In the 29th of a 32 part series leading up to the start of the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season, we will look at the key off-season transactions made by all NHL organizations with an overall grade. Here are the Vancouver Canucks.
The Canucks only added one new face in the offseason. Left winger Evander Kane is coming home. The addition of the native of Vancouver, British Columbia could be considered a bit of a surprise transaction by Canucks management because of the risk. In recent years, Kane has to deal with legal issues and injuries.
Who has Evander Kane played for?
Kane has played for four NHL franchises in 15 seasons. He actually began his career with the Atlanta Thrashers and played two seasons in Georgia from 2009 to 2011, before the franchise moved to Winnipeg. Kane then was with the second version of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets for four seasons from 2011 to 2015. That was followed by four seasons with the San Jose Sharks, and the last four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers.
How did Kane get traded to Vancouver?
Kane was traded from the Oilers to the Canucks for a fourth round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The Oilers selected David Lewandowski of Germany with the 117th overall pick. Lewandowski played this past season with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League. It should be noted that the Oilers have done pretty well with another German in Leon Draisaitl.
What line would Kane be on in Vancouver?
Kane is projected to be on the Canucks second line. He would be playing alongside Filip Chytil and Jonathan Lekkerimaki.
Kane in 2024-25
It should be noted that Kane had various injuries in 2024-25, and did not play a regular season game. In the playoffs with the Oilers, Kane had six goals and six assists for 12 points in 21 games. He was a +4 with 44 penalty minutes, one power-play point, 47 shots on goal, 12 faceoff wins, seven blocked shots, 95 hits, three giveaways and 23 giveaways.
Canucks Offseason Grade
Kane has led the NHL in penalty minutes in the playoffs thrice and the regular season twice. Kane’s undisciplined penalties in the Stanley Cup Finals was one reason why the Oilers did not beat the Florida Panthers in the finals. That said, I have always been a huge fan of Kane’s play and consider him an excellent power forward. Bringing in Kane is a strong addition made by general manager Patrik Allvin. However, after missing the playoffs last season, Allvin should have done more. That is why the Canucks offseason grade is a C.
