Evander Kane Contract Could Force Oilers Trade Decision

The Edmonton Oilers are facing a tough decision with power forward Evander Kane, who’s itching to get back on the ice before the playoffs begin.

Kane, 33, hasn’t played a single game this season due to injuries that required multiple surgeries. But here’s where things get interesting: his full no-trade clause just expired.

“I think that’s very important to Kane – getting runway to prove he can be a factor in the playoffs,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports. “Remember, he missed the last five games of the Stanley Cup Final.”

The timing couldn’t be more complicated for the Oilers.

When Kane gets medical clearance, he’ll come off Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), and that’s where the real headache begins. His $5.125 million salary will eat up pretty much all of Edmonton’s remaining cap space.

Recent reports show Kane’s already skating and was hitting about 60% of his normal pace a few weeks ago. There’s a good chance he could be ready to play in the final two weeks of regular season.

That’s a problem if the Oilers want to make any moves before the trade deadline.

To add a defenseman or goalie, they’ll need to free up some cash. And Kane might be the odd man out.

When he’s healthy, Kane’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s known for leading the team in hits and can easily pot 20 goals a season. But there’s no getting around the risk factor – he’s coming back from a full year of injuries right before the playoffs.

The clock is ticking for Edmonton’s front office. They’ll need to decide: stick with Kane and hope he returns to form, or trade him to create space for other moves that could help their playoff push.