kane would have little time to regain form before the playoffs, and the team wouldn’t have enough time to add him back to the roster before the trade deadline, complicating salary cap management.
Additionally, the Oilers are looking to acquire a top-four defenseman, and Kane’s return from long-term injured reserve (LTIR) could further complicate that process.
Early feeling is Evander Kane will be out 4 to 6 months after his surgery (two sports hernias, four muscle tears) in New York last Friday which is fairly loose timeline. Six months is past March 7 trade deadline, But still waiting for Oiler announcement after talking to doctors
Earlier reports from Elliotte Friedman suggested Kane might return by January, but this new timeline marks a significant delay.
Kane’s surgery addressed six major issues, including two hernias, two torn abductors, and two torn abdominal muscles. Given the severity of these injuries, it’s impressive that Kane continued to play last season, where he scored 24 goals and led the team in hits.
His return, whenever it happens, will be a major boost for the Oilers. With the team now under the salary cap, they’ll be able to activate him as soon as he’s ready.
