A major update on Evander Kane's season from NHL insider Kevin Weekes

According to a report from NHL insider Kevin Weekes, injured Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane is expected to re-join the team in early 2025.

From Weekes:

Kane underwent abdominal surgery this past offseason to repair two hernias and abdominal tears. He missed five of the Oilers seven Stanley Cup Final games last Spring and the entirety of the team's 2024-25 training camp.

Despite Weekes reporting that Kane will be back in early 2025, presumably January, it's fair to say that hockey fans are skeptical. There's a belief out there that the Oilers will use Kane's long-term injury reserve designation to accrue cap space for themselves all season long. They can then go out and use that space to acquire players ahead of the trade deadline then plunk Kane back into the lineup for the Stanley Cup Playoffs when the salary cap doesn't exist.

Still... when Weekes reports something, it's usually because he has some inside information. So, could we be seeing Kane return to the lineup sooner than expected?