The San Jose Sharks placed forward Evander Kane on unconditional waivers with the intent to terminate his contract for breaching his NHL standard player contract and for violation of the AHL’s COVID-19 protocols, the team said. Kane has played for the Barracuda, the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, this season.
Following the Sharks’ announcement, the NHL Players’ Association released a statement saying it is “looking into this matter.”
Kane, 30, joined the Barracuda in November after clearing waivers and being assigned to the AHL team. Prior to that, he was suspended for 21 games in October for violating the NHL and NHLPA’s COVID-19 protocols. He didn’t attend San Jose’s training camp while the league investigated him for possibly attempting to falsify his COVID-19 vaccination status and for an allegation by his estranged wife, Anna Kane, of domestic abuse in a divorce filing.
Kane was previously cleared in the league’s investigation into allegations that he gambled on NHL games.
In five games with the Barracuda, he recorded two goals and eight points. He’s been with the Sharks since 2018 after being traded from the Buffalo Sabres.
As a result of his contract termination, Kane would forfeit $22.8 million. He has a $7 million cap hit for this season, as well as for the following three years.
Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, had no comment when reached via text message.
(Photo: Brandon Magnus / NHLI via Getty Images)
