The NHL concluded its investigation into Evander Kane and the circumstances under which he traveled across the U.S.-Canada border during the holiday period, clearing the way for Kane to sign with an NHL team.
Kane was terminated by the San Jose Sharks after he cleared waivers for violating his contract.
Kevin Weekes confirmed that Kane had agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million and a cap hit of $2 million. There is a no-move clause. Kane could make his debut this weekend.
Before that, we have a look at how Kane ended up in the city and what his addition could mean.
How did we get here?
Kane was still a member of the Sharks at the beginning of the season.
NHL players and support staff were told to be double-vaccinated for COVID-19, and the majority of the league was said to have complied, including Kane, who told TSN in an interview released on Thursday that he was vaccine before the Sharks training camp.
Kane is being investigated by the NHL over allegations that he used a fake vaccine card. Doing so would violate both Canadian and U.S. laws.
Kane was suspended for 21 games for violating the league's policy and using a fake vaccine passport. Kane released a statement saying he made a mistake, one I sincerely regret, and pledged to receive counseling to make better choices in the future.
Kane was placed on waivers when he finished serving his suspension. He was sent to the San Jose Barracuda. Kane tested positive for COVID-19 after just five games in the American Hockey League.
Kane was placed on waivers by the Sharks because they wanted to buy out his contract and he had violated the rules of the American Hockey League.
Kane was in the fourth season of a seven-year, $49 million pact and would lose $22.8 million from the rest of the deal. The NHLPA filed a complaint on his behalf.
What were the results of the Kane investigation?
Kane was investigated by the NHL for crossing from the U.S. into Canada while playing for the San Jose Barracuda.
Kane flew to Canada on December 29 after testing positive for Covid. Kane was in the 10-day AHL protocols, but there was a question about whether he had the required medical clearance. Kane was supposed to return on December 31, but he did not report until January 6.
Kane told TSN in an interview that the NHL was looking into whether he had crossed the border illegally into Canada. I had no issues going into Canada. He said he didn't understand how you cross the border illegally.
On Thursday, the NHL decided not to pursue any additional league-imposed discipline against Kane at the current time, clearing the way for him to sign with the Oilers.
The NHL said the investigation was done by a firm. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Mr. Kane knowingly made misrepresentations regarding his COVID-19 status or test results in connection with his international travel.
Kane has an issue with the Sharks over his dismissal. He is accused of breaching his standard player contract. The NHLPA filed a complaint on his behalf.
Kane has been the subject of a number of investigations over the past year. The NHL investigated allegations of domestic assault made by his estranged wife, Anna Kane, in a divorce filing. The allegations of domestic abuse made against Kane by his estranged wife could not be substantiated.
The league found no evidence that Kane bet on hockey, despite Anna Kane accusing him of doing so.
Kane was not invited to training camp due to the investigations.
Why would the team want Kane now?
Ken Holland was asked if he was targeting Kane to help the team. Holland said he had been in touch with Kane's agent, Dan Milstein, who is also a stalwart of Holland's teams from his days with the Detroit Red Wings.
Holland believes in second chances. We are all people. We all make mistakes. Some people make big mistakes. Some people make small mistakes. It is hard to be perfect. Everyone should be given a second chance once they do some things.
The off-ice issues could be put to rest, and Kane is a productive player. He scored 22 goals and 29 points in 56 games last season and has scored at least 20 goals in a full season for the last three years.
It has been difficult to find a consistent scorer in the city unless it has been from Leon Draisaitl. Only four of the team's players are in double digits in goals scored.
It's not an option for the Eskimos to miss the playoffs. Holland does not want to part with a first-round pick to get help at the trade deadline. Kane checks a couple of boxes, one of which is that he comes at a relatively inexpensive price, without having to give up any other assets, and has a high potential upside on the score sheet.
How will his game fit with the other two?
When asked about Kane potentially joining the Eskimos, McDavid raised some eyebrows.
Evander has had a lot of success over the last couple of years, but it is not something I look into much. I am not here to discuss the issues of the day. If fans don't like it or the media doesn't like it. It is what it is.
While shrugging off Kane's issues drew plenty of criticism toward the captain, McDavid is also staring at yet another failed season in orange and blue. He has only advanced to the second round of the playoffs once in his career, and that was 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 800-313-5780 Rightly or wrongly, his comments indicate his priority remains winning hockey games and bringing on whoever can help.
Kane would be a real asset to the center and would give him a lot of options. Same with Draisaitl. Kane has a proven track record of producing and both pivots need help from their linemates.
Kane wants to play for a team that is a contender. There isn't a lot of runway to do that at 30. To have a chance at skating with McDavid and Draisaitl, exploiting their considerable skill sets as they will his, has to be a dream scenario for Kane.
What are the salary-cap implications for the city?
Kane has a contract for the rest of the season. Kane has a cap hit of around $2.1 million according to the first report. It has a base salary of $750,000 and a signing bonus of $625,000.
The base salary and signing bonus do not add up to the total. Kane has an inflated cap hit since his contract contains a signing bonus and was signed after the season started, according to Cap Friendly. The deal was not signed by 5 pm. The cash due to Kane is $970,000.
The cap space for the Oilers was around $1.68 million. The salary can be moved around to create more space for him. It will be a challenge for the Eskimos to make any more moves around the trade deadline without sending salary back to their trading partner.
Kane has a full no-movement clause, something Holland is known for giving out as a general manager. Being Evander Kane is something of its own no-movement clause.
The teams that missed out on Kane have other options.
It was difficult to figure out the actual market for Kane's services. According to reports, every playoff contender in the league did some due diligence on him. Multiple reports stated that the Washington Caps and the Oilers were the teams left standing at the end of the process, and sources told ESPN last week that the deal was done.
San Jose's Tomas Hertl, Boston's Jake DeBrusk, and Arizona's Phil Kessel are all forwards who could be available at the trade deadline.
No one would be available at the trade deadline to bring Kane's baggage.
