The Vancouver Canucks’ rebuild has officially accelerated. Following the massive Quinn Hughes blockbuster last month, the focus has shifted to pending unrestricted free agents, and one name is generating significant heat on the market: Evander Kane.
According to a breaking report from NHL insider Kevin Weekes, both the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche have expressed serious interest in acquiring the veteran forward.
Why Kane? And why now? Despite Vancouver’s struggles, Kane has quietly proven he can still be a reliable asset. He has missed only one game this season, alleviating the health concerns that plagued him in previous years. While his production (9 goals, 23 points in 50 games) isn’t elite, contenders aren’t buying him for the regular season stats. They are buying him for the “playoff grit”—that rare blend of physicality, experience (approaching 1,000 games), and the ability to drag teammates into the fight when the games get nasty.
With a $5.125M cap hit, Kane is a pure rental. The Canucks know they have to retain 50% of that salary to make a deal work, effectively buying a better draft pick in the process.
Analyzing the Trade Package: What Dallas and Colorado Must Pay
If General Manager Patrik Allvin pulls the trigger, he isn’t just looking to dump salary; he wants assets that aid the rebuild. Here is what the return looks like from both potential suitors.
The Dallas Stars Scenario
The Stars are hunting for middle-six depth to fortify a deep playoff run. While they are tighter against the cap (~$3.2M available) than Colorado, they hold the cards when it comes to draft capital. Dallas possesses two 2nd-round picks and a 3rd-round pick in the next two drafts.
- The Likely Package: A 2nd Round Pick (2026 or 2027) plus a mid-to-late round sweetener (4th/5th round).
- Expert Insight: Dallas has the “currency” to win a bidding war. If they want Kane’s edge for the postseason, they can afford to overpay slightly in draft picks because their prospect pool is already stable.
The Colorado Avalanche Scenario
Colorado is in a different boat. They have more projected deadline cap space (~$5M) but their draft cupboard is significantly barer. They only hold two 2nd-round picks in 2027 and lack immediate high-end draft capital.
- The Likely Package: A 2027 2nd Round Pick plus a B-level prospect.
- Expert Insight: The Avs might try to use their cap space leverage to take on more of Kane’s contract to lower the acquisition cost. However, Vancouver’s priority is maximizing the return asset. If Colorado refuses to move a 2nd rounder, look for a deal involving a 3rd Round Pick + a prospect who is NHL-ready but blocked on the Avalanche depth chart.
The Verdict
The Canucks have set the market price. After securing two 2nd-round picks for Kiefer Sherwood, anything less than a 2nd-round equivalent for a retained Evander Kane would be a disappointment. The Stars look like the more natural trade partner given their assets, but never count out Colorado when they smell another Cup run.
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