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Evander Kane Opens Up on Why he Wanted to be Traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: NHL.
Forward Evander Kane opened up in an interview recently with the Edmonton Journal about why he wanted to be traded to the Vancouver Canucks this summer.
In late June, the Vancouver Canucks made a splash on the NHL's trade market, landing veteran forward Evander Kane in deal with the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers to help bolster their top-six.
Kane, who turns 34 next month, missed the entire 2024-25 regular season due to injury, but was able to return early on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and was a menace for the Edmonton Oilers, however he became a cap causality this summer and he really wanted to play in his hometown, Vancouver.
Evander Kane opens up on why he wanted to join Vancouver Canucks
This week, Evander Kane was interviewed by Steven Sandor of the Edmonton Journal where he discussed his time with the Edmonton Oilers, which included back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, as well as his decision to join the Vancouver Canucks.
The Vancouver native shared that it was a collaborative effort between himself, his agent and Edmonton Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman to find him a new team for the 2025-26 season and ultimately, he chose his hometown Canucks.
Kane sounded quite optimistic about Vancouver's chances this coming season, saying they had an off year during the 2024-25 campaign and that they'll bounce back and return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs next April.
"We played Vancouver in the second round in the first year we went to the Cup final. And we had to take them to Game 7, and we squeaked it out. Vancouver, only two years ago, they could have been in the final.
They were probably the toughest series, believe it or not, that whole playoff, including Florida. I mean, we got down three in Florida, but then we won three straight, right? Yeah. Canucks were probably our toughest series over that whole year.
If you look back at that, obviously they had a bit of an off year last year, I think that it's more than realistic to be back in the playoffs and be contending." Kane said.
They were probably the toughest series, believe it or not, that whole playoff, including Florida. I mean, we got down three in Florida, but then we won three straight, right? Yeah. Canucks were probably our toughest series over that whole year.
If you look back at that, obviously they had a bit of an off year last year, I think that it's more than realistic to be back in the playoffs and be contending." Kane said.
There's no question that Evander Kane is the type of player the Vancouver Canucks will need come playoff time, if they get there, as he's able to contribute offensively, play physical and get under the opponents' skin, although sometimes he can cross the line and take undisciplined penalties, which hopefully won't be the cause under new Head Coach Adam Foote.
It's also a big season for Kane as he enters a contract year, with him eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day 2026.
If Kane is going to cash in next summer, he'll need to have a strong season production-wise as he searches for the tenth 20+ goal campaign of his career in the National Hockey League.
Source: Edmonton Journal
Evander Kane one-on-one: On his last days an Oiler, race in hockey and why he chose the Canucks
Evander Kane one-on-one: On his last days an Oiler, race in hockey and why he chose the Canucks
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| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 2607 ANSWERS Evander Kane Opens Up on Why he Wanted to be Traded to the Vancouver Canucks Do you think Evander Kane will be able to contribute 20+ goals in his first season as a Vancouver Canuck? | ||
| Yes | 2185 | 83.8 % |
| No | 422 | 16.2 % |
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