The Edmonton Oilers have clarified Evander Kane’s status on Friday, following the passing of the trade deadline. The team confirmed that the injured forward will not return for the remainder of the 2024–25 regular season and will remain on long-term injured reserve until the playoffs begin.
Kane, who has been recovering from abdominal surgery, will continue his rehabilitation in Edmonton. “After further discussions with the team’s medical staff, it has been concluded that Evander Kane will not be ready to play for the rest of the 2024-25 regular season,” the Oilers stated. “As a result, he will stay on LTIR.” Kane had successful abdominal surgery last September and has been undergoing rehab in Edmonton with the team’s medical team overseeing his progress.
Initially, he had sports hernia surgery in September after trying to play through the injury during the previous season’s playoffs. His recovery was further delayed by an unforeseen knee surgery in January. Insider Jason Gregor reported that Kane had just started skating again in limited capacity before the announcement.
“Evander Kane has begun skating,” Gregor reported on February 22. “He has skated for the past two days at about 60% pace, as he will need some time to regain full speed.” Kane, 33, is in the third year of a four-year, $20.5 million contract. His last appearance was during the 2023–24 postseason, where he played in 20 playoff games during Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final, scoring eight goals.
