The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are close to finalizing a trade that would see winger Evander Kane return to his hometown of Vancouver. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Kane himself has confirmed the potential move via his social media account. In return, the Canucks are expected to send a fourth-round pick to the Oilers, specifically the Senators’ 2025 fourth round pick, assessed at No. 117 overall, according to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.
Kane has long been mentioned as a candidate for a trade, especially after the Oilers’ disappointing run in the Stanley Cup Final. With the need for salary cap flexibility, the Oilers are looking to clear space to negotiate a new deal for restricted free agent defenseman Evan Bouchard while also looking to bolster their roster depth with potential scoring and goaltending upgrades.
The 33-year-old Kane is currently in the final season of a four-year contract worth $20.5 million, and it carries a cap hit of $5.125 million. Notably, Edmonton will not retain any of his salary with this move. Kane’s 16-team trade list, which could complicate trades in other situations, does not seem to be an obstacle in this case, as Vancouver was his preferred destination.
Kane’s trade comes amid concerns regarding his long-term injury and recovery, and the league is examining how the Oilers handled his surgeries that sidelined him for the entire 2024-25 regular season. After undergoing surgery for a congenital knee issue and facing multiple setbacks, he returned to the lineup during the playoffs. Despite concerns about his defensive plays—evidenced by his lower possession stats—Kane remained an impactful scorer during his postseason appearance, posting impressive offensive numbers (6 goals, 6 assists, for 12 points in 21 games).
Vancouver, facing a need for scoring depth after averaging just 2.84 goals per game last season, views this trade as a strategic move. Kane’s career average of approximately 29 goals and 54 points across 82 games is precisely the infusion of scoring the Canucks require. He is expected to slot into a top-six role in Vancouver, potentially alongside Elias Pettersson, particularly as the Canucks anticipate losing Brock Boeser to free agency.
While the Canucks currently have a little over $7 million in cap space and just one roster spot to fill, they can leverage this trade to strengthen their scoring unit without long-term financial risk. With the expected influx of talent, this deal signifies a hopeful adjustment for Vancouver as they strive to enhance their competitive edge in the upcoming season.
Overall, this trade could mark a pivotal moment for both players and organizations. Vancouver’s acquisition of Kane may offer a much-needed offensive boost, providing optimism for fans looking forward to a stronger season. The combination of skill and experience that Kane brings can help the Canucks as they look to improve their standings within the league.