Evander Kane’s early destinations before the 2026 NHL trade deadline

The The Vancouver Canucks have already made some big trades this season to start rebuilding. With one of the worst records in hockey, a fire sale in the coming weeks is almost certain. The Canucks should shop Evander Kane in the NHL trade deadline in March, and these three candidates are the best fit.

Kane has a reputation in the NHL for not being the best player in the locker room. From the assault charges to the gambling bankruptcy in his career, there are plenty of reasons why a team wouldn’t want to bring him in. For example, his gambling past has the Vegas Golden Knights in bad shape, and a return to the Buffalo Sabers is unlikely due to a legal incident at a bar in Western New York.

Which teams should take a chance on Kane to try to make the playoffs this spring?

The Anaheim Ducks they can risk Evander Kane

With all the personal issues, many teams took a chance on Kane because he can score. He scored 42 points in 68 playoff games with the Edmonton Oilers over the past four seasons. Even after their recent slump, the Anaheim Ducks are in third place in the Pacific Division. With a young, unproven core, they could use a veteran to add to their depth.

The Ducks have enough cap space to fit all of Kane’s $5.125 million in cap space on their books and have the draft picks to get the job done. But Kane’s 16-team roster could get in the way. Many players use that list to block high tax areas of the country, which is California. But with just a few weeks left on his contract, Kane could ignore that to get a shot against the Oilers in the playoffs.

In addition, the The Ducks hired Joel Quenneville as their head coach in the offseason. He worked with Stan Bowman when both were with the Chicago Blackhawks. Bowman was the GM who brought Kane to Edmonton after the gambling charges were cleared

The pressure is mounting in Carolina

In seven seasons as head coach Carolina HurricanesRod Brind’Amour made the playoffs seven times. They even reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times, but in those three attempts they won only one game. They cannot afford another second round exit, especially in the weak Metropolitan Division. Adding Kane to the wing would give them the score they desperately need.

The Hurricanes have cap space and they have some additional picks still remaining from the Miko Rantanen deal. While Kane won’t cost a first-rounder, the Hurricanes can rely on their extra draft picks, unlike other division leaders. Adding centers should be a priority in the deadline, but there won’t be many available. Kane is a strong bargain candidate who should waive his clause to chase a Stanley Cup in Carolina.

The Utah Mammoth make a push to the Stanley Cup

After an incredible early season run, the Utah Mammoths have faded away in recent months. Entering action on Sunday, they hold the top spot in the Wild Card by three points over the Los Angeles Kings. Adding at the deadline will be necessary for Mammoth, who has a ton of extra draft picks from his Coyote days.

The Mammoth have some veteran leaders in the locker room that should make the addition of Kane a seamless one. With Stanley Cup champion Mikhail Sergachev and Nate Schmidt in the room, they have the infrastructure to add Kane. Scoring ranks first in the playoffs, and the Mammoths don’t have enough without Logan Cooley. Although the center is expected to return soon, they need to add more by the deadline.

Why would the Canucks trade Evander Kane?

Trading Evander Kane is a necessary next step in their rebuild. They won’t get a first-round pick for him, but if they can improve on the fourth-round pick they paid, that would be a great move.

Kane will hit free agency, and his 35th birthday comes before Opening Day in 2026-27. Then he could return to his hometown Canucks, after chasing the Stanley Cup, knowing they were headed for the basement. But before March 6, Vancouver should move him for a mid-round pick.