Evander Kane on the Trade Block Again - Dallas and Colorado Emerging as Suitors
With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, the Vancouver Canucks are officially opening the door for a potential Evander Kane move. According to a report, the team has granted Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, permission to seek out a trade. While there’s no clear timeline or deal imminent just yet, this is a strong signal that Vancouver is ready to move on - and Kane could be on the move for the second time in less than a year.
Kane landed in Vancouver via a draft-day deal with the Edmonton Oilers back in 2025, but the reunion with his hometown hasn’t delivered the kind of spark either side hoped for. Despite logging a solid 16:55 of average ice time - sixth among Canucks forwards - Kane has struggled to find his footing.
Through 49 games, he’s posted nine goals, a minus-18 rating, and racked up 57 penalty minutes. Those numbers don’t exactly leap off the page, and they reflect a broader issue with Vancouver’s forward depth this season.
The Canucks are clearly in transition. After dealing franchise defenseman Quinn Hughes earlier in the year, and with rumors swirling around Elias Pettersson’s future, Kane’s departure feels like the next logical step in a roster reset. He’s a veteran presence with nearly 1,000 NHL games under his belt, and while his production has dipped, his style of play still holds value - especially for teams looking to bolster their playoff grit.
Enter the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, two Western Conference contenders with a history of squeezing value out of veteran additions. Dallas has managed to keep longtime stars Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn productive in the twilight of their careers, while Colorado has seen solid returns from players like Jonathan Drouin and Brock Nelson. Both teams have the kind of systems where Kane’s north-south, physical game could still make an impact - particularly in a middle-six role.
Even with his game slowing a bit post-30, Kane brings a unique mix of toughness and scoring touch. He’s hit the 20-goal mark in nine of the last 13 seasons, and he’s topped 80 penalty minutes in seven of those.
That blend of offense and edge isn’t easy to find, especially for teams eyeing a deep playoff run. Add in the fact that he’s a pending unrestricted free agent, and the price tag won’t be sky-high - which makes him even more appealing as a rental.
From a trade chip standpoint, Dallas might have the upper hand. The Stars hold two second-round picks and a third-rounder across the next two drafts, giving them more flexibility to make a deal. Colorado, on the other hand, has just a pair of second-round picks in 2027, which might limit their leverage.
But the Avalanche have an advantage where it really counts: the salary cap. Colorado is projected to have just over $5 million in cap space at the deadline, while Dallas sits closer to $3.2 million. That gives Colorado a little more breathing room to absorb Kane’s contract without needing to ship out a roster player - something that could ease negotiations.
Both teams are expected to be active buyers at the deadline, with strong starts to the season fueling legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations. For Kane, landing in either Dallas or Colorado would mean a shot at playoff redemption - and maybe even one last big moment in the spotlight.
He was a force in the postseason during his time in Edmonton, tallying 42 points and 164 penalty minutes over 68 playoff games. That kind of edge and experience is exactly what contenders look for in a deadline pickup.
So, while nothing’s finalized yet, the wheels are in motion. The Canucks are clearly ready to move on, and Kane - with his rugged style, playoff pedigree, and expiring deal - checks a lot of boxes for teams looking to go the distance.
Keep an eye on Dallas and Colorado in the coming days. This is the kind of move that could quietly shape the playoff picture.