Sharks’ Evander Kane Positioned on Unconditional Waivers With Intent to Terminate Contract – CBS San Francisco

SAN JOSE (AP) – The San Jose Sharks have unconditionally given up on striker Evander Kane with intent to terminate the remainder of his seven-year $ 49 million deal.

The Sharks said Saturday that they made the move because Kane violated COVID-19 protocols in the AHL, where he currently plays for the Barracuda. The termination of the contract will cost Kane approximately $ 22.9 million remaining from the contract signed in May 2018.

“We are aware of the Sharks’ decision to terminate Evander for contract termination,” said Kane’s agent Dan Milstein. “If he clarifies, we’ll file a complaint. The sharks do not have sufficient reasons to take this action. “

The NHLPA issued a statement on Twitter saying that the union also “intends to challenge such measures by filing a complaint”.

Shark’s left wing Evander Kane warms up before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights on May 12, 2021. (Matt Cohen via Getty Images)

The move ends a month-long saga of Kane’s status with the sharks. He faced allegations of gambling, deliberate loss of games he had wagered on, and sexual and physical abuse by the estranged Ms. Anna over the course of the summer.

The NHL investigated these allegations and found no evidence, but banned Kane from 21 games for filing a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. When the suspension was lifted in late November, the Sharks waived Kane and sent him to the AHL when he was not claimed.

Kane had eight points in five games with San Jose Barracuda in the AHL before being inducted into the AHL’s COVID-19 protocols on December 22nd.

“That surprised me as much as everyone else,” said coach Bob Boughner on Saturday before the team’s game in Philadelphia. “Of course it’s a management decision. I’ll say the same thing we’ve been dealing with here for a long time when his name comes up, it’s not really a focus of this group. We focus on the guys we have to move forward. “

The 30-year-old Kane scored 22 goals and 22 assists in 56 games for the Sharks last season. Kane has also played for the Atlanta / Winnipeg franchise and Buffalo since he was drafted fourth overall by the Thrashers in 2009.

“As head coach, would you perhaps want your best offensive player in the line-up? Of course, ”said Boughner. “But I understand the situation. Am I disappointed in him personally? Yes, that would be the case for everyone. For me it’s just business as usual. I can’t focus on that. I cannot go into that. Concentrate on what we have, not what we don’t. “

Kane has scored 264 goals and 242 assists in 769 career games.

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