3 Free Agency Fits for Evander Kane

Kane, who is 34 years old, played 71 games with the Vancouver Canucks last season, where he scored 13 goals and added 18 assists for 31 points. Throughout his career, spending time with the Canucks, Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, and Edmonton Oilers, he has played 1001 games, scoring 339 goals and adding 309 assists for 648 points.

Last season, Kane didn’t have a strong overall showing, but fighting back from a gruesome injury does that to someone. There is still likely some gas left in the tank for Kane, but he isn’t quite as reliable as he once was.

In this article, we take a quick look at three teams that make sense as a potential fit for Kane this offseason.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames aren’t going to be contending this season, and it doesn’t seem likely that they’re very close to pushing for a playoff spot anytime soon. With that in mind, the Flames could look to add veteran players on short-term deals and flip them at the trade deadline.

Kane is a perfect candidate for that. If he has a solid showing to start out the season, the Flames could flip him for a draft pick to a contending team look to add physicality and depth scoring to their middle-six forward group.

If Kane is willing to take a discount, he could be an even more attractive, since some teams will be looking for cost-effective players to help them push for a Stanley Cup.

Edmonton Oilers

Kane’s best hockey came during his time with the Edmonton Oilers, and while they have their forward group pretty much set at this point, bringing Kane back on a much more affordable deal isn’t entirely out of the question.

It’s no secret that the Oilers lack some physicality in their bottom-six forward group, and could benefit from someone who plays like Kane. They have Trent Frederic and Colton Dach who are expected to be playing that role next season, but there is a risk associated with Frederic after a disastrous 2025-26 campaign.

On a one-year deal, even if he came to training camp on a professional tryout (PTO), Kane could be someone who is a low-risk, high-reward signing. If he pans out, the Oilers get a cost-effective player who can help them down the playoff stretch. If he doesn’t, he can be placed on waivers where it won’t cost the Oilers anything.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers are clearly looking to add some forward help, which was made clear when they sent a massive offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks’ forward Leo Carlsson. While Kane might not be giving them the same production as Carlsson would’ve, they have enough money to take the risk on him and see if he can return to the player he once was.

Kane likely ends up getting a PTO somewhere in the NHL heading into training camp this season. His experience doesn’t go unnoticed by teams around the league, and seeing what he was able to do in the past will make him a prime candidate to earn another shot.

Time will tell who ends up giving him another shot, but I would be surprised if the veteran doesn’t at least get a PTO.

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