Report: Evander Kane won't join Oilers for start of season

UPDATE: This article is an updated account of Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane's apparent hernia injury.

According to a report from Oilers insider Bob Stauffer, Kane's sports hernia injury may be so serious that he'll require surgery to repair the damage. If that's the case, he'll miss the start of the 2024-25 season and will be placed on long-term injury reserve (LTIR)

From Stauffer:

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we never see Kane in an Oilers uniform again. It's clear that there's more beneath the surface here. Historically teams have used LTIR as a way to sweep their salary cap problems under the rug and I wouldn't be surprised if the Oilers are sneakily doing exactly that with Kane.

Read below for our earlier report on Kane's status, published last week.

It remains to be seen what the future holds with Evander Kane and the Edmonton Oilers, but it's safe to say that the honeymoon is over between the two sides.

Frankly, this sounds a lot like what happened between the San Jose Sharks and Kane. And the Buffalo Sabres... and the Winnipeg Jets...

It's almost as if Kane runs himself out of town wherever he goes.

Earlier this offseason Oilers President Jeff Jackson mentioned that Kane had an 'ongoing issue with his hip', while Kane himself denied that saying that he has a sports hernia injury.

Oilers insider Jim Parsons pointed out this apparent disagreement recently saying:

“What makes him such a wild card is that it’s hard to read from day to day and interview to interview where Kane stands health wise. CEO Jeff Jackson mentioned an “issue with his hip,” and the nature of his injury and recovery path remains unclear. Meanwhile, Kane called it a “sports hernia” that was bugging him most of last season. Is it a hip? Is it a hernia? Is it a bit of both? Do either keep him out to the point he’s unreliable?”

- Jim Parsons

It's not clear exactly what the issue is with the Oilers and how things will play out, but it's clear that these parties aren't on the same side.