The NHL's investigation into the Edmonton Oilers' use of Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) for Evander Kane has taken a surprising turn. Initially, the league seemed intent on scrutinizing whether Kane's rehabilitation timeline was manipulated to provide the Oilers with cap relief. However, recent statements from Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly suggest a more passive approach.

Back on June 18, 2025, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that the league was examining the Oilers' activation of Kane from LTIR during the playoffs, questioning whether the team properly followed the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Kane had been on LTIR for the entire 2024-2025 regular season after undergoing multiple surgeries. The core of the issue was whether the Oilers had circumvented LTIR rules, especially considering Kane's return for Game 2 of the first round against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Oilers have reportedly cooperated fully with the NHL, providing all requested information and medical opinions. Despite this cooperation, the league's next steps remained unclear. Daly's recent comments have only added to the confusion. "I've held that as pending," Daly stated, "I haven't made any decisions yet with respect to how long I'm going to hold it pending." This vague stance has led to speculation about the league's intentions, with some suggesting the NHL might be hesitant to take action.

One point of contention is that the Oilers aren't the only team to have used the LTIR "loophole". Several teams have been accused of using the LTIR to exceed the salary cap, especially with players returning just in time for the playoffs. The Vegas Golden Knights and Tampa Bay Lightning are examples of teams that have been accused of similar tactics with Mark Stone and Nikita Kucherov. The lack of action against these teams has raised questions about why the Oilers are being singled out.

Adding another layer of complexity, Kane was recently traded to the Vancouver Canucks. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski confirmed that this trade would not affect the league's investigation. This means the NHL could still penalize the Oilers even though Kane is no longer on their team.

The situation leaves the Oilers in limbo. While the NHL hasn't requested further information, the threat of potential retroactive punishment looms. Any penalties could have significant implications for the team's salary cap situation, especially with upcoming contract extensions for key players like Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard.

Some observers suggest the league's ambiguous stance could be a way to exert influence over the Oilers. David Staples of the Edmonton Journal even speculated that it could be a quid pro quo, suggesting the NHL might "bury this thing" if the Oilers "shut up about the crooked reffing in the Final."

It remains to be seen whether the NHL will ultimately take action against the Oilers. The investigation has already cast a shadow over the team's offseason, creating uncertainty about their cap situation and future roster moves.