Armed with a full rotation for the first time since the very beginning of the season, the Toronto Blue Jays entered another measuring-stick stretch with the chance to assess how running five starters helps their pitching staff roll out.

The NHL’s trade season has arrived, and on Wednesday, two Pacific Division rivals made a swap.

The Edmonton Oilers traded veteran forward Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks, both teams announced.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was first to report the news.

Kane is in the final year of his contract, which has a $5.125 million cap hit.

In return, the Canucks are sending a 2025 fourth-round draft pick to the Oilers, who aren’t retaining any salary in the trade.

In a statement, Kane expressed gratitude to the Oilers organization and fanbase for his time in Edmonton.

“I want to take a moment to sincerely thank the entire organization, my teammates, and the incredible community of Edmonton. …Your support meant everything, and I’ll always be grateful for the chance to compete in the blue and orange,” Kane wrote. “To my teammates—thank you for the battles, the friendships, and the memories. I’ll always remember the playoff runs, the highs and lows, and the pride of going to war with a special group of guys.”

The 33-year-old missed all 82 games during the regular season, recovering from multiple surgeries. Following his 10-month absence, Kane would go on to score six goals and 12 points in the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Kane joined the Oilers in 2022 after his contract with the San Jose Sharks was terminated.

He would score 62 goals and 111 points in 161 games with the Oilers and added another 26 goals and 42 points in 68 playoff appearances. Through 930 career NHL games, he has 326 goals and 617 points after being drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009.

The Vancouver native returns home after playing his junior career in the WHL with the Giants.

“I’m incredibly excited for the next chapter of my career as I join the Canucks,” Kane said. “It’s an honour to become part of an organization and team I grew up watching as a kid. Vancouver is a city that lives and breathes hockey. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play in front of my hometown as I did many years ago as a Vancouver Giant.