Oilers $20 Million Forward Set to Miss Months Entering 2025 Season

Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane is expected to undergo surgery. That should lead the franchise to place him on Long Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) and sideline him for more than two months, according to Sportsnet's insider Elliotte Friedman.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer reported similar information in parallel to Friedman, pretty much confirming Kane's situation and (lack of) availability going forward.

“I believe Evander Kane is going to have surgery," Friedman said on the August 14 episode of the '32 Thoughts' podcast . "I think one of the reasons it took this long is because there was some conversations--which doctor was going to do it, and who was available.”

Friedman believes Kane will be out longer than two months, potentially until the 2025 calendar year. “He’s going to be out months, I’m not talking like 1-2 months.”

Edmonton Journal's David Staples quoted Bob Stauffer on August 12 echoing similar information.

“Hearing there is a very good chance that the Edmonton 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.”

Kane’s potential absence could be a blessing in disguise for the Oilers. Edmonton is facing salary cap problems (the franchise is more than $7 million above the cap with two players tendered offer sheets by the St. Louis Blues) so placing Kane on LTIR would temporarily free up his $5.1 million cap hit.

That said, if Kane returns mid-season, the Oilers must ensure they have the necessary cap space available to accommodate him, complicating their roster management and forcing the franchise to waive or trade someone.

Kane’s health was a significant concern during the 2024 playoffs, where his injuries limited his impact in the later rounds and raised concerns about how important he is for the franchise going forward.

It's worth noting Kane has a full no-move clause in his four-year, $20.5 million contract , which allows him to block any trade the Oilers agree to involving the forward. That complicates moving on from him even if the franchise decides that's the best thing to do.

Related: St. Louis Blues Pull Off Bold Moves Against Cap-Strapped Oilers