The news that Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane had chosen to undergo surgery and miss the remainder of this NHL season was met with a fair amount of media cynicism.
Whether Kane made the decision in order to "stick it to the man" or not is entirely moot. Rumors and reports have swirled for some time that all is not right with Kane and the Jets and it seems almost a foregone conclusion that he's destined for a new hockey home next season.
While he can't help potential playoff teams this year, he's a big, talented power forward that nearly every NHL club should or would covet. In the wake of the recent issues, he has reportedly informed the team that he's no longer interested in remaining with the Jets.
"According to multiple sources close to the organization, TFP has learned that Kane has since informed the team and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff that he wants to be traded," a report from The Fourth Period reveals.
One team that has remained staunch in its pursuit of Kane despite the myriad goings-on around him and may see an opportunity now that the situation has worsened is the Montreal Canadiens.
The Habs have "expressed interest" in Kane repeatedly over the past couple of seasons and Montreal GM Marc Bergevin renewed those expressions of interest to Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff this week, according to a separate TFP report.
A variety of dispatches, most notably from Chris Johnston of TSN, have revealed that the price tag on Kane has dropped - something which may have been exacerbated by his decision to go under the knife.
The starting point for negotiations between the Jets and Habs, according to TFP, is center Lars Eller.
The big, third-liner is just 25 and has been quite productive in his role for the Canadiens. Since entering the NHL full-time in 2010-11, Eller has never participated in less than 77 games - other than the lockout-shortened 2012, of course. He has eight goals and seven assists in 45 games this year.
With Kane now on IR, a trade may not be consummated until the offseason, but with Bergevin always interested in adding size and grit to his forward corps, it's not hard to imagine Kane being a pretty good fit in Montreal long-term.
