The Edmonton Oilers were exploring options to move power forward Evander Kane this season, but according to new reports, the team may consider buying him out this offseason.
Earlier this week, Elliotte Friedman reported that there was at least one team interested in a trade to acquire Evander Kane, but it's possible the Oilers would've had to add a sweetener to complete the deal.
Edmonton Oilers may explore buyout for Evander Kane this offseason
The Oilers will be looking for ways to clear salary cap space this offseason, and according to new reports from analyst Jim Matheson, one avenue may be buying out Evander Kane.
In the summer the Oilers could buy out Evander Kane ($5.125 million AAV, and they probably won't have Jeff Skinner back, so there's room to wheel and deal, but we'll see where they go with this.- Jim Matheson
For the Oilers to even consider buying out one year of Evander Kane's contract, it would need to be a significant sweetener they need to give up to move his contract.
The best position the Oilers can take for now is to wait and see what Evander Kane looks like upon his return to play in the playoffs this season. His timeline is still unsure, but a return in the playoffs looks probable.
Oilers should not buy out Evander Kane
At 33 years old, Kane will be up for a major test to return to the Oilers lineup and be a quality player after missing the whole year. However, he played through injury most of last season, and still led the team in hits while scoring 24 goals.
Buying out Evander Kane should only be a last-ditch option to create cap space if he looks absolutely brutal in the playoffs this year. If he performs well, and it's very possible that he could, there could be a new trade market for Kane within his 16 team no-trade list.
Oilers fans will be thrilled to get Kane back in the playoffs, making the entire forward lineup stronger and adding another element of physicality and scoring. If he can find the level of play he's brought in the past, Kane will be a fantastic addition to the Oilers in the playoffs.
