Edmonton Oilers trade Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks

Oilers trade Evander Kane to the Canucks, clearing salary cap space for next season

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Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane pauses while speaking during a news conference for the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals. Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

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Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) and Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) go after the puck during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Edmonton Oilers’ Evander Kane, left, talks to Adam Henrique before a faceoff during third period of Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers, in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Evander Kane is going home to play for the Vancouver Canucks after a trade from the Edmonton Oilers that helps the two-time defending Western Conference champions free up some much-needed salary cap space.

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Vancouver acquired Kane on Wednesday for the 117th pick in the upcoming NHL draft, taking on his entire $4 million salary. Edmonton clears $5.125 million off the cap, with Leon Draisaitl’s new contract taking effect and Evan Bouchard set for a raise of his own.

“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.”

The soon-to-be 34-year-old winger broke the news on social media that he had been traded, his agent soon confirmed it and the teams announced it not long after. He posted a lengthy message thanking the Oilers and saying he was looking forward to the next chapter of his career in his hometown in British Columbia.

Kane returned early in the playoffs after missing the entire regular season following multiple surgeries to repair a series of injuries and had six goals and six assists on Edmonton’s second consecutive run to the Stanley Cup Final. He took six minor penalties and led all players with 32 penalty minutes in the series loss to Florida.

“To my teammates — thank you for the battles, the friendships, and the memories,” Kane posted. “I’ll always remember the playoff runs, the highs and lows, and the pride of going to war with a special group of guys.”

Vancouver will be the fifth organization and sixth city for Kane, who was drafted by Atlanta, followed that franchise to Winnipeg and also has played for Buffalo and San Jose. He played at the junior level for the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants.

“It’s an honor to become part of an organization and team I grew up watching as a kid,” Kane said. “Vancouver is a city that lives and breathes hockey, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of my hometown.”

The fourth-round pick involved, originally Ottawa’s, is the same one the Oilers sent to the Canucks for Vasily Podkolzin last August.

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