Evander Kane has spent more than 16 seasons in the NHL, playing over 1,000 games and building a reputation as one of the league’s toughest power forwards.
The 35-year-old winger has played for the Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, and Vancouver Canucks. Throughout his career, Kane has been known for his physical style, scoring ability, and willingness to play on the edge.
But this offseason has brought a major change. More than a month into free agency, Kane is still waiting for an NHL contract.
Ex-Oilers Star Evander Kane Faces a Difficult NHL Market
Kane was once a highly sought-after player who carried a $7 million cap hit. Now, there appears to be little interest in giving him a guaranteed NHL contract.
That doesn’t necessarily mean his career is over, but it does show how much his market has changed.
According to Russian reporter Mikhail Zislis, KHL club Ak Bars Kazan has shown serious interest in bringing Kane to Russia. For Kane, however, the priority remains finding a way back into the NHL for a 17th season.
If that opportunity doesn’t come, the KHL could become a realistic alternative.
Why Kane’s Market Has Changed
Several factors have worked against Kane in recent years.
Injuries have played a major role. He missed the entire 2024-25 regular season with Edmonton while recovering from major surgery before being traded to Vancouver in June 2025.
His production also took a step back with the Canucks.
Kane finished the 2025-26 season with 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games. While those numbers aren’t disastrous, they aren’t enough to make teams overlook the concerns that come with signing a 35-year-old forward.
Kane has built his career on physical play and aggressive skating, but maintaining that style becomes increasingly difficult as players age.
Then there is the off-ice side of the equation.
Kane has been involved in several controversies throughout his career, including his 21-game NHL suspension during the 2021-22 season for violating the league’s COVID-19 protocol. He has also frequently been involved in public disputes with media members.
For teams looking to add veteran depth, those concerns can make Kane a more complicated option.
Kane could still get another chance if a team offers him a professional tryout during training camp. A strong preseason could allow him to prove that he still has something left to contribute.
But with most NHL rosters already taking shape, his options are becoming limited.
Facing a choice between accepting a minimal depth role in North America or taking a lucrative offer in Russia’s KHL, Evander Kane is confronting the reality that his era as a marquee NHL winger has come to a close.
