With an investigation ongoing into allegations that he bet on NHL games, Evander Kane’s future with the San Jose Sharks isn’t clear. But it was long before that things started to deteriorate between the $7MM forward and his team. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic published an explosive piece today examining the situation in San Jose, reporting that “several key players” told the Sharks management that if Kane remained with the team, they didn’t want to stay.
Kurz writes that the Sharks did explore trading Kane earlier this offseason, but that obviously didn’t come to pass. Now with this new allegation, the reports of locker room turmoil and a bankruptcy case continuing in the background, the 30-year-old forward is “virtually untradeable.” Kane is currently signed through the 2024-25 season and holds a modified no-trade clause that allows him to list just three clubs he could be traded to. He also is coming off arguably his best season as a professional, with 22 goals and 49 points in 56 games.
- The Nashville Predators are approaching an arbitration hearing with starting goaltender Juuse Saros, scheduled for August 18. Adam Vingan of The Athletic breaks down the case that both sides have, but notes that Saros’ camp is looking for a long-term deal, while the Predators are hoping for a three to four-year contract if things can be worked out before the hearing. Saros truly broke out this season, finishing sixth in the Vezina Trophy voting and even receiving some Hart Trophy recognition, after posting a 21-11-1 record with a .927 save percentage. The 26-year-old goaltender is just a year away from unrestricted free agency, meaning any multi-year contract would be buying out almost exclusively UFA seasons. An arbitration ruling on the other hand could only be one year in length, taking him right to the open market next year.
- Elias Pettersson is another restricted free agent without a contract, but he doesn’t seem too worried about it. The Vancouver Canucks forward spoke to Uffe Bodin of Hockeysverige and explained that though the two sides are not in agreement on a deal yet, he’s confident they will find a solution. Pettersson also clearly indicated that he wants to be on a winning team, meaning if they want to keep him long-term, the Canucks better start making the playoffs more often.
I wonder if the players actually know Kane gambled on their games or they simply took the chance to get rid of him
tbh i think kane’s career is done, the dude already has a gambling problem now add in allegations that he pulled a rose and allegedly bet on his on sport. also his teammates don’t want him around, even if he beets the nhl betting thing it’s starting to sound like no one wants to play with him. imo if he wants to keep playing if he wins his betting case he needs to stfu and play and leave his bs at the door. the guy has all the talent in the world but it sounds like he lacks the talent in between the ears.
Wore out his welcome in Winnipeg. Look up the relationship he had with Byfuglien. Wore out his welcome in Buffalo. And now has apparently Wore out his welcome in San Jose. Hopefully the NHL finds him guilty of gambling on NHL games and bans him. Get this cancer out of the league.
I’m glad at least a few people here are as upset with Kane’s behavior as some were about the Canes signing DeAngelo. Wondering where the apoplectic anger from them over this latest Kane story is?
Maybe it’s not the behavior that caused them so much angst.
@wreckage even if he beats this betting case and the sharks find a way out of his contract unless kane takes a long hard look in the mirror his career is done at least in na. what gm in there right mind would pick kane up he is a distraction and a head case. imo if the dust settles and if it’s in his favor he would be lucky to get another nhl job even as a waterboy.
@Brodie if he beats the case vs the NHL, the Sharks only option is a buyout. As much as I wish for the NHL to ban him, if he isn’t, I am sure someone will pick him up. There is too much talent there to think his baggage isn’t worth it to some owner/GM who thinks they can change him.
@Gbear, Kane is a piece of work that does not deserve the opportunity to play in the greatest league in the world if he can’t behave himself off the ice. Same can be said for TDA. And it’s why pieces of crap like Steve Downie and Sean Avery were out of the league long before their expiry dates had reached.
@wreckage good point i completely forgot about that, the man can play and i definitely can see a rebuilding team taking a flyer on him if sj buys him out.
Seem to have it backwards. No one is defending Kane’s bad behavior while certain people were interested in excusing DeAngelo’s bad behavior for a certain reason.
No, what’s backwards is that those who went after DeAngelo’s behavior didn’t, until pointed out, show up to express the same angst over Kane. And you know exactly why that is.
The only “defense” of Kane at this stage is it is his estranged ex-wife made the accusation of betting on his own games. I would not take that at immediate face value. Not saying it isn’t possible or even probable, but when dealing with the “ex” anything could be said by either side.
Regardless, I felt San Jose were foolish to take him on, and here they are stuck with an absolute mess.
Bad attitudes in locker rooms are a clear indicator of an issue of personality.
@kar120c i would agree with your point about ex’s (and it’s a very valid argument) but kane filed for bankruptcy because of gambling. this time around it dose seem that there is something to her claim, i mean how dose someone making 7+ mil a year file for bankruptcy.
If Poile blows this negotiation with Saros, he surely then will be fired. Oh, who am I kidding, he’ll never be fired even if he signs a skating bear for 7 years and 8M per season. :/
I think you underrate the value of a skating bear
Talk about an enforcer
In Soviet Russia, skating bear signs you!
Skating bears tend to overstay their shifts…….and can be a bear to sit next to on a crowded bench. ;)