The Edmonton Oilers were asked if they were interested in bringing back Evander Kane, but they politely declined. The Vancouver Canucks reportedly recently reached out to the Oilers wanting to know if they were interested in reuniting with their former winger, and the answer was no thanks.
According to both Rick Dhaliwal and Tom Gazzola, that is not an idea they want to explore.
“My source in Edmonton told me the ship has sailed to the Oilers,” Dhaliwal revealed. Gazzola also appeared on a local radio station in Edmonton and said the Oilers have no desire to revisit that relationship. Kane’s time in Edmonton has come and gone.
It’s not clear what the Canucks offered or wanted, but the trade itself would have been difficult for the Oilers. Because the Canucks cannot retain salary in a direct deal with the Oilers, Edmonton would have taken on his full $5.125 million cap hit. Even if the Oilers return Andrew Mangiapane in the deal, the Oilers will add $1,525 to their books, which they can’t afford.
Not to mention that Kane (while not an immediate problem in Edmonton) has the type of personality that turns heads. He has said things publicly that have questioned coaches and his practice. He’s had a few mild run-ins with teammates, and he hasn’t always been healthy. Add all of these things together and the Oilers may not want another round against a declining player.
The Canucks acknowledged that they are in the midst of a rebuild, so Kane will be dumped for next to nothing. It just won’t be the Oilers who pick up the phone and agree to acquire the player or his contract.
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