Evander Kane is expected to be traded, and one Maple Leafs fit jumps off the page
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
According to NHL analyst Rick Dhaliwal, the Vancouver Canucks are seriously discussing moving Evander Kane this season as Toronto seeks top-six help.
Reports broke earlier this month that the Vancouver Canucks were looking to trade multiple veterans and get younger, and while the team still has time to turn things around, if they can't then they might decide to make some deals.
Among the veteran names who the team could discuss moving are Tyler Myers, Kiefer Sherwood, Teddy Blueger, and Derek Forbort among others.
But one name who has been brought up recently is veteran power forward Evander Kane, who the Canucks acquired earlier this offseason.
According to Rich Dhaliwal -- host of Donnie and Dhali, the Vancouver Canucks are very interested in parting ways with Kane.
Dhaliwal appeared on The Real Kyper and Bourne show recently, and also believes that it could end up being an inevitability that Kane gets dealt from Vancouver:
He's going to be moved here...He's one of the guys that's going to get moved there's no question.
While Dhaliwal is confident that Kane is going to be traded, there is no evidence that proves Vancouver is going to make a deal involving the 16-year veteran.
Why Evander Kane suddenly looks like a realistic match for Auston Matthews
Kane was brought over from the Edmonton Oilers are part of a salary dump where the Canucks gave up a 2025 fourth-round pick (David Lewandowski) but hasn't had the strongest of starts this year.
He's put up 11 points in 23 games (3 goals, 8 assists) but is a minus-5 and has already taken 36 PIM. The physicality is still there, but his defense has slipped and if Vancouver wants to get younger then trading a 34-year old is a good start.
A team who might be interested in Kane is the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they are looking for a way to add to their top-six, and bringing aboard a player who can give you 20-25 goals, 150 hits, and consistent playoff production is a fine way to do it.
What Kane would change immediately in Toronto's top six
Plus, it would give Auston Matthews someone who has a bit more stability and purpose in a top-six role, and he won't have to depend on a rotation of players, and he could have Kane and Knies alongside to create a physically dominating yet talented line.
A bonus is that Kane is a free agent after this season, and is only making a shade over $5-million, so in terms of being a fairly cheap rental he fits the bill.
Toronto wouldn't need to give away any premium pieces like Easton Cowan or Ben Danford to get a deal done either. If Vancouver wanted an NHL-ready talent then Toronto could part with a player like Matias Maccelli or Bobby McMann.
Both players are younger and cheaper than Kane, and Maccelli being a restricted free agent -- gives the Canucks more control this summer. McMann is unrestricted but won't earn a massive pay raise over his current $1.35-million deal.
So with Vancouver getting themselves prepared for a potential trade, if they wanted to deal Evander Kane, they at least have an interested party in the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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