Heading into last off-season the Edmonton Oilers were in a bit of a cap crunch with the previously signed contract extension of Leon Draisaitl kicking in and multiple players in need of extensions as well, including captain Connor McDavid and star defenceman Evan Bouchard set to become a restricted free agent.
This forced the team to have to restructure their depth, walking away from certain players in free agency like Jeff Skinner and Connor Brown, they also had deal a couple away to shed salary. They dealt forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a 2027 fifth round selection and Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks for a 2025 fourth round pick -- which the Oilers used to select David Lewandowski.
Now, it appears as if both players could find themselves on the trade block for their new teams.
Former Oilers could be on the move
The Bruins are in what is something of a cross between a retool and a full-on rebuild as they navigate the future. They have multiple core players that they seem keen to hang onto like David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman. However, they have already moved on from a number of veteran players in order to acquire picks and prospects, most notably trading long time Bruin Brad Marchand.
Now, as the 2026 NHL trade deadline approaches closer and closer, 32 year old winger Viktor Arvidsson makes sense as a player for the Bruins to sell. Through 36 games played this season, he has scored 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points.
On top of his impressive play this year, the veteran Swedish forward has 87 games of playoff experience, making him a valuable veteran addition to a team looking to acquire an offensive push down their lineup. He may even be able to be moved for more than what the Bruins pay, giving general manager Don Sweeney and company even more incentive to move on from Arvidsson.
Canucks may struggle to deal former Oilers forward
Despite just having acquired the hometown power forward in the off-season, the Canucks have reportedly struggled to move the 34 year old winger. Even going so far as to try and trade him back to the Oilers.
In 46 games with the Canucks this year, Kane has scored 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) and is on pace for the worst statistical season since his rookie year as an 18 year old. Although this is bound to happen for a player in their 30's, given his defensive deficiencies, currently holding one of the worst plus/minus stats on the team at minus-18.
Although it can be retained, his $5.125 million caphit is an issue that may make moving him even harder for the Canucks, who may be forced to move him for essentially what they paid to acquire him from the Oilers.
However, if a team gets desperate approaching the deadline, they may be willing to pay for Evander Kane at half-retained. Either way, we will have to wait and see.