Winnipeg Jets

The Risk and Reward of Giving Evander Kane One More Chance

Evander Kane may not be done yet. A PTO with the Jets could give the veteran winger one more chance to prove he still belongs.

by
Old Prof
August 2, 2026

Evander Kane is one of those guys where you can’t totally count him out yet, even if the last chapter with the Vancouver Canucks didn’t look how hometown fans wanted. He’s a Vancouver native. He had some good stretches, and at the same time it felt like the overall results didn’t fully match the expectations. Now it sounds like the next move could be a professional tryout (PTO) situation, which feels like the kind of pathway that makes sense if a team thinks there’s still something there but doesn’t want to lock in a full deal.

Kane Is Older, But He’s Likely Not Over the Hill

Kane isn’t 25 anymore. He’s turning 35 in August, and after a full season with the Canucks, his numbers were solid rather than spectacular. Still, he ended up with 13 goals and 31 points in 71 games, which put him sixth on Vancouver in scoring. But he also brought the physical side. He had 92 penalty minutes, and he also put 171 shots on goal and continued to play meaningful minutes at 5-on-5.

So it’s not like he disappeared. It’s more like he needs the right team, the right role, and the right motivation to hit that “impact” level again.

Evander Kane traded to Dallas Stars? — Evander Kane

Why the Winnipeg Jets Might Be Interested

Here’s why a Jets-style move would be interesting. Kane has been a legitimate NHL player in the past, and the reason teams even talk about guys like him is that the skill set doesn’t just vanish overnight. He’s big, he can skate well enough, he plays with edge, and he’s got experience. He’s also only a couple years removed from an absolutely solid 24-goal season with Edmonton. That matters, because it suggests he can still find scoring. The Jets might use him in a role that fits him instead of asking him to do everything.

So could he come back on a PTO with Winnipeg? If the Jets believe they need depth, energy, veteran leadership, and some secondary scoring, Kane could be a low-risk, high-upside gamble. Winnipeg isn’t rebuilding. It’s looking for experienced players who can strengthen the lineup without requiring a long-term commitment.

If Kane Wants to Extend His Career, the Jets Might Be an Opportunity

The real question is whether he can accept a smaller role. If so, he could get more minutes in the right spots. There would be fewer demands and more buy-in on being a support piece instead of a star. If he buys in and looks hungry, he could earn more than people expect.

And if nothing else, a motivated Kane on a PTO is the kind of move that can still change a team’s season by filling the right role at the right time.