Edmonton Oilers have acquired a 2025 fourth-round draft pick from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Evander Kane.

In a move that signals the end of a high-impact but often controversial chapter, the Edmonton Oilers have traded veteran forward Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The deal, officially announced by both organizations on Thursday morning, brings closure to Kane’s two-and-a-half-season tenure in Edmonton, during which he brought offensive firepower, physicality, and a fair share of headlines—on and off the ice.

The trade comes at a pivotal moment for both franchises. For the Oilers, it’s a step toward reshaping their forward group amid salary cap constraints and long-term roster planning. For the Canucks, it’s a calculated gamble on a veteran scorer with playoff pedigree and the kind of edge that has, at times, defined the Pacific Division battles between these two Western Canadian rivals.

Oilers General Manager Ken Holland acknowledged Kane’s contributions during his time in Edmonton but noted that the decision was driven by a broader organizational strategy.

“Evander was a big part of our team’s resurgence these past few years,” Holland said in a statement. “He brought toughness, scoring, and veteran presence. But as we look ahead to the next phase of our roster, this move gives us flexibility and opens the door for younger players in our system to take the next step.”

Kane, 32, signed with the Oilers in January 2022 after his contract was terminated by the San Jose Sharks due to a series of off-ice issues and league investigations. At the time, the decision by the Oilers to bring him in drew criticism from some quarters of the fanbase and media, but on the ice, Kane delivered. He quickly found chemistry with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, scoring 22 goals in just 43 regular-season games that season.

In the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Kane elevated his game even further, leading all players with 13 goals as the Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. His combination of speed, size, and snarl gave Edmonton a long-missing ingredient—a true power forward capable of dominating shifts and changing the tone of a game with a hit or a highlight-reel goal.

Over the course of three seasons, Kane played 135 regular-season games for the Oilers, registering 61 goals and 46 assists for 107 points. He also totaled 196 penalty minutes and was frequently deployed in top-six matchups against some of the league’s best defenders. Injuries limited his availability during portions of the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but when healthy, Kane remained a consistent physical presence with a proven finishing touch.

However, the relationship between player and team began to show signs of strain over the last year. Reports of internal tension, reduced ice time, and philosophical differences with the coaching staff circulated, even as Kane continued to produce at a respectable clip. In the 2024–25 season, Kane saw his role reduced to third-line minutes, a shift that reportedly frustrated the veteran winger.

With two years remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $5.125 million, Kane’s future in Edmonton was always going to be uncertain heading into the offseason. While some speculated the Oilers might look to buy out the remainder of his deal, Holland instead found a trade partner in Vancouver—one that believes the veteran still has gas in the tank and can contribute in a meaningful way.

“We’ve added a proven scorer who plays with an edge,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. “Evander brings playoff experience, physicality, and a level of competitiveness that we believe will complement our forward group. We’re excited to bring him into our locker room.”

For Vancouver, the acquisition is also about adding bite to a lineup that, despite a strong 2024 campaign, fell short in the postseason once again. With young talent like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes forming the team’s core, the Canucks are aiming to build a roster that can not only qualify for the playoffs but win rounds—and Kane, at his best, has shown he can be a force in that environment.

Kane’s reaction to the trade was characteristically confident.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said in a brief media availability. “I’ve always respected the Canucks’ organization. They’ve got a good thing going, and I’m here to win. Simple as that.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Edmonton fans, who largely embraced him despite his past controversies.

“They welcomed me. I’ll always appreciate that,” Kane said. “Playing with guys like Connor and Leon, competing in those playoff games, wearing that Oilers jersey—that meant something to me.”

The Oilers, for their part, will move forward with a forward corps that now includes a mix of elite skill and developing youth. With Kane’s departure, players like Dylan Holloway, Raphael Lavoie, and Xavier Bourgault may see expanded roles in the upcoming season. The deal also clears much-needed cap space that could be used to retain other key pieces or pursue depth additions in free agency.

Perhaps just as significantly, the fourth-round pick from Vancouver adds to Edmonton’s asset pool in what’s projected to be a deep and talented 2025 draft class. While the selection is unlikely to produce an immediate contributor, it gives the Oilers flexibility to make additional moves or add organizational depth.

“We didn’t make this move lightly,” Holland reiterated. “But we’re confident in the direction we’re going. Our leadership group is strong, our young players are ready, and we’re going to continue building around the core that’s brought us back to relevance.”

Kane’s departure also marks the end of one of the more polarizing tenures in recent Oilers history. Supporters pointed to his on-ice performance, his playoff heroics, and his fearlessness in tough matchups. Detractors questioned the decision to sign him in the first place and raised concerns about locker room dynamics and long-term chemistry.

In the end, both sides likely got what they needed. The Oilers got the physical scoring winger they lacked, and Kane got a second chance to reestablish his NHL reputation.

Now, as he begins a new chapter in Vancouver, Kane will try to prove once again that he can be a difference-maker on a contending team. Meanwhile, the Oilers will look to continue their evolution around the game’s brightest stars—and an increasingly well-rounded, unified roster.

What comes next for either side remains to be seen. But on this day, the transaction marks a moment of transition. A talented, polarizing player leaves a team with championship aspirations. A new city awaits. And the Oilers continue to chase the ultimate goal—with one less familiar name on the roster, but their eyes still firmly on the prize.