The Evander Kane trade from Edmonton to Vancouver last summer sparked plenty of debate at the time - and seven months later, it’s looking more and more like the Oilers made a savvy move.
Let’s rewind. Kane had just wrapped up a respectable postseason, but there were signs his best days were behind him. He was carrying a $5.125 million cap hit through this season, and with Oilers GM Stan Bowman focused on creating financial flexibility, the team made the call to send Kane - and his full contract - to the Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
At the time, the deal split opinion. Some saw it as Edmonton giving up a valuable contributor for next to nothing.
Others viewed it as a necessary step to clear a contract that was starting to feel like a weight around the team’s neck. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it looks like the Oilers got exactly what they needed - and then some.
Kane’s stint in Vancouver hasn’t gone as planned. Through 51 games, he’s managed just nine goals and 24 points.
For a player expected to slot in as a reliable top-nine forward, that’s well below expectations. And now, the Canucks are reportedly trying to find a way out.
According to CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been given permission to help facilitate a trade - a clear sign that both sides are ready to move on. But with Kane’s cap hit, injury history, and declining production, moving that contract won’t be easy.
For Edmonton, this is where things really start to look like a win. Not only did they unload the full weight of Kane’s contract, but they also picked up a draft asset in the process - a fourth-rounder, yes, but still something. In a league where every dollar counts, especially for a team with championship aspirations, that kind of cap relief can be a game-changer.
The Canucks, meanwhile, took a gamble. They brought in a veteran scorer hoping he could provide a spark.
Instead, they’ve ended up with a struggling player on a pricey deal, and a front office now scrambling to find a landing spot for him. There were even rumblings earlier this season that Vancouver tried to send Kane back to Edmonton - a move the Oilers reportedly declined.
As for Kane, his time in Edmonton wasn’t without its moments. He had stretches where he looked like a difference-maker, and there’s no doubt some fans will remember his contributions fondly.
But the writing was on the wall. With his play trending downward and the team needing cap flexibility, the split made sense for both sides.
In the end, it’s a rare case of a team recognizing the right time to move on - and doing so decisively. The Oilers didn’t just trim salary; they set themselves up for future moves while avoiding a lingering contract issue. And while the Canucks are left holding the bag, Edmonton is moving forward with a cleaner cap sheet and a clearer path ahead.
So while the rivalry between these two fanbases runs deep, Oilers fans might want to send a quiet thank you to Vancouver’s front office. They helped Edmonton out of a tough spot - and seven months later, that decision is paying off in a big way.