Rumor: A former 30-goal scorer could get traded!

This is a possibility that is getting more and more plausible.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumor: A former 30-goal scorer could get traded!
Keystone Press

Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane seems to always find himself in the headlines during the offseason. His journey from Atlanta to Winnipeg to Buffalo is littered with trade rumors, team suspensions, scandalous social media interactions and a criminal investigation. This offseason, the 25 year-old finds himself in the middle of yet another trade rumor. 

NBC Sports writer Mike Halford talked about the possibility that Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill sign and trade Kane, who is heading into the last of a six-year, $31.5 million contract:

"The thinking is that Kane’s trade value is diminished somewhat due to the expiring contract, so what if there was more security? Botterill could, in theory, get an extension signed, then move Kane (who doesn’t have a NMC or NTC). The acquiring team would have more cost certainty this way and know the term."

Halford also said that if Botterill decided to move Kane, he needs to get something valuable in return and think about how his loss would impact the team's offensive production, even though the Sabres have some great forwards:

"Kane has talented running mates in [Jack] Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Kyle Opkoso and Sam Reinhart, who almost have to be healthier than last year. Combined, that quintet missed over 60 games to injury."

The 26-year-old winger played 496 career NHL games, in which he recorded 157 goals and 143 assists for exactly 300 points. He scored 28 goals last season, his best production since 2011-12. He has never played a playoff game.

Source: NBC Sports