Edmonton Oilers coach gives update on Evander Kane's health ahead of trade deadline
The NHL trade deadline is less than a week away, but the Edmonton Oilers are still looking for clarity on Evander Kane.
Kane submitted a 16-team trade list to the Oilers this past week and reports have surfaced that GM Stan Bowman has been exploring the trade market for him. A decision will have to be made soon, as it could significantly alter the team’s cap space situation heading into Friday’s deadline.
If he doesn’t get traded, the question will shift to when he will be ready to play. If he is out until the playoffs, the Oilers have much more cap space to work with.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch was asked about Kane’s status this morning and made it sound like a return to action is not in the cards as of yet.
“I know it’s not immediately,” Knoblauch said. “When it gets close, I get that information to say when to start working him in… right now, I haven’t gotten to that point.
“Right now, I know the players that I have, and I am coaching those players, and right now, Evander is not part of that.”
Coach Knoblauch spoke with the media following today's practice about the #Oilers road trip, McDavid's game, the lineup for tomorrow vs. the Ducks & Kane's recovery progression.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/IWU60ArWUp
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 3, 2025
Kane has undergone multiple surgeries this year to correct several different injuries that he sustained last season. While he has not played a single game this season and has not even been a regular participant in practice, he has recently gotten back on the ice.
Knoblauch was quick to say that he does not have a timeline for Kane’s eventual return but that he still has some steps to go in the recovery process.
“He’s touched the ice, he’s been on the ice,” Knoblauch confirmed. “Now the next progression is increasing the intensity of the skates and then the practices.
“Right now, I really don’t have a timeline.”
Even if Kane is ready to get back into NHL action in time for the playoffs, there will be plenty of question marks on how long it will take him to get back up to speed. We’re talking about a 33-year-old player whose last game came just under a year ago.
Knoblauch acknowledged that would be a concern, especially in games as important as the playoffs.
“To go through the surgeries that he had and then come back, it’ll take a while,” Knoblauch said. “I think there are so many hypothetical situations.”
No matter when Kane is eventually healthy, this week will shed a lot of light on the situation, just based on the moves that the Oilers make before the deadline.