Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff listening to offers

Evander Kane (via jets.nhl.com)

Just one day before the NHL Draft, trade rumors are swirling faster and faster. One rumor that has been thrown around for a while now is a trade that would bring Evander Kane to the Bruins. Supposedly, Kane has requested a trade in the past, but when Jets' General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke to the media today, he would neither confirm nor deny this rumor, stating:

“These kind of questions are really unfair,” he said. “There’s lots of conversations that go on [during the season]. Certainly there was levels of frustration at different points in time for individual players. From our standpoint, Evander is a Winnipeg Jet. There’s been lots of different rumors out there. At this point in time, this is how we’re going to proceed.”

Cheveldayoff also said that he would be willing to listen to offers on any of his players. If the price is right, he would move Evander Kane.

“From an organization standpoint, we’re going to listen to everybody. If there’s a [player on the Jets] that a team has an interest in, my phone is open for a phone call. But that shouldn’t be categorized that anything is imminent, or that I’ve got deals on the table, or not.”

If Peter Chiarelli was to make an offer for Kane, he would need to put together a package that would free up cap space, since the Bruins still have some free agents that need to be signed. Chiarelli already announced that he would not be moving Brad Marchand, but if he acquired Evander Kane, moving Marchand would make the most sense. Kane holds a $5.25 million cap hit, while Marchand holds a $4.5 million cap hit, so Chiarelli would need to include another player for cap relief. Depending on the Jets' needs, the Bruins could also add in a player like Adam McQuaid or Chris Kelly, which would allow them to add Kane while shredding some money off the cap.

Evander Kane was the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, and is a perfect fit for the Bruins. He is only 22 years old, and while some may argue he still has some maturing to do, has tremendous upside. He is fast, physical, and has that finisher's shot which the Bruins have been lacking.


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