NO WAY: Can Edmonton Oilers make it through?

After making trades for Adam Henrique, Viktor Arvidsson, and Jeff Skinner, the Edmonton Oilers are $2.5 million over the cap. They also have to re-sign Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, two restricted free agents, which will complicate things even further. This has sparked trade rumors that could result in someone being cut from the team, but the Oilers must first find out what’s happening with Evander Kane.

Acting general manager Jeff Jackson’s recent comments on Kane’s health have sparked speculation about the team’s strategy when it comes to the offseason and potentially the start of the 2024-25 campaign. Kane is currently managing a hip injury and a sports hernia that was clearly an issue for him in this season’s playoffs. He missed the last few games of the Stanley Cup Final, which has prompted speculation of off-season surgery. The Oilers to evaluate his condition thoroughly.

“He was dealing with an issue with his hip. We are going through the process to see what we need to do on that front, so he’s getting the best care he can get and advice from our doctors. We’re going to talk to his agent, consult with both Evander and his agent Dan Milstein, to make sure we’re getting second opinions and things like that. That’s sort of where it’s at, and nothing is planned, as of yet beyond that.”

Could Kane Hit LTIR Negating the Need for a Trade?

There’s growing speculation that Kane might begin the season on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), a move that would free up $5.25 million in cap space. This option would provide significant financial relief for the Oilers. It might not lead to more roster additions, but it could eliminate the need to make a cap-clearing trade.

If the injuries are bad enough, some have wondered if the Oilers would keep Kane out the entire season, ensuring he was ready to go for the playoffs. While placing Kane on LTIR would require careful consideration of league regulations and Kane’s contractual status, it presents an opportunity for the player to focus on his recovery while Edmonton manages its cap constraints. Historically, players recovering from similar injuries, such as Nick Ehlers and Nikita Kucherov, have returned strongly after extended absences. The Vegas Golden Knights have proven that teams can get away with “miraculously” having players healthy on the first day of the postseason.

For now, it’s not clear how bad Kane’s injuries are. Placing him on season-long LTIR might be jumping the gun a touch. It’s also not clear the Oilers even want to do that. A healthy Kane is a very effective player who adds an element to the Oilers lineup they miss when he’s not playing.

In the end, as the Oilers plan for the 2017 NHL season, they have to strike a balance between their short-term cap requirements and the long-term health of their players and league compliance.