The Dallas Stars have been hunting for a gritty, high-motor winger to round out their forward group ahead of what they hope is a deep playoff run. Initially, they had their sights set on Kiefer Sherwood-a player who’s carved out a late-career surge with a physical edge and some offensive punch. But that pursuit hit a wall when Sherwood was dealt to the San Jose Sharks for a pair of second-round picks, a price Dallas wasn’t willing-or able-to match.
Now, with Sherwood off the board, the Stars may be turning their attention to a name that’s both familiar and intriguing: Evander Kane.
At 34, Kane is no longer the explosive young power forward he once was, but he still brings a blend of size, snarl, and scoring that teams covet come playoff time. He’s hovered in the 40-to-50 point range for much of his career, and while he’s trending just under that pace this season, a move to Dallas could be the spark he needs to find another gear. Surrounded by the Stars’ deep and balanced forward corps, it’s not hard to imagine Kane rediscovering the offensive touch that made him a consistent threat in his prime.
Kane’s ties to Vancouver, his hometown, have made his stint with the Canucks a meaningful one-but the pull of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender can be strong, especially for a veteran who’s come close before. He had a deep run with the Edmonton Oilers, only to fall short against the Florida Panthers. A move to Dallas would give him another shot at the ultimate prize, this time with a team that’s built to win now.
Of course, the Stars aren’t the only team eyeing Kane. According to NHL insider Kevin Weekes, the Colorado Avalanche are also in the mix. Both teams are jockeying for position in the Central Division and looking to add a physical edge to their lineup ahead of the postseason grind.
Cap space, as always, looms large. Both Dallas and Colorado are tight against the ceiling, which means Vancouver would likely need to retain some salary to make a deal work. They still have two retention slots available, so the mechanics are possible-but not without some maneuvering.
The price tag for Kane hasn’t been revealed yet, but the risk-reward equation is clear. When healthy, he’s a valuable middle-six winger who brings playoff-style hockey every night-tough on the forecheck, willing to go to the dirty areas, and capable of chipping in timely goals.
But health is the operative word here. Since the 2017-18 season, Kane has missed 254 games out of a possible 738.
That’s a significant chunk of time, and any team trading for him will have to weigh that injury history against the potential upside.
For Dallas, the decision will fall to GM Jim Nill, who’s no stranger to making bold moves when the moment calls for it. The Stars are firmly in win-now mode, and adding a player like Kane-if the price is right-could be the kind of swing that helps push them over the top.
But it’s a balancing act. Give up too much, and you risk mortgaging future flexibility for a player who might not stay on the ice.
Play it too safe, and you might miss your window.
One thing’s certain: with the trade deadline approaching and the Western Conference playoff race tightening, Dallas is still in the market-and Evander Kane is a name worth watching.