Evander Kane has officially transferred from the Edmonton Oilers to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft. The trade was announced through Kane’s social media account, highlighting his gratitude towards the Oilers’ organization and the city of Edmonton. Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, revealed that three teams had shown interest, but Kane was eager to join the Canucks, the team he grew up supporting.
In his heartfelt farewell message, Kane expressed his appreciation for the Oilers’ ownership, coaching staff, teammates, and the passionate fans. He spoke about the experiences he cherished, including playoff runs and the relationships he built during his time in Edmonton. As he embarks on this new chapter with the Canucks, Kane is particularly excited to play in front of his hometown fans, having previously played for the Vancouver Giants in junior hockey.
Although Kane missed the entire regular season due to abdominal and knee surgeries, he showed resilience by contributing six goals and 12 points during the playoffs. In the 2023-24 season, he recorded 24 goals and 44 points across 77 games, along with four goals and eight points in the Oilers’ playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The trade also benefits the Oilers, as they gain $5.13 million in cap space, a necessary adjustment as they prepare to re-sign restricted free agent Evan Bouchard. With several key players entering unrestricted free agency, including forwards Corey Perry and Connor Brown, the Oilers are proactively managing their roster.
For the Canucks, adding Kane bolsters their roster with size and aggression; he is known as a physical power forward who excels in puck battles and scoring. General manager Patrik Allvin praised Kane’s skill set, which aims to enhance Vancouver’s competitiveness in the coming season. Now with Kane on board, the Canucks are preparing for what looks to be an exciting season ahead, while Kane continues to chase his passion for the game in the city that nurtured his beginnings.
Overall, this trade not only reflects a new opportunity for Kane but also emphasizes the ongoing evolution of both teams as they look to enhance their chances for success in the competitive landscape of the NHL.