This is what the Canucks are now willing to do to move Evander Kane

Evander Kane may have publicly denied the rumors, but league chatter continues to suggest the Vancouver Canucks are actively trying to move the veteran winger, and have been for some time.

According to insider Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks have been shopping Kane for months and are now open to retaining a portion of his salary if it helps facilitate a deal. Vancouver is believed to be seeking a third-round pick in return, with some salary retention included to make the contract more manageable for a contending team.

“If another team throws in an extra pick, maybe the Canucks retain, I don’t know; they’ve been trying to move this guy for two months,” Dhaliwal said this week.

Vancouver reportedly explored the idea of sending Kane back to Edmonton, but Oilers sources were quick to shut that down, insisting that chapter is firmly closed. Since then, Kane has been linked to several contenders, including the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, with the Los Angeles Kings also believed to have checked in on the veteran winger.

Multiple insiders have also revealed that Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been granted permission by the Canucks to help facilitate a trade, a clear signal that both camps motivated to move on. Still, finding the right fit hasn’t been easy.

Kane’s on-ice production hasn’t helped his trade value. He has nine goals and 24 points in 53 games this season, well below expectations. He’s also in the final year of his contract, carrying a $5.125-million cap hit, though he would be a pure rental for any team seeking toughness and playoff experience.

Add in his partial no-trade clause, which allows him to submit a list of 16 acceptable destinations, and his history of off-ice issues, and it’s clear why a deal hasn’t come together yet.

At this point, the Canucks appear willing to compromise financially, but the question remains whether a contender is willing to meet their price.