logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
Sizing up the Evander Kane trade market: Canucks Conversation
alt
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Clarke Corsan
Feb 25, 2026, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 24, 2026, 21:30 EST
Comments
On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, Quads and Harm took a closer look at the Evander Kane trade market and what kind of return the Canucks can realistically expect if they decide to move him before the deadline.
Harm didn’t sugarcoat the likely outcome when it comes to compensation.
“The way I see it, I’m expecting a fourth. Best-case scenario as a Canucks fan, I’m hoping it ends up being a third-rounder, but I’m not getting my hopes up too high. It’s interesting to look at Kane’s value and some of the different factors that are going to be at play when teams look at their options for wingers to add ahead of the trade deadline. We know Kane’s had a tough year this year; he hasn’t been as consistently physical as he usually is, and the offence, relative to the opportunity he’s had where he’s been stapled to the top line for stretches, has been underwhelming. There have been moments where, sure, his underlying shot creation hasn’t been bad, but all in all, he hasn’t had the impact that he was expected to make.”
That regular season dip is working against Vancouver in negotiations. But Harm pointed to one major factor that could still generate legitimate interest.
“The saving grace for the Canucks – what will put them in a position to at least get a fourth-round pick – is how effective he played during the playoffs last year. It’s easy to forget because of how lacklustre he’s been this season, but he was genuinely moving the needle for the [Edmonton] Oilers during their run to the Cup Final last year. He had six goals and 12 points in 21 games, really noticeable with the eye test when you watched them, and the key is all the production was five-on-five. He was second among all Oilers forwards in five-on-five goals and third among forwards in five-on-five points behind only Draisaitl and McDavid. He was producing.”
Just as important as the production was the context in which it came.
“It would be one thing if Kane had been stapled next to Connor McDavid, and that’s why he was producing those numbers, but he was being slotted predominantly on the third line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, so his numbers weren’t boosted by riding the coattails of McDavid or Draisaitl – and that matters. If you’re a contending team that wants to beef up your middle six, you can take solace in the fact that not only did Kane produce in the playoffs last year, but he did it in the kind of role they’d be asking him to play on the third line and find a way to move the needle. He already did.”
Harm also noted that Kane’s two-way play held up better than expected in that postseason run.
“He also held up defensively, which has always been a concern in his game, better than expected. It wasn’t a perfect postseason for him; he took some stupid, undisciplined offensive zone penalties during the Cup Final, but by and large, he was a legitimate difference maker. When you add the intangible of the game within the game, the toughness and physicality that may not be there for the Canucks right now, but you hope he can provide when the games start to mean more with higher stakes. That’s the selling point, and it’s an important one.”
From Vancouver’s perspective, the key is identifying the right buyer.
“The appeal of acquiring Kane is that there’s a chance he can help your top nine without costing a lot. What the Canucks are trying to do is identify teams and contenders who need top nine help but don’t have a lot of assets to give up – and maybe they have cap space. That’s the sweet spot.”
Harm pointed to one team in particular.
“The team that comes to mind for me is the Dallas Stars. They have multiple needs with their roster – a top-heavy group who, compared to last year, has lost a lot of their middle six forward depth. Tyler Seguin tore his ACL, and there’s a very slim chance he’s available for the playoffs. Mikael Granlund left in free agency, Marchment was traded, Dadonov was let go, so when you look at the Stars this year compared to last, they’re a lot thinner and are relying on guys like Sam Steel and Justin Hryckowian to play in top nine roles.”
That roster squeeze, combined with limited trade capital, creates a specific type of market.
“The Stars probably have three pieces they’re looking to add ahead of the deadline, and they’re asset-poor because of the Mikko Rantanen trade. They need to be searching for economical options – not necessarily the best player – looking for the bargain-bin value option in terms of the assets they give up and the value that player could provide if they hit. That’s where Kane represents a lottery ticket.”
For the Canucks, that’s the pitch: proven playoff production, middle-six versatility, and physical edge – all at a relatively modest acquisition cost. Whether that translates to a third-round pick or settles at a fourth may depend entirely on finding the right contender willing to take the swing.
You can watch the full segment below!
Sponsored by bet365

Canucks Conversation

Shows

Breaking News