Free Agent Profile: Evander Kane

More than bringing a grinder presence up the lineup, Kane could offer power-play upside even in his age-36 season. He scored six points on Vancouver’s second power-play unit last season – as one of six Canucks forwards with at least 100 minutes of ice time on the man advantage. Kane checked the same box in his 2023-24 season with the Edmonton Oilers, where he scored seven power-play points.

Kane does not represent a glistening free-agent gem. He is instead a lineup plug who could offer reasonable, top-nine depth for a team whose lineup may need shored up before the season kicks off. He is only two seasons removed from 24 goals and 44 points – and could offer moderate scoring upside with the help of playmaking linemates. This late into the summer, that upside could end up a shrewd addition.

Stats

2025-26: 71 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 31 PTS, -20, 92 PIMS, 171 shots, 16:25 ATOI, 59.3 CF%
Career: 1,001 GP, 339 G, 309 A, 648 PTS, -70, 1,278 PIMS, 3,419 shots, 18:32 ATOI, 53.4 CF%

Potential Suitors

Kane represents productive depth and will likely land on the third line for his next team. The Tampa Bay Lightning replaced the departure of Corey Perry with the addition of Ilya Mikheyev over the summer – but their lineup could still feature one of Zemgus Girgensons or Pontus Holmberg in the top-nine. Adding Kane could inject another goal-scorer into one of the league’s highest-scoring offenses, while maintaining the team’s tendency to lean on veterans. Tampa Bay also holds the advantage of wielding one of the league’s best penalty-kills, a perk that could support the addition of Kane.

The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers are all in need of additional scoring oomph in their top-nine, while sitting just below the salary cap ceiling. Kane could bring that added punch to playoff-bound – or, playoff-hopeful – squads at a bargain price. He could also be a prime candidate for a professional try-out contract should teams want to test him in their environment before committing to a full season.

Projected Contract

Kane’s mid-August availability and eligibility for performance bonuses on a one-year deal could both make him a relatively cheap addition for any potential suitors. Multiple one-year contracts have been handed out to players age-35 or older this summer. That includes future Hall-of-Famers like Claude Giroux and Alex Ovechkin, as well as career pillars like Jamie Benn. Of the bunch, Kane’s next deal is likely to compare to a longtime depth piece like Lars Eller, who signed a league-minimum contract with the Florida Panthers on July 1st. Eller will make $850K in base salary and can earn up to $250K in performance bonuses. Best case scenario would see Kane sign a deal comparable to Perry, who will earn a $1MM salary and upwards of $500K in bonuses with the Los Angeles Kings next season. That salary range would make Kane an easy addition to fit in for any team willing to take one more chance on the 2009 fourth-overall pick.