Oilers forward Evander Kane has missed the entire season so far with injury, and now NHL insider Frank Seravalli is reporting that he may return around the Trade Deadline.

Evander Kane is currently recovering from an extensive corrective surgery this offseason, with earlier reports that he could return in early 2025.

Frank Seravalli’s report of a return around the trade deadline would be later than originally hoped, and it may cause the Oilers to move a forward to create space in the lineup.

The Oilers will soon also get Viktor Arvidsson back from injury too, and the return of both top six forwards will inevitably force two players out of the lineup.

Return of Evander Kane Could Force Edmonton Oilers Into Forward Trade

Currently the Oilers are on a roll with their makeshift lineup, especially their second line of which Vasili Podkolzin has become a mainstay.

The bottom six wingers are all filled with veteran forwards too, so two roster cuts would be incredibly difficult decisions.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer has hinted earlier that a forward trade could be possible when Kane returns, simply because the Oilers have so much talent on the wings. Stauffer initially suggested Mattias Janmark and Jeff Skinner as possibilities to be traded.

Other sources have raised the fact that Evander Kane’s no trade clause expires before this year’s trade deadline, and he himself could be the player that’s moved out when he returns from injury. It may make more sense to trade Kane for assets than to misuse him on the fourth line again.

Evander Kane played through the majority of last season with several major injuries, and still scored 24 goals and led the Oilers in hits. He has his critics, but Kane is a very effective player at his best.

The Oilers will face some very difficult decisions when Kane returns, and the roster is finalized for this year’s playoff run. Hopefully, management makes all the correct calls.