With the Olympics drawing to a close, the Colorado Avalanche are still buzzing with trade rumors, and one name keeps popping up-Evander Kane. The Avalanche are reportedly eyeing Kane from the Vancouver Canucks as the NHL trade deadline looms.
This potential move hinges on a crucial factor: salary retention by the Canucks. Insider Rick Dhaliwal suggests that the idea of Kane donning an Avalanche jersey is gaining traction, but it all comes down to whether Vancouver is willing to keep some of Kane’s salary on their books.
Kane’s current cap hit stands at $5.125 million, but with the season more than halfway through, that number drops to around $2 million. If the Canucks agree to retain 50% of his salary, Kane would only cost the Avalanche about $1 million against their cap.
With the Avalanche projected to have roughly $1.7 million in cap space, this deal could fit snugly. However, as players are called up from the minors to fill out the roster, things could get tight financially.
The potential return of Logan O’Connor adds another layer of complexity. O’Connor, who’s been sidelined all season, might be back before the season ends.
His return would remove his cap hit from LTIR, which has provided the Avalanche with some breathing room. If O’Connor returns, that cap relief disappears, making the addition of Kane a bit trickier.
Ultimately, the Avalanche's decision at the trade deadline will hinge on the Canucks’ willingness to retain salary and the overall price of acquiring Kane. If the cost becomes prohibitive, the Avalanche might need to explore more budget-friendly options.