The NHL trade winds are picking up steam, and one name that keeps swirling in the mix is Evander Kane. The veteran forward, currently with the Vancouver Canucks, is reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams - and the Los Angeles Kings might be among them.
While nothing is official, there’s growing chatter that Kings GM Ken Holland is at least exploring the possibility of bringing Kane to L.A. That connection makes sense.
Holland, now steering the ship in Southern California, was the one who originally signed Kane during his time in Edmonton. And if there’s one thing we’ve seen from Holland this season, it’s that he’s not afraid to reunite with familiar faces.
Kane, now in the final year of a four-year, $20.5 million deal, has put up 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) so far this season for Vancouver. But he’s also carrying a minus-18 rating - the third-worst on the team - trailing only Tyler Myers and Brock Boeser. That stat paints a more complicated picture of his current impact, especially on a Canucks team that’s trying to find its footing during what looks like a transitional phase.
What makes Kane’s situation even more interesting is the control he holds over his next move. With a 16-team approved trade list, he’s got a say in where he could land - and at this stage in his career, that kind of leverage matters. Kane’s a player who’s been through the battles, both on and off the ice, and any potential destination likely needs to be the right fit for both sides.
Los Angeles could be that fit. The Kings have already added a couple of Kane’s former teammates this season in Corey Perry and Warren Foegele, both of whom are contributing in meaningful ways.
Perry’s chipped in 10 goals and 13 assists, while Foegele has added six goals and two assists. These aren’t blockbuster numbers, but they’re the kind of depth contributions that matter when you’re trying to finally push past the first round - something the Kings have been chasing for a while now.
Kane, for his part, showed last spring that he can still rise to the moment. After missing the entire 2024-25 regular season due to surgeries, he returned just in time for the playoffs and delivered 12 points in 21 games during Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. That kind of postseason production doesn’t go unnoticed - especially by a front office that’s seen it up close.
So, where does this leave things? Vancouver’s in the middle of reshaping its roster, and Kane’s name keeps coming up in trade conversations. Whether it’s the Kings or another team looking to add a gritty, experienced winger with a scoring touch, the next few weeks could be pivotal.
Kane’s future may not be in Vancouver much longer. And if Los Angeles decides to pull the trigger, it wouldn’t be the first time Ken Holland bet on a familiar face to help push a team closer to contention.