Trading for Kane would be a risky move for any GM. If Kane pans out, he is the kind of player that can impose his will on a game. Physical, exceptional skater, and can (or could?) score at a 1st line clip.
Be the GM that trades and gets the guy mentioned above, and your name will be praised and your future more secure for a couple more years. Might even parlay that into an extension for yourself.
However, be the GM that trades a couple of valuable pieces, and get the selfish, entitled cancer that Kane is starting to be vilified for, and have him continue to under-perform and be a distraction for the team, and you can kiss your job goodbye in short order.
GMs are hesitant to make a deal bringing Kane in. Kane still has pretty good value out there (though I would have to assume it has dropped quite a lot). Have a year + of being the current Kane, and his value will take a huge plunge.
As for my personal take on him - I don't think you risk adding that distraction to a team. You don't risk it for a guy who seems to never play a full season, who hit 30 goals early on in his career and hasn't hit 20 since (or before). You pay a guy 6 million a year to score at a higher rate than he has, regardless of intangibles (and he is gritty). Does he have negative value? I don't think so. I do think that probably the biggest reason as to why he doesn't have negative value is that most GMs think "a change of scenery" might get this kid back on track.
I think there are only a handful of teams out there that can properly bring a guy like him into a locker room and have a shot at straightening him out. Teams like Chicago, LA, Pittsburgh, Anaheim. Teams with exceptional players who are strong leaders. Teams where he wouldn't be 'the guy', and 'the guy' (or guys) on the team are also very respected leaders, and coaches who won't hesitate to discipline him when necessary regardless of the possible consequences. I just don't see what would be so different in Calgary for Evander Kane, and I would hate to see the Flames giving up high-end assets on a 'hope' that he changes. If it doesn't pan out, his valuation will more than certainly see a very steep decline.
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