Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now provided an update about the timeline for Evander Kane’s return to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week. According to Stauffer, the Oilers are looking at a return to the lineup for Kane in March “at the absolute earliest.”

The big winger underwent surgery in September to repair both hip abductors, two torn lower abdominal muscles, and two hernias and was placed on the Long-Term Injured Reserve when the regular season started in October. Kane said during training camp that he doesn’t expect to miss the entire 2024-25 campaign but wouldn’t put a specific timeline on his recovery.

After having his 2022-23 season limited to 41 games because of a gruesome wrist cut, Kane battled through multiple injuries in 2023-24. He scored 24 goals and 44 points over 77 games in the regular season and then added four goals and eight points in 20 playoff games. Kane played in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final in June and was sidelined for Games 3 to 7.

According to Jason Gregor, Kane added how helpful it was for him to speak with multiple doctors to see if they would have different opinions. He added that he also spoke to some fellow NHLers about their experiences with surgery and specifically mentioned Sean Monahan as someone who was a very helpful resource for him.

The Oilers signed Kane to a one-year contract in January of 2021-22 and he scored 22 goals and 39 points with the team over the final 45 games of the regular season before adding 13 goals and 17 points in 15 playoff games. Kane agreed to a four-year contract in the off-season worth $5.125 million annually and he’s scored 40 goals and 72 points over 118 games with the Oilers since.