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Kane clears waivers, contract terminated, grievance coming |
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Evander Kane cleared waivers today, clearing the final hurdle to allow the San Jose Sharks to terminate his contract for allegedly violating the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
Capfriendly.com, which keeps track of each team's salary cap situation, has already removed Kane from San Jose's roster. It says his contract was terminated.
The NHLPA has already announced on Twitter that it intends "to challenge such action by filing a grievance."
That involves the league and NHLPA officials agreeing on an arbitrator to hear arguments abut why the Sharks feel they have grounds to do take this action and Kane's union presenting reasons why it feels the termination of the contract is unjustified.
Regardless of the grievance outcome, people around the NHL are left wondering why Kane was willing to risk about $23 million in salary to leave quarantine.
Earlier this season, Kane was suspended 21 games by the NHL because he provided the Sharks with a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. After his suspension, Kane was sent to play for the Sharks' AHL team in San Jose. He tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 21 and was supposed to be quarantining locally.
According to Sportsnet.ca's Elliotte Friedman's reporting, caught a flight to Vancouver on Dec. 29, while in the 10-day AHL protocol. Obviously, whether Kane had the right to do that will be at the heart of the arguments.
Friedman also said there's a dispute between Kane and the team over when he was supposed to report back to San Jose Barracuda. The Sharks' allege Kane was supposed to return Dec. 31 and didn't show up until Jan. 6.
The backdrop of this situation is the Sharks have been trying to rid themselves of Kane's contract. His off-ice lifestyle has created tension. There was a news report in the offseason that Sharks players didn't want Kane back.
Kane was difficult to trade because he has a salary cap hit of $7 million this season and three more. Reportedly, the Sharks were willing to retain some of his salary. Teams were interested but no deal was made.
He was playing well in the AHL, registering eight points in five games.
If Kane doesn't get a favorable ruling on his grievance, he will lose his contract. But he will be an unrestricted free agent.
People around the hockey world believe he will get signed because Kane played well last season, producing 49 points in 56 games. He's a power forward, player who combines scoring ability with grit, size and tenaciousness. Players with that blend of ability are in short supply.
If the Sharks successfully terminate his contract, will Kane be able to match his previous salary? You would guess "no."
Regardless of the outcome, the best path forward for Kane would be if the NHLPA, or his family, or agent, or someone, can persuade him to seek counseling.
He is a good player. But he has history of making ba choices.
Kane isn't the only NHL player who doesn't like the league's COVID-19 protocol. Far from it Nothing wrong with that. But he's the only NHL player who risks so much to allegedly violate the rules. If a team is looking to get rid of you, you don't give them reason.
There is a big difference between not liking a policy and risking $23 million by violating it. That's not the action of a person thinking rationally.
How many times as he found himself in trouble with his teams? Everywhere he's been, there have been issues, some minor, some major, but always issues.
Clearly, Kane needs help sorting out his life choices. One would hope his next team will ask him to seek some assistance before he is inserted into the lineup.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
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