With the trade deadline quickly approaching, we will be profiling several players in the weeks ahead that are likely to be dealt by March 1st.
Evander Kane is one of the game’s gifted talents, but has been a lightning rod for criticism both on and off the ice. From his arrest in Buffalo last July to what Buffalo News scribe Mike Harrington called “shenanigans” in Winnipeg, Kane could be a catch for a team, but come with a “buyer beware” for his past issues.
Contract
Kane is in year five of a six-year, $31.5MM deal. With an AAV of $5.25MM, he would carry a hefty hit for a contender looking to add him.
2016-17
Harrington describes Kane as “an absolute beast.” Though sidelined by injury this season, Kane has played well in the 45 games he’s appeared in. Kane has been complimented for his game by general manager Tim Murray according to a report from WGR 550. Despite rumors that Vancouver was chasing him back in November, it turned out that he would stay put as Vancouver backed off. With each passing day, the Buffalo forward seems less and less likely to be dealt.
Season Stats
45 GP, 18 G, 10 A, 28 Pts, -9, 79 PIM, 46.9 CF% 18:48 ATOI
Suitors
The cap hit and strong play makes Kane’s value difficult to gauge in terms of where he would land. Buffalo could take some of the salary back, but unless it was a significant return, that seems unlikely. Based on CapFriendly, it would have to be a trade that would offset assets from the other team to balance it financially. The Rangers could be a potential target but with several players due raises next season, it would be too tough financially to massage a deal. Another option? The Blue Jackets, though again, unlikely. While they have the cap room and having another scorer like Kane on the roster would boost their depth in a competitive Metropolitan Division, the logistics of such a trade seem unlikely. The Wild were rumored months ago to be interested, but that chatter never amounted to anything.
Likelihood Of A Trade
Though Kane is playing well and would be an upgrade for any team, it just doesn’t make sense financially for a move and further, why would the Sabres give up on him now? They rode out the storm from last year’s arrest and seeing that this season is already a wash, why not give it one more try next year? The possibility for a trade would be far more likely next season, when the Sabres could wash their hands of the contract, absorb dollars in what would be the final year of his deal, and potentially snag some prospects or a high draft pick in exchange. Until then, it looks like Kane should stay put.
Kane is a talented dude when he wants to be. That said, I have no idea why anyone would want to trade assets away to acquire such a risk in the lockerroom. Winnipeg dumped him for a reason. Buffalo seems to have figured out why Winnipeg dumped him. If he was a good guy, why would a team like Buffalo want to dump him? You would think they would want to keep him.
I watch the Sabres almost every game. Kane just arrived 2 years ago in a trade w/Winnipeg. I can’t see the Sabres trading him, since he just arrived, & has 22 goals this season. He has got in the 30’s range w/the Jets, & has the ability to that again this season, & 1’s to come. Give this guy a chance in Buffalo! He may have been accused of 1 crime since here, but so was Ryan O’Reilly w/a DWI here last year. The rest of Kane’s problems were false accusations. Desperate poor women need $, so pick on the rich people. There was never actual proof, like: audio, video, &/or DNA, so women : leave him alone, get a job, or go after your exes or family for $! The Sabres were always accused by the media, by not having a great scoring team, & not tough enough; Kane provides both! Murray should not be like another Regier, & get rid of all the high scorers (Drury, Briere, Vanek, Pominville, & Campbell); he could’ve kept 2 or 3. Murray can sign Kane to a 3 year contract in 2018 (contract expires then), then take the talks from there each season, until someone is willing to trade a good player away for him.
As far as Gionta, Brian made it clear to Murray, he wants to stay, so sign him to 1 year deals.
As far as Kulikov, package him up w/2 prospects (forwards) & a pick for a great offensive D-man, & a minor-leaguer who’s ready to be called up (time-to-time) to provide offensive spark.
Franson to be signed to a 1-3 year deal, in case this offensive D-man fizzles or gets injury-proned. Cody is their next best offensive blue-liner, after Risto. McCabe was suppose to be that, but failed miserably, & turned into a checker. If that new D-man turns out great,, then trade Cody.