New Forward Evander Kane on the Hot Seat in His First Season with the Vancouver Canucks
New Vancouver Canucks forward Evander Kane has plenty on his plate this coming season, and is clearly on the hot seat facing loads of pressure as he enters a contract year, hoping to cash in next summer.
The Vancouver Canucks made a splash on the trade market earlier this summer by bringing in a veteran presence and someone who can put the puck in the back of the next - Evander Kane from the Edmonton Oilers.
Kane, who is from Vancouver, is ecstatic that he was dealt to his hometown club, the team he grew up cheering for, but admitted it hasn't fully sunk in just yet that he's a Canuck and probably won't until he hits the ice for training camp.
"It probably hasn't even sunk in a hundred percent yet, just cause, you know, you haven't had a practice yet, you haven't gone out there and played a game in front of the hometown. So, you know, it's the middle of the summer and it's set in a little bit, but I think once training camp gets rolling and you actually get on the ice and start practicing and letting the hockey kind of take over, I think it'll sink in a little bit more and get to the know the guys a bit better." Kane said.
He added, "I'm excited for that. Obviously, being able to put on a Vancouver Canucks uniform is really special. I grew up watching the Canucks. Markus Naslund was my favorite Canuck growing up by far."
He added, "I'm excited for that. Obviously, being able to put on a Vancouver Canucks uniform is really special. I grew up watching the Canucks. Markus Naslund was my favorite Canuck growing up by far."
Evander Kane needs to have big year for the Vancouver Canucks
In an article on Canucks Army this week, David Quadrelli shared five players on the team's roster that he believes are facing the most pressure heading into the 2025-26 season.
Coming in at number two on his list is the aforementioned Evander Kane, who will be facing a ton of pressure and expectation by playing in front of the hometown crowd as he looks to have a strong year, which could in turn land him a big payday on July 1st, 2026, whether that be from the Canucks or another NHL club.
"Kane will be playing for what might be one final solid payday in his NHL career, and the winger certainly sounded hungry and motivated when he spoke about the opportunity following the trade. Add in the restless fanbase itching for winning hockey, the overall pressure of playing in a market like Vancouver - not to mention the hometown factor for Kane - and you've got a pressure-packed situation for Kane to be walking into for his first season as a Canuck." Quadrelli said.
Kane also hasn't played a ton of hockey since June 2024, as he missed the entire '24-25 regular season due to a couple of injuries that required surgery, but he returned in time to help the Oilers make it back to the Stanley Cup Final.
If Kane is able to find his stride early on in the 2025-26 season and can block out the outside noise that comes with playing in a market like Vancouver, he has a good chance of succeeding as a Canuck and hopefully, helping the team return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing out this year.
Source: Canucks Army/David Quadrelli
5 Canucks facing the most pressure heading into 2025-26
5 Canucks facing the most pressure heading into 2025-26
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
AOUT 14 | 1470 ANSWERS New Forward Evander Kane on the Hot Seat in His First Season with the Vancouver Canucks Do you think Evander Kane will remain with the Vancouver Canucks beyond the 2025-26 campaign? | ||
| Yes | 919 | 62.5 % |
| No | 551 | 37.5 % |
| List of polls | ||