Friday was an important day for the Oilers when it comes to winger Evander Kane. Not when it came to an injury update but rather his no-trade clause. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday (video link), Friday was when Kane’s full trade protection dropped to a partial no-trade clause. Sportsnet’s Mark Spector clarifies (Twitter link) that Kane can now block a trade to only 16 teams and his list has been submitted to Edmonton.
Now with a potential opening to try to trade him, both Friedman and Spector have noted that GM Stan Bowman is gauging the market with the 15 teams he can’t block a trade to.
Kane has yet to play this season. He was injured in last year’s playoff run and underwent abdominal surgery in the fall. He then had knee surgery in January with that injury popping up while recovering from the first procedure. In doing so, his timeline for his return was pushed back and remains murky.
As a result, Edmonton’s trade deadline approach remains up in the air. If Kane isn’t able to return, the Oilers can use his LTIR flexibility (presently around $5.1MM per PuckPedia) to try to add to their roster. But if it looks like he’s going to return or there remains uncertainty regarding his ability to return in the next seven weeks, then their hands are largely tied as they’re effectively capped out.
The 33-year-old is signed through next season at a $5.125MM cap charge so it’s not as if this is a situation where they’re looking at moving an injured player on an expiring contract. Given that and the injury uncertainty, it would be fair to say his market isn’t likely to be particularly robust.
On the other hand, Kane, when healthy, remains an effective power forward. He had 24 goals and 20 assists along with 250 hits in 77 games last season. The year before, he had 28 points in 41 contests in an injury-shortened campaign. When he’s in the lineup, Kane can be a quality contributor offensively while bringing plenty of physicality, attributes that are always appealing, especially at this time of year.
With that in mind, this likely isn’t a situation where Edmonton is going to be interested in paying a big premium to offload Kane’s contract and get out of LTIR. If he is able to return this season, it’s fair to say that they’d be counting on him to play a regular role right away and into the playoffs. But if there’s a way for them to get a lower-cost contributor back that opens up some options leading into Friday’s trade deadline, it’s something that Bowman will need to consider. Now that he knows which teams Kane be moved to, those conversations are underway.
That’s going to be pushing a boulder up the hill.
Unfortunately for him, he’s also a notorious locker room cancer.
Came here to say that.
Correct, and only reason we haven’t heard much about him lately is because he’s been away from the locker room.
Bait used to be believable.
Seriously If my g.m traded for him. He is fired. Oilers salary cap reasons. LOL. He became himself Mcdavid said get him out of here. It is not worth even Stanley Cup .Probably hitting casino has latest women in his life pregnant. Imagine he is a big Musk fan.
What I imagine is your IQ matches his jersey number.
…in San Jose of course.
Kane to Wabash Valley for future considerations
Gotta imagine he submits his 16 teams and leaves SJ Buf and Wpg off to expand that list. Then leave Van and CGY off for 2 more teams off as the Oilers won’t trade him to one of them.
IF we moved Rakell (similar salary to Kane) and EDM wanted to send us a first and a second or a first and 2 thirds, I’d take him.
But it would take that kind of package to be worth it.