Evander Kane’s Impact At Full Health More Important For Oilers Than Negligible Cap Boost

What's more important for the Edmonton Oilers: a fully healthy and impactful Evander Kane for the playoffs or an extra $2 million cap space to spend at the deadline? That's what Oilers' GM Stan Bowman has to decide, and a more impactful Kane might be the right way to go.

Publicly, Evander Kane’s return timeline remains uncertain. Following a media presser on Friday, he said he was confident he'd be back with the Oilers this season but wasn't sure when. What he did say was that he got an additional surgery done because he wanted to be 100 percent. Bowman doubled down on that narrative, emphasizing the importance of not rushing Kane back. “We want him back as soon as he’s ready. He’s not going to come back at 50 percent,” Bowman stated.

There's a reason both Kane and Bowman are saying what they're saying. First, it leaves the Oilers options to keep him out longer term, potentially waiting until the playoffs to bring him back. Second, they know a fully healthy and up-to-speed Kane is a pretty useful player to have.

Can Evander Kane Be a Playoff Game-Changer?

When Kane is at his best, his impact is undeniable. He's a bit of a unicorn in that few players, if any, can do what he does — provide tough, gritty minutes, act as a deterrent and lead a team in playoff scoring.

During the 2021-22 season, he recorded 39 points in 43 games and added an impressive 17 points in 15 playoff games. His combination of physicality and ability to produce made him a critical piece of the Oilers' run. If the Oilers can get even 60 percent of that Kane this season, it's a huge add. One could argue bigger than any deadline deal the team would otherwise make.

The downside is that this might take some games in the regular season to get Kane to that level.

It's one thing to feel ready and skate on your own. It's another to take 18 months off and try to hop back into the playoffs for Game 1 and make a difference.

If Kane remains on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) until the playoffs, his $5.125-million cap hit won’t count against the team’s salary cap, allowing Edmonton to maximize their trade deadline flexibility. There are benefits to that, but they're potentially negligible.

The Oilers Might Be Better Focusing On Getting The Best Kane Back That They Can

Bowman downplayed the difference between the $3 million the Oilers have to spend with Kane still on the roster versus the $5.1 million in available space they get if he doesn't return. Bowman believes he can still add significant pieces once pro-rated salaries and retention are worked into any deadline deals.

Adding reinforcements to fill holes will be important. That said, an effective Kane might outweigh the difference between adding an $8 million defenseman and a $4 million one.

Related: Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane Underwent Knee Surgery, Delaying Rehabilitation Schedule

If Kane is ready to play, the Oilers should seriously consider playing him the minute he's ready, playoff timeline be damned. He'll need all the games he can get to be the difference-maker he has the potential to be. And his early return won't stop the Oilers from making helpful moves in March.

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