Oilers Forward Out Long-Term After Surgery

The Edmonton Oilers will be without a key forward for multiple months after a recent surgery.

May 25, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers will be without a key forward for the majority of the 2024-25 season as Evander Kane undergoes surgery to repair numerous injuries. Kane had a successful operation in New York City saying on Instagram that he has a long road of recovery ahead.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, there isn’t an exact timeline set for Kane, but he may be able to return in January or February.

Evander Kane had his surgery Friday in NYC. No exact timeline for recovery, but not expected to be available until January/February.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 22, 2024

The Oilers can expect to be without Kane for at least four to five months, leaving some hope he will not miss the entire 2024-25 season. Kane remains optimistic that he will still help the Oilers as the push for the playoffs picks up by the time he may be ready to return.

Kane had surgery to repair both abductors, a pair of hernias, and two abdominal tears. These injuries surfaced during the Oilers’ playoff run, forcing Kane to miss five of the seven games Stanley Cup Final games against the Florida Panthers.

This timeline for recovery will halt the start of Kane’s 16th season in the NHL. He’s played 930 games between the Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, and Atlanta Thrashers.

Kane was a first-round draft pick (4th overall) of the Thrashers in 2009, and has gone on to score 326 goals and 291 assists for 617 total points in his career.

At 32 years old, Kane played 77 games of the 2023-24 regular season with the Oilers and put up 24 goals and 20 assists for 44 total points. Before being taken out of the lineup in the postseason, he scored eight points (4G-4A) in 20 games.

Oilers’ general manager Stan Bowman previously stated they would not put Kane on long-term injured reserve to start the year. With a soft timeline set, it seems likely Kane will be moved to LTIR to start the 2024-25 season.

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