On the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks and Evander Kane …
Bob McKenzie: The Sabres and Canucks were talking about Evander Kane, but “it’s no longer being pursued.”
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Botchford thinks that Evander Kane would be “an awful fit in Vancouver.” Kane appears to have some issues dealing with the media in Buffalo, hard to image how things could go in Vancouver when things aren’t going well.
The Canucks are a team that is rebuilding and a trade for player like Kane is done by a team who is trying to win now.
So when the the general manager goes on the local sports radio station and suggests he wants to add a forward with “speed and skill” and may be willing to trade some of his young, defensive depth to do it, the first reaction is:
Really? Why? To try to finish 10th?
The second reaction is: It better not be for Kane.
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on WGR 550 yesterday morning talking about Sabres, Evander Kane and the Canucks potential interest.
“There’s a connection to the Vancouver Canucks,” said Dreger. “Bob McKenzie of TSN reported that earlier this week. I wouldn’t say that there’s anything imminent, but it’s one of those stories that we follow closely because it could happen relatively soon, a trade where Evander Kane goes to the Canucks. It could happen a month from now. It could happen at the trade deadline.”
“Or it may not happen at all,” he laughed.
“What we know is there has been connection between these two clubs. There was in the summer and we have reason to believe that, at least to some degree, that there’s been more recent discussion between the two.”
Dreger adds the Canucks need offense, so why wouldn’t they consider Kane. GM Jim Benning brought in Loui Eriksson and traded for Erik Gudbranson to try and put the Canucks in the playoff race, and it hasn’t worked so far.