Could the Vegas Golden Knights Target Evander Kane?

The Vegas Golden Knights Should Target Evander Kane

The Vegas Golden Knights are going to have to trade multiple players to get cap compliant, but that doesn’t mean they have to get rid of the talent. Even though Reilly Smith is a great leader in the locker room and brings a great all-around talent, he hasn’t quite produced this season the way we would’ve hoped. Same goes for Evgenii Dadonov.

Evgenii Dadonov was supposed to be the a key player for the Vegas Golden Knights, but he hasn’t been playing like people expected. As a player who has been scoring 20+ goals consistently for the last couple years, they thought that’s what they were going to get from him. That is not the case.

As for Alec Martinez, he just hasn’t played much. He’s been dealing with injuries since the beginning of the season. Only playing in 11 games this season for the Vegas Golden Knights, his relevancy hasn’t been a impact or a thought for most fans this season.

So, that brings me to the reason why I’m writing this article- Evander Kane.

You may ask- why Evander Kane? or maybe your a little bit more enraged and saying you don’t want him anywhere near the Vegas Golden Knights locker room. Quite frankly, I understand it. However, just hear me out.

Why the Vegas Golden Knights Should Sign Evander Kane

If the Vegas Golden Knights trade away both Reilly Smith and Evgenii Dadonov in order to get themselves under the cap, they will be looking a lot less powerful because they’d be missing out of the depth that makes them so good. That’s where the trade for Evander Kane would come into play.

So after trading away both Reilly Smith and Dadonov their lineup would probably look something like this;

Forwards

Mark Stone-Jack Eichel-Max Pacioretty

Jonathan Marchessault-William Karlsson-Keegan Kolesar

Mattias Janmark-Chandler Stephenson-Nicolas Roy

William Carrier-Nolan Patrick-Michael Amadio

So, you can see that it’s a decent lineup because you have some decent depth at all positions, but it’s still not great. When you have to face teams as talented as the Maple Leafs, Avalanche, Oilers, Flames, and Blues, it’s hard to think that line can compete with those. I mean, don’t get me wrong, the first line is very very good, but compared to what the Knights have now, it’s not nearly as good. That’s where Evander Kane comes into play.

Now, trust me- I know the risk that they’d be taking if they signed him, but I feel it’s worth the risk. Kane is undeniably a talented player on the ice, but he needs help off the ice. With a terrible history, and blatant signs of immaturity he’s known as one of the most toxic players in the locker room. However, after hitting rock bottom, he could be ready to finally mature and make a change in his life.

So, if Kelley McCrimmon and Pete DeBoer feel like they have a tight knit locker room and that they are close enough to keep him in check, he’d be a great addition to a team already as talented as the Vegas Golden Knights are. In case you’re having a hard time picturing it, take a look.

Forwards

Mark Stone-Jack Eichel-Max Pacioretty

Jonathan Marchessault-William Karlsson-Evander Kane

Keegan Kolesar-Chandler Stephenson-Nicolas Roy

William Carrier-Nolan Patrick-Mattias Janmark

Now, after taking a look at the previous lineup I complied, I feel it’s safe to say the second lineup tops the first. With a lineup of Stone, Eichel, and Pacioretty then follow that with a lineup consisting of Marchessault, Karlsson, and Kane. Those are two lines that could be first lines for just about any team out there.

Once again, I understand signing Kane would be a huge risk but It’s worth the risk when you have the ability to get a player as talented as him.