After four years with the Edmonton Oilers, veteran forward Evander Kane is heading to his hometown Vancoiver Canucks.
Kane announced the trade Wednesday morning in a social media post, saying that it is "an honor to become part of an organization and team I grew up watching as a kid." Frank Seravalli confirmed that the return to the Oilers is a fourth-round pick in this year's NHL Draft, which kicks off Friday in Los Angeles.
No salary was retained in the deal, clearing $5.13 million in cap space for the Oilers, who need to re-sign restricted free agent defenseman Evan Bouchard this offseason.
As my time with the @EdmontonOilers has now come to a close, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the entire organization, my teammates, and the incredible community of Edmonton.
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) June 25, 2025
To the Oilers Ownership, front office, coaching staff, and trainers—thank you for believing in… pic.twitter.com/huOxax5FxK
Canucks land Evander Kane from Oilers in bold offseason trade move
The trade comes during the NHL's active inquiry into the Oilers’ handling of Kane's surgeries and subsequent LTIR placement that kept him out for the entire 2024-25 regular season.
Kane missed the entire 2024-25 regular season while recovering from abdominal and knee surgeries. He returned to the Oilers in time for the postseason, where he recorded six goals and 12 points in 21 playoff games before Edmonton was eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final. The 33-year-old winger had 24 goals and 44 points in 77 games in 2023-24 and added four goals and eight points in the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final last year.
While Kane's health remains a concern, there is no long-term financial risk for Vancouver with this acquisition. the Canucks desperately need scoring depth, and they will get that from Kane. His average of 29 goals and 54 points per 82 games over his 16-year career would have led the Canucks last season. Kane should slide right into a top-six role in Vancouver and could even be a top-line wing option for Elias Pettersson.
The Canucks are now down to just over $7 million in cap space but theoretically have just one roster spot to fill with Brock Boeser leaving in free agency. Their current salary cap picture gives them the flexibility to extend Pius Suter if they so choose, or perhaps to sign another middle-six center option in free agency.