Oilers forward Evander Kane to miss rest of regular season

Reinforcements won’t be on the way for the Edmonton Oilers as they keep up their playoff push to close the season.

Forward Evander Kane is set to miss the rest of the regular season as the team’s medical staff determined he will not be ready to return to action, the Oilers announced Friday.

The 33-year-old is currently on long-term injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery in January. He has yet to suit up for the Oilers this season after undergoing abdominal surgery in the fall and missing the first chunk of the year.

Kane told reporters in January that his knee issue “popped up” a few weeks after his abdominal surgery, and it required something to be surgically removed. He added that there were no structural issues or repairs needed.

According to the team’s press release, his rehabilitation on the abdominal surgery continues to take place under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported last Saturday that the Oilers were gauging Kane’s market to see if they could part ways with his $5.125 million cap hit. The forward is on the books through next season after penning a four-year, $20.5 million contract ahead of the 2022-23 season. 

However, the team was unable to move him ahead of Friday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline.

He has spent the last three seasons with the Oilers, tallying 62 goals and 49 assists for 111 points over 161 regular-season games. He has added 20 goals and 10 assists over 47 playoff outings.