The Edmonton Oilers are actively exploring a trade involving injured forward Evander Kane ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but his desire to return before the playoffs could complicate their plans. Kane’s full no-move clause shifted to a 16-team no-trade list on March 1, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Saturday. With that, Edmonton has gained some flexibility in finding a trade partner, but Kane’s injury timeline remains a concern if they cannot trade him. Friedman reported on Monday’s episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast that while Kane has provided a list of teams he would accept a trade to, his value is affected by his intention to return during the regular season. “With Kane, I think it’s important for him to play,” Friedman said. “He wants to come back in the regular season. He wants to prove that he can be a factor on a good team. “I don’t know what the medicals say. I know there’s a disagreement.” If Kane returns before the postseason, the Oilers would lose the ability to use his $5.1 million cap hit for deadline acquisitions, which is currently placed on long-term injured reserve. David Staples of the Edmonton Journal pointed out the difficult position Edmonton is in regarding Kane’s unwillingness to wait until the playoffs to make his return.

“You would think that he and the team could work out a win-win, where he takes all the time he needs to get ready and is back early in the playoffs, but not until then so that Edmonton can use his cap slot to bolster the team,” Staples wrote. “Is that so complicated?” Friedman noted that if the Oilers do find a trade partner, they may need to provide an incentive to facilitate the deal. According to the insider, Kane, who has another year on his contract, is open to joining a contender.

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