The “truth” concerning the Edmonton Oilers’ trade deadline strategy involving injured Evander Kane’s $20,500,000 contract is debated by an NHL insider.

As the NHL trade deadline approaches, there’s a growing sense of urgency surrounding the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers, who have long been a contender in the Western Conference, have hit a critical point in their season. The pressure is mounting to make moves that not only secure their playoff spot but also set them up for a deep postseason run. One of the more intriguing storylines heading into the trade deadline is the situation with Evander Kane, who remains sidelined with a significant injury but whose contract is still weighing heavily on the Oilers’ cap space.

Evander Kane, one of the Oilers’ most skilled forwards, signed a lucrative $20.5 million contract in 2022, providing the team with a physical, high-scoring player to complement their star power. However, with Kane out due to injury, his contract has created both challenges and opportunities for Edmonton’s management, especially as they look to make adjustments heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

An NHL insider recently opened up about the situation, providing a candid breakdown of the implications of Kane’s contract and how it affects the Oilers’ strategy at the trade deadline. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of the debate surrounding Kane’s contract and its potential impact on the Oilers’ plans as they attempt to strengthen their roster.

The Situation with Evander Kane: A Critical Asset or an Albatross?

Evander Kane was a key acquisition for the Edmonton Oilers in 2022, bringing a dynamic mix of skill, physicality, and scoring ability to their forward ranks. When healthy, he’s a game-changer—an explosive winger capable of putting up big numbers alongside the Oilers’ superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His 2022 season demonstrated his value to the team, especially in the postseason, where his physical presence and offensive contributions played a significant role in the Oilers’ run to the Western Conference Final.

However, the 2023-2024 season has been a different story. Kane suffered a devastating injury that has kept him out of the lineup for an extended period. His absence has raised significant questions about the Oilers’ roster, and most importantly, how they manage his $20.5 million contract during a critical time.

At the heart of the issue is the Oilers’ salary cap situation. While the team has superstar players like McDavid, Draisaitl, and others under long-term contracts, Kane’s deal, which pays him an average annual value (AAV) of $5.25 million, has a substantial effect on the team’s cap flexibility. Kane’s absence has left the Oilers without a key contributor while still being forced to carry his cap hit. This creates challenges for general manager Ken Holland, as he attempts to add more depth to the roster—particularly in the areas of defense and goaltending—without exceeding the salary cap.

This leads us to the central question: Can the Oilers utilize Kane’s contract situation to their advantage, or is it more of a hindrance as they approach the trade deadline?

The Opportunity: Placing Kane on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR)

One potential strategy for the Oilers to work around Kane’s $20.5 million contract is by placing him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). LTIR allows teams to exceed the salary cap by the amount of their injured player’s cap hit, meaning that Kane’s $5.25 million cap hit could be removed from the team’s cap calculation for the remainder of the regular season.

While this would immediately provide the Oilers with more cap space, the decision is not without its complications. First, placing Kane on LTIR comes with a certain degree of uncertainty, especially as the team continues to navigate his recovery process. Kane’s return timeline is still up in the air, and without a clear picture of when he’ll be able to play again, the Oilers may be reluctant to rely on the LTIR strategy.

In the interim, though, LTIR could be a vital tool for the Oilers in terms of trade flexibility. With the cap relief, the Oilers could target players who would otherwise be too expensive or difficult to fit under the cap, especially in areas like defense or goaltending. As the Oilers search for ways to improve their depth ahead of the postseason, using LTIR to free up space gives them the ability to make moves without worrying about the cap.

NHL insider discussions have noted that this option could be crucial for the Oilers. In fact, one insider recently pointed out that it could be the difference between making a playoff push with a fully upgraded roster or struggling to remain competitive with a roster hampered by cap limitations.

The Risk: Kane’s Future and the Potential for a Trade

While LTIR presents a short-term solution for the Oilers, there’s also the long-term picture to consider. Evander Kane’s future in Edmonton is very much up in the air. Even if the Oilers do successfully navigate the trade deadline and bring in new talent using the LTIR loophole, Kane’s eventual return could create a significant logjam.

The Oilers could potentially face a situation where they have to make difficult roster decisions when Kane returns, especially if they’ve added new pieces to the lineup during the deadline. A situation like this could lead to a trade of Kane down the road if the Oilers decide they need more roster flexibility or if they find it difficult to fit his contract back under the cap.

This scenario opens the door for discussions about trading Kane himself. If the Oilers determine that his future with the team is uncertain, they could look to move him either before the trade deadline or in the off-season. However, trading a player with Kane’s substantial contract and injury history is far from simple. His $20.5 million deal could be difficult to move, especially given his injury status.

Several teams may be interested in Kane’s services, but only if they can get him at a reasonable price, likely in the form of an asset or a salary retention deal that benefits both teams. Moving Kane would be a risk, but it could also allow the Oilers to clear cap space for future flexibility.

What Do the Experts Say About Kane’s Role in Trade Deadline Strategy?

NHL insiders have weighed in on the situation with Kane, providing a range of opinions on how his contract could impact the Oilers’ trade deadline strategy.

One of the most prominent voices, a former GM turned analyst, noted that the Oilers would need to approach the deadline with caution. The insider stressed that while LTIR is an option to create immediate cap space, it should not be relied upon as a permanent solution. “You can’t build a roster on the hope that a guy is going to come back from injury and be healthy,” the insider stated. “The Oilers need to plan as if Kane may never return to his previous form. His injury should not define how they approach the trade deadline.”

Another insider added that the uncertainty surrounding Kane’s return may be the reason the Oilers have refrained from making any bold moves ahead of the deadline. The Oilers may be waiting for more concrete information on Kane’s recovery timeline before committing to any substantial changes.

Despite the uncertainty, there’s no question that Kane’s $20.5 million contract gives the Oilers options. They could use the cap relief from LTIR to bolster their defense or potentially address their goaltending woes. At the same time, if Kane returns and proves to be effective, the Oilers will have one of the most dangerous forward groups in the league.

The Final Verdict: Kane’s Impact on Edmonton’s Trade Deadline Moves

Ultimately, Evander Kane’s contract remains a double-edged sword for the Oilers. While his cap hit creates challenges in terms of roster construction, the possibility of placing him on LTIR provides some flexibility, allowing the team to target valuable assets at the trade deadline. However, the unknowns surrounding Kane’s injury status, combined with his substantial contract, mean that the Oilers will have to be cautious in their approach.

Edmonton’s trade deadline strategy will likely hinge on a few key factors, including Kane’s recovery timeline and the team’s ability to balance immediate roster needs with long-term cap management. The Oilers are still a very strong team, especially with McDavid and Draisaitl leading the charge, but they face significant pressure to improve their defense and overall roster depth if they’re to make a serious run at the Stanley Cup.

Whether the Oilers decide to use LTIR to add pieces in the short term or opt to trade Kane in the future, one thing is clear: the next few weeks will be crucial for the team’s long-term success. As the trade deadline draws nearer, Edmonton will need to make critical decisions that could shape the outcome of their season—and possibly even their future with Evander Kane.