The Edmonton Oilers traded veteran forward Evander Kane to his hometown Vancouver Canucks on June 25.
In exchange for Kane, 33, the Oilers received a fourth-round pick (117th overall) in this weekend’s NHL draft.
Multiple outlets reported the Canucks will absorb Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit for 2025-26, the final season of his four-year, $20.5 million contract.
‘Evander is a physical power forward who will add some much-needed size and toughness to our group,’ Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. ‘We like the way he wins puck battles along the boards and handles himself in the dirty areas in front of the net. Evander moves well around the ice and has proven to be a productive goal scorer in the National Hockey League. We are excited to bring him back home to Vancouver and our staff looks forward to working with him this coming season.’
Before both teams officially announced the deal, Kane broke the news during the morning on social media.
‘As my time with the Edmonton Oilers has now come to a close, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the entire organization, my teammates, and the incredible community of Edmonton,’ Kane wrote on X. ‘To the Oilers Ownership,front office, coaching staff, and trainers — thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of such a respected and passionate franchise. Your support meant everything, and I’ll always be grateful for the chance to compete in the blue and orange. To my teammates — thank you for the battles, the friendships, and the memories.
‘I’ll always remember the playoff runs, the highs and lows, and the pride of going to war with a special group of guys. To the fans — thank you for embracing me and showing unwavering support throughout my time in Edmonton. Rogers Place was always electric, and I’m proud to have played in front of such a passionate hockey city. My family and I have built some incredible relationships that will last forever.
‘With that said, I’m incredibly excited for the next chapter of my career as I join the Canucks. It’s an honor to become part of an organization and team I grew up watching as a kid. Vancouver is a city that lives and breathes hockey, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of my hometown as I did many years ago as a Vancouver Giant. With appreciation, Evander Kane.’
Kane recorded 12 points (six goals, six assists) in 21 playoff games before the Oilers fell to the Florida Panthers in six games in the Stanley Cup Final.
He sat out the entire regular season while recovering from multiple surgeries. He had surgery on Sept. 20 to repair two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias and two torn lower abdominal muscles. He also had arthroscopic kneesurgery on Jan. 9.
Kane has totaled 617 points (326 goals, 291 assists) in 930 career regular-season games with the Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise (2009-15), Buffalo Sabres (2015-18), San Jose Sharks (2018-21) and Oilers. He was selected by theThrashers with the fourth overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft.