San Jose Sharks acquire Evander Kane from Buffalo

The San Jose Sharks landed one of the biggest names available at the trade deadline, acquiring Evander Kane from the Buffalo Sabres.

San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson made a major splash at the NHL trade deadline, acquiring one of the top players available, Evander Kane. The Sharks sent a conditional 2019 first round pick, 2020 fourth round pick and prospect Dan O’Regan to Buffalo for the winger, per Pierre LeBrun:

Kane will instantly improve the Sharks’ offensive attack as they make a playoff push.

The Sharks are second in the Pacific Division as of Monday but are far from a lock to make the playoffs.

This season, Kane has 20 goals and 20 assists and will slot in on one of San Jose’s top two lines. Kane brings speed and physicality to a Sharks team that has struggled to score goals at times this year.

However, the Sharks gave up a lot to get Kane, who is a free agent at the end of the season. It is possible that the Sharks could re-sign Kane, who is looking to get a raise from the $5.25 million he is making now.

Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill had been shopping Kane for most of the season after the winger revealed that Buffalo had not offered him an extension.

The deal is similar to what St. Louis got earlier in the day from Winnipeg for Paul Statsny. The first-round pick Buffalo acquired is conditional on Kane re-signing. If Kane does not re-sign, the pick becomes a second-round pick in 2019.

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O’Regan has split his season between the Sharks and their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. In 19 NHL games this season, O’Regan has four assists. In the AHL, O’Regan has seven goals and 25 points in 31 games.

With Buffalo, O’Regan should see an increase in playing time and will be reunited with former college teammate Jack Eichel. The 24-year-old center was drafted in the fifth round of the 2012 draft.