Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell was asked about possibly acquiring Evander Kane prior to his trade to the Canucks, and he got awkward and sidestepped it. Asked if he would re-unite with Evander Kane, the fourth-overall pick he drafted way back in 2009, and Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell shifted uncomfortably in his chair. <a href='https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets-boss-awkwardly-sidesteps-question-steering-clear-former-oilers-forward-evander-kane/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>His response on the 'Half Coast Studios' interview that followed said it all</a>. You wanted to make that deal, Waddell said in a recent interview. But we all realize at some point it's probably better just to remain the way it is. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/halfcoaststudio/status/1950226007547335083'><div style='border:1px solid #CCCCCC;border-radius:10px;padding:20px;width:300px;'>Loading from Twitter ...</div></a></blockquote></div> It was an unspoken but clear sign that nostalgia would not trump caution. The history of Don Waddell and Evander Kane going together begins in Atlanta, where the 20-year-old forward exhibited star talent alongside Ilya Kovalchuk. At the age of 20, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canucks/player/evander-kane-8475169' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Kane</a> had a 30-goal season, being top-pick worthy. Things soon dissipated. Off-ice problems and streaky hockey followed Kane from Atlanta to Winnipeg, Buffalo, San Jose, and then Edmonton. Controversy had become the main story. Waddell demonstrated that Columbus is going the direct opposite way with regard to their future surrounding Kane. They do not have an interest, despite Waddell admitting Kane has talent. We drafted him as an 18-year-old player, and he had a great start to his career right off the bat. Always with me, he was very professional and very good. I've seen him throughout the years and always talked to him; I got along great with him, Waddell said. Kane's Edmonton exit was never really in doubt. Having missed much of the regular season after undergoing surgery, he played through the playoffs and had 12 points in 21 games, which was a pretty good tally under the conditions. <h3>Edmonton No Longer Had Space to Keep Kane's Salary Under the Cap</h3> He got traded because of the salary cap, not necessarily his play. Edmonton, with very little cap room and huge re-signings on the horizon, such as Connor McDavid and recently Evan Bouchard, could not afford the presence of Kane's $5.125 million salary. So they made the trade with the Vancouver Canucks <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/evander-kane-opens-up-about-the-opportunity-to-return-to-vancouver-and-live-out-his-childhood-dreams' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>and shipped the homegrown winger back to the province of British Columbia.</a> Edmonton got back a fourth-round pick, which was a decent return for a guy with only one year left on contract, as well as the salary cap savings.