As the NHL trade deadline looms, the Vancouver Canucks are reportedly willing to make significant concessions to facilitate a trade involving veteran winger Evander Kane. With the Olympic roster freeze about to take effect, the Canucks are in sell mode and actively engaging in trade talks.

The Canucks' willingness to retain salary to move Kane signals a clear intention to maximize the return on the 34-year-old forward, who has a $5.1 million AAV (Average Annual Value) in the final year of his contract. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Canucks are hoping to receive at least a third-round pick in exchange for Kane and are open to retaining salary to sweeten the deal. Retaining 50% of Kane's salary would allow Vancouver to potentially acquire a mid-level prospect in addition to the draft pick.

Kane also possesses a 16-team no-trade list, granting him some control over his destination. His agent, Dan Milstein, has been granted permission to work with the Canucks to find a suitable trade partner.

Several teams have expressed interest in Kane, including the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Some Eastern Conference teams have also inquired about Kane's availability. A trade proposal by Michael DeRosa in Heavy.com suggested the Avalanche acquire Kane for a third-round pick in 2028 and a seventh-round pick in 2026, with Vancouver retaining 50% of his salary. The Los Angeles Kings have also been linked to Kane.

Kane's performance this season has been inconsistent, with nine goals and 25 points in 54 games. He is averaging 16:48 of ice time per game, including time on the Canucks' second power-play unit. Despite not living up to expectations, Kane could still be a valuable asset to a playoff contender seeking secondary scoring and physicality.

The Canucks' willingness to retain salary indicates they are prioritizing future assets over Kane's contributions for the remainder of the season. The team has already made significant trades, including Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild and Kiefer Sherwood to the San Jose Sharks, signaling a commitment to rebuilding. With the Olympic roster freeze approaching, the Canucks may be motivated to finalize a trade sooner rather than later. However, some believe a trade is more likely to occur after the Olympics.