Report: Oilers' Evander Kane May Undergo Surgery

After admitting just before the playoffs that he was playing most of the year with a sports hernia, it appears that Evander Kane's status for the start of the new season is now very much in doubt, as Edmonton Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has revealed that Kane "may require surgery."

Hearing there is a very good chance that the @EdmontonOilers Evander Kane won't be ready for the start of the season...that he may require surgery...and is likely to be on LTIR to start the year
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) August 12, 2024

"Hearing there is a very good chance that the Oilers' Evander Kane won't be ready for the start of the season...that he may require surgery...and is likely to be on LTIR to start the year," reports Stauffer.

Kane had to miss five playoff games during the Oilers' run to the Stanley Cup Finals due to the sports hernia situation, though there is no confirmation at this point from the report that that is what the surgery is for.

Whatever the medical details, if the procedure comes to fruition, the Oilers must believe that Kane will miss at least the first 10 games and/or 24 days of the 2024-25 season, giving them the ability to place him and his $5.125 million cap hit on LTIR, gaining some temporary cap relief. This will come in handy for now, as the Oilers are about $350,000 over the cap, and still need to sign two key RFAs, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.

There was some trade talk early in the offseason surrounding Kane, but he holds a full no-move clause that he clearly isn't willing to waive. It's in effect until July 1st of next summer. The 33-year-old has two years left on his contract.

He recorded 24 goals and 20 assists for 44 points in 77 games last season, but saw his time-on-ice drop to a 14-year low of 16:47. He handed out a career-high 250 hits.