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Should the Ducks make a run at Evander Kane? |
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“Kane is a complex individual” - WWE V.P. Triple H; Nov 6, 2013
Of course in the WWE he was referring to the Big Red Monster, but if Triple H used Evander at the beginning of the quote, he still would have been right.
Judging by his recent comments, Evander Kane wants out of Winnipeg. He is a promising young talent with a 30-goal season under his belt. The question here is: Should the Ducks make an offer for him?
Tough question. In situations like these it is always good to list some pros and cons.
Pros
He is a veteran of five NHL seasons and he is just shy of 23 years old.
He scored 30 goals in the 2010-11 season.
He hits and hits. Kane averages 149 hits per season.
The Ducks could use a hard charging and skilled left wing on the top line.
His cap hit of $5.25M for the next four seasons is on the upper end of reasonable for a player of his age and talent.
His salary will comfortably fit under the cap.
He has never played on a really good NHL team in his career and he has the potential to take his game to another level.
The Ducks have assets to trade that Winnipeg could use.
Cons
He has a history of poor conduct off the ice.
He needs to “grow up” both off AND on the ice.
He has never played a full 82 games in any season.
The most points he has scored in an NHL season is 57.
If he doesn't pan out, four seasons at $5.25M per will be awfully pricey.
After recently adding a player with some baggage (Ryan Kesler), do the Ducks want to add more baggage?
After listing these pros and cons (and I'm sure many of you can and will add more) my conclusion is:
It depends on the price.
The market was set with a return of a high-end player and three prospects last season when Boston traded Tyler Seguin to Dallas. Right now that price is way too high. Ek has mentioned several times on his podcasts that the Jets are playing the situation perfectly and making it into a seller's market. I don't think the Ducks will pay what the Jets are asking for, nor should they. I do believe however that if the situation between Kane and his current employers worsens, the Jets will make a move sooner rather than later and at a somewhat lower cost than they are presently asking for.
The Ducks acquired Ryan Kesler without giving up too many assets. A package of say Etem, Sifverberg and Vatanen along with some exchange of draft picks is not unreasonable. The Ducks can easily afford to move those players with out a big disruption to team chemistry or blowing an unfathomable chunk out of their future. On the other side, Winnipeg gets three young and talented players that are up against a glass ceiling in Anaheim.
Again it wouldn't be enough to make the deal now, but the situation is fluid.
News and Notes
First Frederik Anderson comes out with a Lego Movie themed mask and now John Gibson follows suit with a Pac-Man inspired mask.
Former Duck Matthew Lombardi signed a two year contract with the Rangers.
Former Duck Peter Holland signed a two year contract with the Maple Leafs.
-Ed
Anaheim Ducks Blogger • 
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