Although recently traded Evander Kane has just one year remaining on his four-year, $20.5MM contract, the Canucks are eyeing him as a potential long-term asset beyond this season.
Per Thomas Drance of The Athletic, GM Patrik Allvin stated that in his estimation, Kane has matured over the past few years in Edmonton and is a candidate for a long-term deal in Vancouver. NHL.com’s Chris Faber adds that Allvin believes Kane’s physical presence will make the Canucks hard to play against.
“Every team is looking to be harder to play against and for us, with the group we have here, when a player like this comes available [at this] cost, we felt we have a chance to upgrade our top-nine [and] middle-six, and become a harder team to play against,” said Allvin.
The 33-year-old winger put up 24 goals, 44 points, and a staggering 250 hits in 77 games for the Oilers last season. He currently ranks 20th all-time with 2,216 career hits.
Elsewhere in the Pacific:
- The Canucks are interested in extending goalie Thatcher Demko, and TSN’s Darren Dreger said on Toronto 1050’s Overdrive that he believes an extension is more likely than a trade at this point. While Demko is coming off his worst NHL season (due in large part to injuries), posting an .889 save percentage in 23 games, he carries a career .910 save percentage and is still on the right side of 30. Demko has one year remaining on his $5MM AAV deal and is set for unrestricted free agency next year. While the Canucks extended goalie Kevin Lankinen to a five year, $22.5MM deal, Dreger believes the team is still interested in getting a deal done with Demko. “It made sense until recently that they would have to consider trading Demko. But I was told by a couple teams today that Demko is more or less off the market,” he said. While Dreger said he wouldn’t call a deal close or imminent, he does feel both sides are getting closer on a multi-year extension.
- Multiple teams are interested in trading for Los Angeles Kings’ forward Alex Turcotte, per Mayors Manor. While speculation has been ramping up surrounding defender Jordan Spence and forward Trevor Moore, Turcotte is an interesting name to monitor. While Turcotte, a former first-round pick, has underperformed so far in his career, he’s coming off a career-high 68 games played and 25 points, and he’s still just 24. The fifth-overall selection in the 2019 draft could benefit from a change of scenery.
Turcotte doesn’t need a change of scenery, what he needs is to stay healthy
Kane’s ‘maturity’ was on full display at the end of game 6.
Canucks want to extend Demko. Have an AHL goalie that won the Calder Cup. Giving Lankinen that contract for a Linsanity run was so ridiculous
Allvin wants to extend a 33 year old with an attitude? Sweet! Go Vancouver!!!!!
Allvin is completely clueless or lying to make Kane feel better
Easy to dunk on Kane but I’m hoping he can find some sense of home with VAN. Can’t say I agree with trying to extend him upfront but hopefully he can find his way oh home footing.
I wonder if he’ll shake any of his now former teammates hands before he leaves?
Vancouver makes some bizarre decisions
Why would Canucks go long term with Demko – when his health has been at best, part time? It would be a colossally dumb move, but when was the last time Canucks sold high on a player? Horvat?