NHL News: Blue Jackets GM Waddell dodges key question on Evander Kane after Canucks-Oilers trade

The Columbus Blue Jackets are moving forward—and not backward. When newly appointed general manager Don Waddell was asked about the possibility of reuniting with former fourth-overall pick Evander Kane, the response was telling. No outright rejection, but no endorsement either.

Waddell, who drafted Kane in 2009 when he led the Atlanta Thrashers, praised the winger’s early career and professionalism during their time together. But in his current role, sentiment isn’t part of the equation. As Kane prepares for a new chapter with the Vancouver Canucks, Waddell made it clear the Blue Jackets are charting a different path.

“You wanted to make that deal,” Waddell said during an interview on The Cam & Strick Podcast. “But we all realize at some point it’s probably better just to remain the way it is.”

Why didn’t Waddell bring Kane to Columbus?

Despite their shared history, Waddell remained cautious. Kane’s early years in Atlanta showed promise—scoring 30 goals as a 20-year-old—but his career since then has been defined by both production and controversy. Off-ice headlines followed him from Winnipeg to Buffalo, San Jose, and most recently, Edmonton. While Waddell acknowledged they “always got along great,” his stance suggests Columbus had no interest in revisiting the past.

Evander Kane #91 with the Edmonton Oilers arrives for the game against the Florida Panthers in Game Four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 12, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

For the Blue Jackets, the priority is clear: stay focused on reshaping a roster without distractions. Kane, even with his playoff pedigree and physicality, wasn’t in the plans.

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What led Evander Kane to the Canucks?

After a complicated stint with the Oilers, Kane is heading back home. Edmonton moved the veteran forward to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick. While the return was modest, it allowed the Oilers to shed Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit as they look to extend core players like Evan Bouchard—and eventually, Connor McDavid.

Kane, now 33, had 12 points in 21 playoff games this past spring. Not elite, but respectable given he missed the regular season recovering from surgeries. Vancouver believes the local product still has value in a middle-six role. For Kane, it’s a chance to reset close to home—where the spotlight may be intense, but the opportunity is real.