Thank you for tuning into this edition of NHL Rumours, here at Last Word On Hockey. In this edition, the chatter will centre on a Vancouver Canucks forward who’s a prime trade candidate this season. This forward is purportedly on the radar of two contending Western Conference clubs. So, there could be some interesting competition to land this impending unrestricted free agent. So, let’s dive in.
NHL Rumours: Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars have Sights On Veteran Forward Evander Kane
Rumour: According to insider Kevin Weekes, the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars appear to be the frontrunners to land 34-year-old Vancouver Canucks Evander Kane at the trade deadline this season.
Per multiple sources, I’m told the @DallasStars and @Avalanche are among the likely destinations for @Canucks F Kane via potential trade. #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/HicMv0SB35
— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 23, 2026
Analysis: Both the Stars and the Avalanche have emerged as frontrunners for Kane, given their needs for depth scoring. That’s why NHL rumours involving Kane in Dallas and Colorado make sense. Both clubs have natural spots for the two-time 30-goal scorer in their forward groups.
Kane is in the final year of a four-year, $20.5 million deal originally signed with the Edmonton Oilers. However, the Oilers traded Kane this past summer to the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round draft pick.
Recently, NHL Rumours surrounding Kane have picked up amid the Canucks’ incipient rebuild. The club is looking to move out pretty much every impending UFA, as it did with Kiefer Sherwood earlier this month. Not to mention the Quinn Hughes trade, either. The assets acquired do show positives for the future of the club.
As for Kane, the veteran winger hasn’t had a bad season. However, he’s no longer the consistent 20+ goal scorer he once was. But he remains a solid middle-six option who offers plenty of grit and pugnacity.
Acquisition Cost for Kane Won’t Likely Be High
As for the acquisition cost, landing Kane shouldn’t be prohibitive for either team. Using Kiefer Sherwood as a comp, the San Jose Sharks paid two second-round picks and an AHL-level player for one of the hottest players on the market.
Considering that NHL Rumours suggest that Kane is not as hot as Sherwood, the Canucks may be lucky to get something like a second-rounder plus a prospect for Kane. That’s a price that the Stars and Avalanche could easily swing. Unless one of the two clubs overpays for Kane, the overall acquisition cost for Kane shouldn’t be over the moon.
With that said, there’s always a chance that another team drives up the price. It’s worth noting that NHL rumours can quickly shift due to injuries or other unforeseen situations. So, Dallas and Colorado fans should stay tuned as things could pick up sooner than expected.
That last point brings this conversation to the timing of a potential trade. There are about 11 days left until the February 4 roster freeze ahead of the Olympic break. That would be the first window for this trade to happen.
While the prevailing NHL Rumours have not attached a firm timeline for a Kane trade, the next week or so would be an initial period. After rosters unfreeze on February 22, teams will have about two weeks to sort out potential trades.
That might be the most realistic timeframe for Colorado or Dallas to land Kane. Unless another club gets trigger-happy sooner, Kane could be on the move much closer to the March 6 trade deadline, if not on that day.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
