Trade interest around Evander Kane is growing as the March deadline approaches, despite him playing his first season with his hometown team Vancouver Canucks. Several teams are checking his availability, including clubs from the Eastern Conference. Despite a down season, one NHL analyst believes Kane still holds value on the market.
Speaking on the Sekeres and Price podcast, Cam Robinson shared his view on Kane’s situation. Robinson said teams are drawn to Kane’s playoff style.
“I heard LA was kicking, maybe kicking the tires on as well, and maybe a couple teams out in the east, potentially,” Robinson said. “Here’s the thing about Evander Kane, and I’m not shocked that there’s a number of teams that are interested in him.
“He plays kind of that heavier playoff style that you’re looking for when you’re bringing in a winner, either you’re bringing in a winger that’s going to be like a one shot goal tending or a goal scoring option for you, or you want him to be heavy. And so Kane has that heaviness to him,”
Still, Robinson was clear about the concerns around Kane, as he has lost a step this season. His 9 goals and 24 points so far make up for a pace – the lowest of his career since his rookie year. Robinson also pointed to weak five-on-five defense at times and longstanding questions about locker room fit as the main issues.
Robinson compared Kane’s value to recent deadline deals and mentioned that similar players have fetched second or third-round picks. He said Vancouver hopes to improve on the fourth-rounder they paid. A third-round pick, or a third and fifth, would be a win.
“I think people are going to be hoping that it’s a second-round pick or a quality prospect and a mid pick, but it wouldn’t shock me if it ends up being similar to what they paid to get him in the summer, which is a fourth,” Robinson said. “If you can do better than that… I think you’re happy.
However, a second-round pick remains possible if bidding increases.
“But you never know,” Robinson said. “It just takes one GM to be like, ‘Ooh, there are four or five teams knocking on the door here, and he’s the guy we want. Well, all right, we’ll give you a second.’ So that’s surely what Vancouver is hoping for.”
Vancouver’s season has shifted toward long-term planning and returning asset matters. The Canucks sit last in the Pacific with a 17-31-5 record. With playoffs out of reach and interest in the power forward rising, Kane can be moved before the deadline.
Kane’s Rough Path Since the 2024-25 NHL Season
The Canucks acquired Kane from the Edmonton Oilers on June 25 last year. They also took on Kane’s full $5.125 million cap hit, and the move brought Kane back to his hometown.
Kane arrived in Vancouver after missing the entire 2024-25 regular season due to hip and knee surgeries. He had returned only for Edmonton’s playoff run, in which the Oilers once again lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Florida Panthers.
So far this season, his performance has been average through 52 games. Additonally, his minus-18 rating reflects team-wide defensive issues. But despite those numbers, Kane still shows energy on the forecheck. He also continues to create shots and physical pressure.
At 34, his consistency has been harder to maintain, but contenders value his experience and edge.
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