A few pounds lighter

For all of the drama that Evander Kane caused while in Winnipeg, he was also a talented player that has the potential for 30 goals a season.  However, the last few weeks proved to be too much for both the Winnipeg Jets and Kane, as Kane was a healthy scratch for a recent game and Kane went on injured reserve a few days later and is out for the season.

That did not stop the Buffalo Sabres from picking him up in a trade, as the Jets and Sabres completed a major trade today.  The Sabres get Kane, Zach Bogosian, and a college goalie prospect while the Jets will get Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, prospects Joel Armia and Brendan Lemieux, and one of the Sabres' 1st round picks in this year's draft (no, it will not be their own pick).  The Sabres picked up Kane with an eye towards next season and presuming that the Sabres get either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, the Sabres will be a better team next season just with that prospect happening.  Bogosian and Myers changed places, and while neither guy has truly lived up to the hype of being first round picks in 2008 (Bogosian went 3rd overall and Myers went 12th overall), the change of scenery may benefit both players.  The Jets essentially get a rent-a-player in Stafford that can help in the team's push for a playoff berth, yet maintain an eye towards the future, as Armia and Lemieux are prospects that will challenge for a spot in a few years' time.  The first round pick the Jets will get is either going to be the pick they got from the Islanders (in the Thomas Vanek trade) or the one they got from the Blues (in the Ryan Miller trade).

Kane is an immense talent that has his share of issues, and it may or may not get better if Ted Nolan is still coach next season.  He will have some time to get acclimated to Buffalo and perhaps Nolan will be the guy to get the most out of him.  However, if the losses pile up, and it's likely, Kane's demeanor will bear watching next season.