The San Jose Sharks have placed embattled winger Evander Kane on waivers Saturday for the purposes of terminating his contract. The team is alleging a “breach” of COVID protocols in the AHL. Should no one claim Kane, then the team intends to terminate his contract which was slated to run through the 2024-25 season.
Kane’s agent declined to comment following the announcement, and the Sharks have provided no further details beyond the organization’s intent to move on from Kane. The NHLPA was quick to point out that they will be filing a grievance on Kane’s behalf:
No stranger to off ice controversy, Kane has had a number of lawsuits and allegations levied against him over the past few seasons. In 2019 the Cosmopolitan brought forth a lawsuit alleging Kane owed them $500,000 in markers from a November incident. There were also several accusations of assault ranging from a 2014 incident in Vancouver, to misconduct during the summer of 2016 in Buffalo, to the recent allegations of domestic violence from his wife Anna in their ongoing divorce.
Then there were the allegations that Kane had wagered on his own games, though the NHL found no evidence to support the claims. These accusations were especially troubling because of Kane’s financial difficulties which resulted in him declaring bankruptcy in January 2021, having amassed over $26.8M in debt. Most recently the 30 year old was suspended for 21 games for “violation of, and lack of compliance with, the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 protocols” after numerous outlets accused Kane of submitting fake vaccine documents to the league.
While league sources indicated that the Sharks have a viable claim to terminate Kane “for cause”, they’ll be required to show proof that Kane willfully circumvented protocols and that it goes beyond an isolated incident:
Kane is a veteran of 769 NHL games, registering 506 career points (262G, 242A) though he has yet to play for the Sharks during the 2021-22 season. In 5 games with San Jose’s AHL team the Barracuda, Kane amassed 8pts (2G, 6A) however his most recent alleged breach of protocols was the final nail in the coffin in the fractured relationship between Kane and the Sharks organization.
With a slew of off-ice issues over the last year, and an AAV of $7M, it’s unlikely that there will be many suitors for the beleaguered winger.