The Vancouver Canucks are coming off a rollercoaster NHL season, yet they wasted no time in getting themselves in another saga after trading for Evander Kane. As the former Edmonton Oilers forward arrives in Vancouver to join Elias Pettersson, general manager Patrik Allvin dropped a firm statement when addressing the uncertainty.
Vancouver knows it better than any other city: when it rains, it pours. After a drama-filled NHL campaign, many believed the Canucks would head in a completely different direction. But it doesn’t seem like they’re building a more Zen-like roster anytime soon.
Kane’s return to his hometown is a storyline all but lost in Vancouver’s fog. After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final defeats, the former Oiler will look to avenge them alongside Pettersson and the Canucks. It would be poetic if Kane rediscovered his best form in Van City, guiding his childhood team to its first-ever Stanley Cup. Still, that might be wishful thinking. The franchise has rolled the dice—now, it’s in the puck’s hands.
As Kane and Pettersson are set to share locker room and play together, much buzz has grown around Rogers Arena. However, those doubts are not found on Allvin’s head, who dropped a five-word statement laying the doubts to rest.
“The past is the past,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin stated, per Thomas Drance on X. “This gives us and gives [Kane] an opportunity to see if this is a long-term fit. [I hope that it is].”
High risk, high reward
Kane didn’t have a great performance in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. While he made sure to make his physicality felt on the ice, it ended up being more costly than helpful for Edmonton. Kane registered only one point in six games of the Final series. Meanwhile, he was assessed 32 penalty minutes throughout the decisive stage, including two game misconducts.
Now, the Canucks are trying their luck with the 33-year-old forward. Vancouver didn’t give much in return as they traded a fourth round pick for the veteran. However, the Oilers didn’t retain any percentage of the salary, so the Canucks will be taking Kane’s entire $5.125M cap-hit during the 2025-26 NHL season.
Do-or-die
The stakes are now ever-high in Vancouver. After last season’s rift between Pettersson and J.T. Miller, there is much suspense growing around the duo of Pettersson and Kane.
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It might turn into a great combo, but there’s also a very real chance it could blow up in Vancouver’s face. Still, after more than fifty years without hoisting the Stanley Cup, it might just be a risk worth taking.