Vancouver Canucks demote veteran forward Evander Kane
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
The Vancouver Canucks have demoted forward Evander Kane and unveiled their projected lineup & starting goaltender for tonight's game versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After dropping the first two games of their six-game road trip to the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings, the Vancouver Canucks are hoping to bounce back tonight on Hockey Night in Canada against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won six of their last eight contests.
Veteran forward Evander Kane has had a rough season thus far and is currently in a bit of a slump, with his last goal coming during the team's win on December 16th against the New York Rangers and last Saturday versus Boston, Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Adam Foote appeared to bench the 34-year-old in the third period.
"Evander Kane did not play the final 9:39 of the third period. Unless there's an injury, Foote looks to have benched the veteran forward." Tyson Cole of Canucks Army said.
Vancouver Canucks demote Evander Kane for Saturday's game versus Toronto Maple Leafs
The Vancouver Canucks hit the ice at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday for their morning skate and there were some noticeable changes to the forward group from Thursday night's loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Linus Karlsson, who has three points in five games in January, has been bumped up to the top line with Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk, while Liam Ohgren, acquired in the Quinn Hughes trade last month, has earned a promotion into the top-six and will be on a line tonight with Max Sasson and Brock Boeser.
Drew O'Connor, David Kampf and Kiefer Sherwood, who's name has been in the thick of trade rumors for the better part of the last month, make up the Canucks' third line this evening against the Maple Leafs.
As you've probably noticed by now, veteran forward Evander Kane has been demoted to the fourth line by Head Coach Adam Foote where he'll skate alongside Aatu Raty and Nils Hoglander.
Tonight's defensive pairings will see Marcus Pettersson with Filip Hronek as the top duo, Zeev Buium with Tyler Myers, while Elias Pettersson is slated to play alongside Tom Willander.
Thatcher Demko, who is coming off a tough loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night where he allowed four goals on 19 shots, is set to get his 20th start of the 2025-26 season.
"#Canucks took line rushes as follows in Toronto on Saturday morning:
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Karlsson
Öhgren-Sasson-Boeser
DOC-Kampf-Sherwood
Kane-Räty-Höglander
M. Pettersson-Hronek
Buium-Myers
D-Petey - Willander
Extras: Joseph, Bains
Red non-contact: Garland, Blueger, Chytil" Thomas Drance of The Athletic shared on social media this morning.
DeBrusk-Pettersson-Karlsson
Öhgren-Sasson-Boeser
DOC-Kampf-Sherwood
Kane-Räty-Höglander
M. Pettersson-Hronek
Buium-Myers
D-Petey - Willander
Extras: Joseph, Bains
Red non-contact: Garland, Blueger, Chytil" Thomas Drance of The Athletic shared on social media this morning.
Puck drop for tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs is set for 4 p.m. PT and can be viewed nationally across Canada on Sportsnet and CBC.
Also read on Vancouver Hockey Daily :
Big announcement made regarding Vancouver Canucks and the NHL's trade market
Big announcement made regarding Vancouver Canucks and the NHL's trade market
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 10|1742 ANSWERS Vancouver Canucks demote veteran forward Evander Kane Are you surprised Evander Kane has been demoted to the fourth line today? | ||
| Yes | 231 | 13.3 % |
| No | 1511 | 86.7 % |
| List of polls | ||