Latest Evander Kane Injury Update Shakes Things Up For Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are navigating a high-stakes balancing act as the trade deadline looms, with Evander Kane's uncertain playoff return casting a shadow over their strategy. 

TSN’s Ryan Rishaug recently dropped a crucial update on Kane’s injury status, one that could significantly sway the Oilers’ trade decisions.

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.. with that said they’ll be careful here, but my sense is we could see them with…

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) March 6, 2025

Rishaug posted:

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. With that said, they’ll be careful here, but my sense is we could see them with more space to work with than previously thought.

While the Oilers aren’t entirely sure Kane won’t return before the playoffs, the signs are increasingly pointing to his absence. If he’s ruled out, the Oilers could gain an additional $5.125 million in cap space to bolster their roster ahead of the deadline. 

But is banking on Kane’s absence a gamble worth taking?

The challenge isn’t just about medical clearance—it’s about Kane himself. Known for his free-spirited and unpredictable nature, Kane could stir the pot if he feels ready to play and decides to push the issue.

However, if the NHL steps in, deems him healthy, and the Oilers lack the cap space to reintegrate him, it could spell disaster.

That said, if the Oilers are confident—let’s say 99.9% sure—that no doctor will clear Kane, they can aggressively pursue upgrades without worrying about cap complications or scrambling to offload players.

As Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic put it, the team faces two paths: either Kane returns and contributes, or the Oilers pivot to Plan B. He explains: 

Though Kane could address some key needs, the Oilers would benefit from another scoring winger, a depth centre, bolstering the blue line and perhaps a change in net. That’s a lot. They’ll have a hard time doing any of that if Kane is healthy enough to suit up before the playoffs.

The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking. Will the Oilers play it safe or take the risk? Stay tuned to find out!

Image - Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn