Oilers trade Evander Kane to hometown Canucks

Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at 5:02 pm

Oilers Trade Evander Kane to Canucks, Clearing Cap Space

The Edmonton Oilers have traded winger Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks, a move designed to free up cap space ahead of the upcoming NHL free agency period. The Canucks will assume Kane's full salary for the remaining year of his contract, which carries a cap hit of $5.125 million. In return, the Oilers received Ottawa's fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, a pick originally acquired by the Canucks in a previous trade.

Kane, a Vancouver native, expressed excitement about joining his hometown team. He has one year remaining on his contract. He missed the entire 2024-25 regular season due to multiple surgeries but returned for the Stanley Cup playoffs, where he recorded 6 goals and 6 assists in 21 games. Known for his physicality, Kane led the Oilers in penalty minutes during the playoffs.

The Oilers' decision to trade Kane is partly driven by the need to manage their salary cap. The team faces significant financial commitments next season with new contracts for center Leon Draisaitl and defenseman Evan Bouchard. Draisaitl's cap hit will increase substantially, and Bouchard is also expected to receive a raise.

The NHL is currently investigating the Oilers' use of long-term injured reserve regarding Kane's situation. The trade is not expected to affect the ongoing investigation.

Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin highlighted Kane's physical presence as a key asset, stating that he will add "much-needed size and toughness" to the team. Kane has played 930 NHL games across multiple teams, accumulating 326 goals and 291 assists.

BNN's Perspective:

This trade appears to be a strategic move by the Oilers to address their cap situation while potentially adding a physical presence to the Canucks. While the investigation into the Oilers' use of injured reserve adds a layer of complexity, the trade itself seems like a straightforward business decision. The Canucks gain a veteran player with a proven track record, and the Oilers gain much-needed financial flexibility.

Keywords: Evander Kane, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, NHL trade, salary cap, free agency, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, Patrik Allvin, hockey, NHL, trade, injury, investigation

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