Did the Vancouver Canucks actually try to trade Evander Kane back to Oilers?
Trading veteran winger Evander Kane might be an uphill battle for the Canucks.
Because of that, it would make sense for the Canucks to call as many teams as possible to gauge their interest.
But did they actually call the Edmonton Oilers to see if they want him back?
CHEK’s Rick Dhaliwal hopped on Sportsnet 650’s Halford and Brough on Friday morning, where he talked about the Canucks’ mission to trade Kane.
āOne team told me, have fun moving him,” Dhaliwal said. “A couple of people told me the Canucks tried to peddle him back to Edmonton.”
Dhaliwal did stress that he hadn’t confirmed if that’s 100 per cent accurate. However, he did touch base with an Oilers source to see if a reunion between Kane and the Oilers could actually transpire.
āMy Edmonton source told me that ship has sailed for the Oilers,” he said.
Kane spent three seasons in Edmonton, where he twice played a supporting role as the Oilers made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Vancouver native scored six goals in 21 postseason games with the Oilers during last spring’s Cup run. He only has six goals total in 42 regular-season games this season with the Canucks.
Although Kane has picked up his play somewhat after a horrid start, the veteran winger hasn’t come close to looking like a difference-maker. Kane is on pace for just 12 goals and 39 points, while making $5.125 million on an expiring contract.
Although they only gave up a fourth-round pick to get him, they clearly would have been better off just re-signing Pius Suter in free agency.
Kane’s surface analytics, like his shot attempt differential, have been fine. However, that’s buoyed by the fact that he’s one of the league leaders at taking shots from low-danger scoring areas.
As Dhaliwal mentioned, it’s been more than a month since the Canucks sent out a league-wide memo letting teams know that they’re willing to deal some of their veteran players, like Kane.
At this point, the Canucks may be lucky to recoup the fourth-round pick that they paid to get him.