Edmonton has rejected a trade offer from Vancouver involving Evander Kane. The Canucks reportedly attempted to send Kane back to the Oilers, but Edmonton quickly dismissed the suggestion.
Kane, 34, previously played for the Oilers before being traded to Vancouver. Since joining the Canucks, his performance has declined, with only six goals and 20 points in 42 games this season. This is a noticeable drop from his time in Edmonton, where he played a supporting role during their Stanley Cup Finals run.
According to Rick Dhaliwal, a Canucks insider, Vancouver may be experiencing "buyer's remorse". Dhaliwal suggested moving Kane could be challenging, citing his contract, declining production, age, and injury history. "One team told me 'Have fun moving him,' you've got the contract, you got the production isn't great, you got the age, injuries, he didn't play in the regular season last year," Dhaliwal said.
Kane's $5.125 million cap hit and less physical play compared to his time in Edmonton further complicate the situation. In Edmonton, Kane averaged 3.16 hits per game, while in Vancouver, that number has dropped to 1.74.
The Oilers are currently looking to clear salary, with rumors circulating about a potential trade involving Andrew Mangiapane. Mangiapane, along with Trent Frederic, has reportedly not lived up to expectations in Edmonton. Some suggest the Oilers are shopping both players, although trading Frederic may be difficult due to his long-term contract. Mangiapane has a $3.6 million cap hit that expires after the 2026-27 season. Several teams have expressed interest in Mangiapane, including the Jets and Sharks. The Red Wings have also shown interest in Mangiapane and have had multiple trade calls with the Oilers. A potential trade to Detroit would provide Mangiapane with a fresh start on a contending team.
The Oilers are facing salary cap limitations and have already committed their 2026 first-round pick in a previous transaction. This limits their flexibility in making significant additions before the trade deadline. The most likely scenario involves the Oilers making modest additions to enhance depth without spending significant assets.
Meanwhile, the Canucks are expected to be active at the trade deadline, with several veteran players potentially on the move. General Manager Patrik Allvin has stated his goal is to make the roster younger. The Canucks already traded Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild for a package that included young players and a 2026 first-round pick.
