The Edmonton Oilers are getting to work early this off-season.
On Wednesday morning, both the team and Evander Kane announced that the veteran forward had been traded to the Vancouver Canucks. In return, Edmonton received a 2025 fourth-round pick and cleared $5.125 million in cap space.
Supporters of the Oilers and Canucks plenty to say online. Here’s how social media reacted to the trade:
“Streets will never forget your six-minute hatty against the fLames. Thanks for the memories Kaner, you’ll be missed.” — @Oilerfaninyyc via X
“Good luck Kaner. Thanks for being an amazing Oiler! Those playoff runs with you healthy were amazing. Sad to see you go and all the best in Vancouver.” — Keenan Sikora via X
“Really appreciated your constant commitment to the community over your time here. Vancouver will quickly notice how lucky they are to have you.” — @ryderfm via X
“My heart is actually broken. Evander Kane you were my 2nd favourite Oiler of all time and now you’re going to one of our biggest rivals. You will forever be an Edmonton Oiler and the city will miss you. Goodbye #91.” — @zkhofer44 via X
“Anyone who says bad trade doesn’t understand the concept of clearing cap space.” — Jason.Dundass via Instagram
“Would have loved to see a third round but not mad at this! Thanks for everything Kane! Best of luck in Van!” — @kayleigh1sarah via Instagram
“Good move overall. We will miss Kane for sure but the Oil need the cap space for other priorities. Can’t keep everyone…. Hate to think of a future without other key players but that’s the sad reality for every team not just our Oil. We still have a great offensive core, need to shore up our defence and goal tending if we are going to break thru and bring Stanley home while we have 97.” — Larry Andrea Klem via Facebook
“Cap dump 5+. Hopefully more to come. Who cares if it is the Canucks. They are not contenders at this point.” — David Martin via Facebook
Many Oilers fans understood the business side of the move, though a good portion expressed sadness about Kane’s departure. In his four seasons with the team, Kane became a fan favourite thanks to his physical presence, confidence, and goal-scoring touch. His involvement in the community through charity work also left a positive impression.
On the other side, Canucks fans had a very different response.
“So much for building a culture and improving the locker room vibes. Way to just gift the Oilers $5 million in cap space as well. What a well thought out move all around. I’m sure Quinn Hughes is fired up to babysit again.” — @HughesEnjoyer via X
“When you get the chance to get a locker room cancer who didn’t play a regular season game, is over 30, makes $5 million, adds to your abundance of meh wingers, won’t help the leadership, might help drive Quinn out of town, all while helping a division rival, you just have to do it.” — @ElliottWolfeJ via X
“I do think Evander Kane is a unique player, he’s very good at individual shot creation, very solid at in-zone offense, adds an element of physicality and swagger to a Canucks team lacking it. Maybe we can cash in on Kane on a contract year? Please go get Marco Rossi now.” — @NiqhilVelji via X
“I wouldn’t have taken on the Evander Kane contract, let alone the player himself, even if the Oilers had paid the Canucks. Truly dumbfounded from an ethical and professional level. The smell of desperation is rancid.” — @Memarzadeh via X
“Evander Kane is locker room poison and I cannot believe the Canucks acquired him. Will do the exact opposite of fix a fractured and damaged team culture. I’m sure he’ll get along great with EP40 too. Brutal.” — @AndyCole1984 via X
Many of the negative reactions stem from Kane’s reputation during earlier stops in his career. In Edmonton, however, there was little public indication of locker room issues. Aside from a heated bench exchange with Corey Perry in April 2024, there were no significant reports of friction with teammates.
Back in Oil Country, the farewell messages continued.
“We’re going to miss you lots, Kaner! We truly loved your time in Edmonton and I hoped you’d stayed in Oil Country. Thank you so much for your time, dedication and hard work on and off ice. I will always be one of your biggest fans! Wish you lots of success and a great season!” — @diegoprbarros via X
“If you look at his time solely as an Oiler, hard to not like Evander Kane’s impact. Big moment player. Put his past behind him and built a few brands and a family.” — @browndalorian via X
“I don’t understand the Oilers making this trade. Kane is a performer, he just had a couple stupid penalties.” — Glenn Vaags via Facebook
“Can’t understand all the Kane haters on here. Oilers have either traded or gave away any toughness they had and Evander is one of the only few players left that puts his body on the line. Please, no more wimps and Nancie’s as they don’t win cups.” — Brian Kirkham via Facebook
“Left us with some iconic moments and loved his time with us but $5 mil was too much. Make room!” — Travis Newman via Facebook
Evander Kane leaves Edmonton having made a lasting impression on a large portion of the fanbase.
Kane brought grit and edge to the lineup, which many fans saw as essential. But others pointed out that his salary no longer matched his production, particularly after missing the entire 2024-25 season due to injury.
Ultimately, the biggest win for the Oilers in this deal is cap flexibility. That space could help secure Evan Bouchard’s next contract and accommodate Leon Draisaitl’s upcoming extension for the 2025-26 season.
